Question

There are strict laws in place regarding the dumping of waste, in part to avoid the possibility that drinking water supplies will become contaminated. Which answer choice best describes the connotation of the word contaminated, and why it is connotated this way? It contains a positive connotation because when something is contaminated, it contains a harmless substance. It contains a positive connotation because when something is contaminated, it contains a beneficial substance. It contains a negative connotation because when something is contaminated, it contains a harmful substance. It contains a negative connotation because when something is contaminated, it contains an unknown substance.

Answer 1

The answer is indeed letter c. It contains a negative connotation because when something is contaminated, it contains a harmful substance.

Step-by-step explanation:

To contaminate means to make something impure by exposing it to (or adding to it) a polluting substance. In other words, if something is contaminated, it is now polluted and has harmful effects. In the sentence we are studying here, the author is talking about the laws that regulate the dumping of waste. If done wrong, it can pollute drinking water supplies, making such water improper for human consumption due to its harmful effects. Thus, "contaminated" has a negative connotation, related to the existence of a harmful substance.

Answer 2

The answer above is wrong. The correct answer is: It contains a negative connotation because when something is contaminated, it contains a harmful substance.