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Identify the use of jargon in the excerpt by sorting the words into the appropriate category. She opened the far door and went through to the hot side. Then she reached back inside the air lock and pulled the chain in the chemical shower. That started a decon cycle running in the air lock that would eliminate any hot agents that might have leaked into the air lock as they were going through. –The Hot Zone, Richard Preston. Not jargon jargon?

1) Technical terms
2) Everyday language
3) Scientific jargon
4) Common phrases

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The excerpt from 'The Hot Zone' contains scientific jargon and technical terms like 'hot side', 'air lock', 'chemical shower', 'decon cycle', and 'hot agents', which are specific to scientific and hazardous materials contexts.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the excerpt from The Hot Zone by Richard Preston, the use of jargon is present in terms such as 'hot side', 'air lock', 'chemical shower', 'decon cycle', and 'hot agents'. These terms are best categorized as scientific jargon and technical terms, as they refer to specific procedures and concepts within a scientific or hazardous materials handling context.

The term 'hot side' typically refers to an area with potential contamination or danger, often associated with infectious diseases or hazardous substances, which is not commonly used in everyday language. 'Air lock' is a specialized containment area that prevents the spread of contaminants.

A 'chemical shower' is a decontamination unit used to cleanse individuals who may have been exposed to hazardous materials by spraying chemical solutions. The 'decon cycle' describes the process of decontamination within an air lock, and 'hot agents' likely refer to infectious agents or toxic materials that are dangerous ('hot' meaning dangerous or contaminated).

For a general audience, simplifying or explaining these terms might be necessary to avoid misunderstandings and ensure clarity of communication, as recommended in best practices for writing about technical topics.

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