As opening night approached, Mr. Cinello realized that he needed to recruit more volunteers to build sets. The play required more
elaborate set designs than he had first estimated. The stage crew had labored furiously and were already exhausted. Unfortunately, they still had
a tremendous number of sets to build. In order to alleviate their workload, Mr. Cinello needed several more experienced and willing helpers. If the
sets were not finished, some scenes might need to be cut from the play.
Dictionary
alleviate (a le’ ve ät) v. to relieve suffering; to make something less severe
When Melanie first read the passage, she thought the word alleviate meant “ease.”
Is Melanie’s understanding of alleviate correct?
- No, because the crew’s workload will increase when Mr. Cinello acquires more volunteers.
- Yes, because Mr. Cinello is trying to reduce the amount of work that the crew has to perform.
- No, because the crew is already so tired that taking away some work will not relieve their suffering.
- Yes, because although the crew’s burden will be lighter, the volunteers will have to work even harder.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is 2. Yes, because Mr. Cinello is trying to reduce the amount of work that the crew has to perform.
Explanation
The word “alleviate” means to relieve or lessen something, often associated with suffering or burdens. In the context of the passage, Mr. Cinello recognizes that the current stage crew is overwhelmed and exhausted from building sets for the upcoming play. The phrase “alleviate their workload” indicates Mr. Cinello’s intention to make the situation easier for the existing crew by bringing in additional volunteers. This approach aims to share the burden of set construction, thus reducing the pressure and workload on the crew.
Melanie’s initial thought that “alleviate” meant “ease” aligns with the essence of the word. When Mr. Cinello recruits more experienced helpers, he is effectively lightening the load for the current crew members, allowing them to manage their responsibilities more comfortably and reducing the risk of needing to cut scenes from the play due to unfinished sets.
While one could argue that bringing in volunteers means more people will be working, it’s crucial to note that the primary objective is to distribute the workload more evenly among a larger group, rather than simply increasing the overall amount of work. The existing crew’s suffering stems from their exhaustion, and by adding volunteers, Mr. Cinello is directly addressing their need for relief.
In summary, Melanie’s understanding that “alleviate” suggests an easing of workload is accurate. The goal of recruiting more volunteers is to lessen the crew’s burden and ensure the play can be completed successfully, reflecting the true meaning of “alleviate.”