Which word means sharing a border; touching, or next in sequence?

Which word means sharing a border; touching, or next in sequence?

• A. Adjacent
• B. Remote
• C. Contiguous
• D. Proximal

Answer: (C)

Closeness and connection are being tested: when do words describe actual contact or a seamless order? Contiguous means sharing a border or touching, and it also describes items that come one after another without gaps. That dual sense makes it the best fit for both parts of the prompt: a border that is in direct contact, or a sequence that has no interruptions. For example, the contiguous United States share land borders, while Alaska and Hawaii are not contiguous with the continental states. In contrast, adjacent means next to one another and can imply proximity without necessarily sharing a border or forming an unbroken sequence; remote means far away; proximal means near but not necessarily touching. So contiguous accurately captures both touching and unbroken sequence.

Closeness and connection are being tested: when do words describe actual contact or a seamless order? Contiguous means sharing a border or touching, and it also describes items that come one after another without gaps. That dual sense makes it the best fit for both parts of the prompt: a border that is in direct contact, or a sequence that has no interruptions. For example, the contiguous United States share land borders, while Alaska and Hawaii are not contiguous with the continental states. In contrast, adjacent means next to one another and can imply proximity without necessarily sharing a border or forming an unbroken sequence; remote means far away; proximal means near but not necessarily touching. So contiguous accurately captures both touching and unbroken sequence.