6 Read the following sentences. "Computers don't like being without power, and they hate power surges most of all. If Danger attacks the power grid, it would shut down the whole campus. It could be catastrophic." What does the word catastrophic most closely mean as it's used here? (A) making everyone cry with fear and nervousness (B) creating a beautiful story that people will love (C) creating a lot of sudden chaos or danger (D) forging strong friendships between people
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The word "catastrophic" in this context most closely means creating a lot of sudden chaos or danger. It's describing a situation where the loss of power due to an attack on the power grid could lead to serious problems for the whole campus, emphasizing the severity of the potential consequences. You might find it interesting that the origins of the word "catastrophic" come from the Greek word "katastrophē," which means "overturning." The dramatic flair of the word reflects how something can suddenly turn a stable situation into chaos, just like a computer system failing due to a power surge can lead to a breakdown of operations.