Answer :
Final answer:
Insomnia, as used in the text, suggests an inability to sleep, which is confirmed by checking a dictionary definition. The context given by the surrounding words and phrases in the paragraph along with the Latin root 'sol' hints at the solitude of sleeplessness, aligning with the term's meaning.
Explanation:
Using context clues to determine the meaning of insomnia in literature involves examining other words and phrases surrounding the term. From the text in The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street, we can infer that insomnia relates to an inability to sleep. The reference to being awake long after midnight, the experience of being startled by a sound, and the physical discomfort described while trying to hear could suggest a state of restlessness associated with sleeplessness. Additionally, the root sol in Latin means "alone," which can illuminate the solitude often felt when one cannot sleep.
Checking a dictionary confirms that insomnia is the inability to obtain sufficient sleep, especially when chronic; difficulty in falling or staying asleep; sleeplessness. This matches the context in which it was used in the paragraph, where the character is awake and in a heightened state of alertness during the night. Understanding the usage of context clues enhances comprehension and can help identify meanings of unfamiliar words without a dictionary.
