DEARTH literally means that something is “dear” or in short supply. DEARTH can be used to describe important developments in American history. For example, Tidewater planters in Virginia initially used imported indentured servants from England to provide an inexpensive labor force to grow and harvest tobacco. However, during the late 1600s a steadily dwindling number of workers willing to endure the harsh working conditions on Virginia plantations confronted planters with a serious labor shortage. Faced with a growing DEARTH or scarcity of field workers, Virginia planters made the fateful decision to begin importing enslaved Africans.
SAT test writers will probably not use DEARTH as part of a passage on indentured servants and enslaved Africans. But that hasn’t stopped them from using DEARTH as an answer in a number of High-Frequency questions. Let’s take a look:
