Question

I have been planning a surprise party for my sister for months. Now that the day is finally here, I have so many things left to do, I don't know where to begin. Before the guests arrive for the party I have to prepare snacks, clean the house, get dressed, etcetera. Not to mention that I have to do all those things without Mimi noticing anything out of the ordinary!
Write one to two sentences explaining the meaning of “etcetera” based on the context clues in the passage.

Answer 1

Saying, "I have so many things left to do," and "all those things" are clues in the text that "etcetera" is related to lists of multiple items. The word "etcetera" appears at the end of a list of items that fall into the same category, which is a clue that "etcetera" is used to add on additional, similar details.

Answer 2

The meaning of etcetera in this passage means he (or she) has to get everything ready for the surprise party: get the cake, the candles, the drinks. Get the music ready for when the party starts and hide her friends around the place so they can all yell SURPRISE when she walks in.