A college student is enrolled in a nuclear physics class. On the first day of class, the instructor gives the student a reading assignment containing a long list of unfamiliar terms. In order to build a strong knowledge base, what should the student do?

A. consider stoplights important: While it is reasonable to assume that police officers might consider stoplights important as part of maintaining the law, the original statement does not directly imply this. It focuses on the legality of running a stoplight rather than the officers' personal views.
B. believe it is illegal to run a stoplight: The statement implies that police officers enforce the law, but it doesn’t necessarily indicate what they believe. The focus is more on their role in maintaining the law rather than their personal belief about the law.
C. may issue a ticket if you run a stoplight: This is the best interpretation. Since the statement mentions that police officers maintain the law and that running a stoplight is illegal, it logically follows that police officers may take action, such as issuing a ticket, if someone violates this law.
D. never run stoplights: This is not a valid conclusion. The statement does not make any claims about the actions of police officers in relation to stoplights, only their role in enforcing the law. They may run stoplights, but they would be subject to the same legal consequences as anyone else.

A. Wait and see if the terms make sense in the next couple of classes: This approach is not ideal because it assumes that the terms will become clear without actively engaging with the material. Understanding these terms may be difficult if the student doesn't make an effort to familiarize themselves with the concepts upfront.
B. Ask a friend for help in understanding the terms: While asking a friend can be helpful, it’s not the most effective way to build a strong foundation. Relying solely on someone else for understanding may limit the student's own learning and comprehension of the material.
C. Read the assigned material in an attempt to gain an understanding of each new term: This is the best approach. Actively reading and engaging with the material will allow the student to understand the terms in context, which is crucial for building a strong knowledge base in a complex subject like nuclear physics.
D. Define the terms prior to reading the assignment: While defining the terms beforehand might be useful in some cases, it’s more effective to read the material first. Terms often have specific meanings in context, and understanding them in the context of the material will provide a deeper understanding.