Which term describes a symbol whose meaning can be guessed from its shape even without a referent?

• A. Translucent
• B. Opaque
• C. Transparent
• D. Symbolic

Answer: (C)

The main idea is how directly a sign communicates its meaning from its form. A symbol whose shape itself suggests what it stands for is described as transparent. You can infer the meaning just by looking, even without any extra referent or context. Translucent and opaque refer to how much light a material lets through, not to how a sign conveys meaning, so they don’t fit. Symbolic signs depend on learned conventions, so you can’t reliably guess their meaning from shape alone. That’s why transparent is the best choice.