A teacher is beginning a new unit during which students will be reading from a science textbook. The teacher notices words that may be familiar to students but that are used in specific ways in the context of discussing earthquakes. Which of the following sets of words best exemplifies multiple-meaning words?

While "Richter scale" and "earthquake" are specific terms related to seismic activity, they do not possess multiple meanings outside their defined scientific context. "Tsunami" is also a specific term that refers to a large ocean wave caused by underwater disturbances. Thus, this set does not exemplify multiple-meaning words.

All three terms—"seismic," "aftershocks," and "tectonic"—are technical vocabulary specifically associated with earthquakes. They do not have common, everyday meanings outside the geological context, which means they do not represent multiple-meaning words.

"Plates" and "epicenter" are related to geology but do not carry multiple meanings in casual conversation. "Earthquake" is a specific term with a singular definition. Therefore, this option fails to illustrate the concept of multiple-meaning words effectively.