Question

31)nor have we been wanting in our attentions to our british brethren. we have warned them, from time to time, of
attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. we have reminded them of the
circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. we have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we
have conjured them, by the ties of our common kindred, to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt
our connections and correspondence.
(32)they, too, have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. 12 we must, therefore, acquiesce in the
necessity which denounces our separation; and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace
friends.
(33)we, therefore, the representatives of the united states of america, in general congress assembled, appealing to the
supreme judge of the world for the rectitude 13 of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good
people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and
independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the british crown, and that all political connection
between them and the state of great britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that, as free and
independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do
all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. and, for the support of this declaration, with a firm
reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred
honor.
1 despotism: government by a ruler with unlimited power.
2 the present king of great britain: george iii, who reigned from 1760 to 1820.
read the excerpt from paragraph 33 of the selection.
we... solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states, that they are absolved from all
allegiance to the british crown, and that all political connection between them
and the state of great britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved
what does the word absolved mean as it is used in the paragraph?
○ forgiven for past wrongdoing or blame
○ relieved after completing an imposed duty
○ released from an obligation or responsibility
○ declared to be free from bondage under the law

Explanation:

The text is from a historical document (likely the Declaration of Independence). The word "absolved" in the context of "absolved from all allegiance to the British crown" means being released from an obligation (allegiance here). "Declared to be free from bondage" is too general as the key is the specific obligation (allegiance). "Relieved after completing an imposed duty" doesn't fit as there's no mention of completing a duty. "Forgiven for past wrongdoing or blame" is incorrect as it's about legal - obligation (allegiance) removal, not forgiveness.

Answer:

Released from an obligation or responsibility.