Question

read the definitions and the sentence, then answer the questions.
patience
pa-tience pā-shənts
from latin patient, patiens, from pati-, \to suffer\

1. n. the quality of enduring strain or suffering

patients
pa-tients pā-shənts
from latin patient, patiens, from pati-, \to suffer\

1. n. people under medical treatment

the doctor had an incredible amount of ______, taking his time with even the most difficult personalities under his care.
which word correctly completes the sentence?
which context clue best helps to determine the answer?

Explanation:

Analyze the definitions and sentence

The sentence is: "The doctor had an incredible amount of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_, taking his time with even the most difficult personalities under his care."
We are given two homophones with their definitions:

1. patience: "the quality of enduring strain or suffering"
2. patients: "people under medical treatment"

The sentence describes a quality that the doctor possesses ("had an incredible amount of..."), which allows him to take his time with difficult personalities. This refers to the quality of enduring strain or suffering, which is patience.

Identify the best context clue

The phrase "taking his time" directly explains what quality the doctor has. Taking one's time with difficult personalities is a demonstration of enduring strain or showing patience.

While "under his care" and "difficult personalities" relate to the medical setting and the people he treats, "taking his time" is the specific action that defines the quality of enduring strain (patience) in this context.

Answer:

Question 1

Which word correctly completes the sentence?
<blank>patience</blank>

Question 2

Which context clue best helps to determine the answer?
<blank>taking his time</blank>