Question

context clues 3.7
directions: read each sentence and determine the meaning of the word using context sentence clues or your prior knowledge. then, explain what clues in the sentence helped you determine the word meaning.

1. entitle: i wouldnt mind sharing with patrick if he didnt act like being a part of the witherspoon family entitled him to a piece of everything on campus.

definition:
what clues in the sentence lead you to your definition?

1. usurp: though joseph was the true king, his uncle usurped the throne and was now ruling the land quite cruelly.

definition:
what clues in the sentence lead you to your definition?

1. candid: when around his coworkers, alan said that he agreed with the bosss new policy, but his candid opinion was that it would drive away customers.

definition:
what clues in the sentence lead you to your definition?

1. magnanimous: the magnanimous judge released the young offender who had been caught stealing bread by saying, \everybody has to eat,\ and slamming down his gavel.

definition:
what clues in the sentence lead you to your definition?

1. acquiesce: angela did not want to go to the party. she wanted to study for the exam, but her sister nagged her so much that angela finally acquiesced and agreed to go.

definition:
what clues in the sentence lead you to your definition?

1. grievance: the workers wrote an anonymous letter to their boss in which they expressed their grievances: long working hours, low pay, and dangerous working conditions.

definition:
what clues in the sentence lead you to your definition?

Explanation:

1. entitle: The context shows that Patrick's behavior (acting like he's entitled to everything) helps infer that "entitle" means to give someone a right or claim to something. The clue is "act like being a part of the Witherspoon family entitled him to a piece of everything on campus" - the idea of having a claim based on (perceived) family - like status.
2. usurp: Since Joseph was the true king but his uncle took the throne ("usurped the throne"), "usurp" means to seize power or a position wrongfully. The clue is the contrast between "true king" and uncle taking the throne.
3. candid: Alan said one thing around coworkers (agreed with the boss) but his real (candid) opinion was different (would drive away customers). So "candid" means honest, sincere. The clue is the contrast between what he said publicly and his real opinion.
4. magnanimous: The judge released a young offender (who stole bread) and gave a lenient - like reason ("Everybody has to eat"). So "magnanimous" means generous, forgiving. The clue is the judge's lenient action towards the offender.
5. acquiesce: Angela didn't want to go to the party but finally agreed (acquiesced) because her sister nagged. So "acquiesce" means to give in, submit. The clue is "did not want to go...finally acquiesced and agreed to go".
6. grievance: The workers listed things they were unhappy about (long hours, low pay, dangerous conditions) in a letter. So "grievance" means a complaint, a cause for dissatisfaction. The clue is the list of "long working hours, low pay, and dangerous working conditions" which are complaints.

Answer:

1. Definition: Give someone a right or claim to something. Clues: "act like being a part of the Witherspoon family entitled him to a piece of everything on campus".
2. Definition: Seize power or a position wrongfully. Clues: Contrast between "true king" (Joseph) and uncle taking the throne.
3. Definition: Honest, sincere. Clues: Contrast between what Alan said around coworkers and his real opinion.
4. Definition: Generous, forgiving. Clues: Judge's lenient action towards the offender (released him and gave a lenient - like reason).
5. Definition: Give in, submit. Clues: "did not want to go...finally acquiesced and agreed to go".
6. Definition: A complaint, a cause for dissatisfaction. Clues: List of "long working hours, low pay, and dangerous working conditions" (complaints).