Question

select the correct answer from the drop - down menu
read the excerpt from the passage.
(5) that, boiled down, was the gist of mark’s letter when i had read it i cast myself on the bed and wept out all the tears i had refused to let myself shed during my weeks of exile
what does the phrase \boiled down\ mean in the passage?
as it is used in this passage, \boiled down\ means
\unfortunately\
\in short.\
\in entirety\
\evaporated\

Explanation:

The phrase "boiled down" is an idiom that refers to reducing something to its most essential, core meaning. In the context of the sentence, it describes the core/gist of Mark's letter. "In short" is the option that matches this meaning, as it conveys summarizing to the key point. The other options do not fit: "unfortunately" expresses regret, "in entirety" means the whole thing, and "evaporated" refers to liquid turning to gas.

Answer:

"in short."