Question

Read the excerpt from "The Hammer of God."


Ever since the demilitarization of Planet Earth (much accelerated by the famous slogan "Guns Are the Crutches of the Impotent"), such activities had been frowned upon, though not actively discouraged.


Which context clues would be most helpful in figuring out the meaning of impotent as it is used in the excerpt?


(Select all that apply.)


"The Hammer of God"


though not actively discouraged

much accelerated

Ever since the demilitarization

the Crutches

Answer 1

Answer:

The context clues that would be most helpful in figuring out the meaning of impotent as it is used in the excerpt are:

Ever since the demilitarization

AND

the Crutches

Explanation:

The word impotent means helpless or powerless. It refers to someone who cannot do something, who cannot take action, as well as to someone who needs help. In the context it appeared, this word could have been understood with the help of the context clues "the Crutches" and "Ever since the demilitarization". Crutches, as we know, are instruments used to help someone move when they cannot do it on their own. Figuratively speaking, a crutch is anything that supports a person who has or faces disability of any kind in life. Demilitarization means removing or extinguishing military forces. Both words, "crutches" and "demilitarization" convey a sense of lack of power, which then leads to the meaning of impotent.