Question

Read the sentence from Samuel Johnson's preface to A Dictionary of the English Language. It is the fate of those who toil at the lower employments of life, to be rather driven by the fear of evil, than attracted by the prospect of good; to be exposed to censure, without hope of praise. What is the best definition of the underlined word as it is used in the sentence? a statement of wit or amusement an expression of disapproval or condemnation a sentiment of indifference or apathy an exclamation of profound admiration or esteem





ANSWER IS B- an expression of disapproval or condemnation (; since the other one is "locked" )

Answer 1

Note: You have already provided the answer. I will just add an explanation.

Answer:

The underlined word is "censure". The best definition for it as it is used in the sentence is:

B. an expression of disapproval or condemnation

Explanation:

The word "censure" refers to a vehement (strong) disapproval or criticism. If you censure someone for their behavior, that means you condemn such behavior and express your opinion in a severe manner to that person. However, even if we didn't know what the word means on its own, we could have chosen option B by taking the context into consideration. The author is working with opposite ideas - good and bad, censure and praise. Therefore, if praise means an expression of admiration, censure must be its opposite.