Question

We find it easy to tread on and crush a worm that we see crawling on the earth; so it is easy for us to cut or singe a slender thread that anything hangs by; thus easy is it for God when he pleases to cast his enemies down to hell.What is the denotation of the word "cast" in this excerpt? drop casually throw with force toss lightly release into the air...A.) drop casuallyB.)throw with forceC.)toss lightlyD.)release into the air

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is letter B) throw with force.

Explanation:

As we know, denotation refers to the primary, original meaning of a word -- in contrast to connotation, which refers to a secondary meaning evoked in a certain context. By definition, the verb "cast" means to throw something forcefully in a specific direction. In the passage, God is the one throwing his enemies with force into hell. Even if we did not know the meaning of cast, we would have been able to get to that conclusion due to the context surrounding the word. The passage is talking of violent actions such as cutting and crushing. Tossing lightly, releasing into air, or dropping casually, therefore, would greatly contrast with the meaning of the whole paragraph.