Question

Read the following vocabulary word in context from Act I as found on the page indicated. You may need to read some text before and after the vocabulary word. Then, choose the correct definition intended by the author. Use a dictionary if necessary.
impudence (p. 8, dialogue)

politeness
intelligence
disrespectfulness

Answer 1

disrespectfulness

In the play the word is used when Keller says, "You be quiet! I’m badgered enough here by females without your impudence." The first trick to identifying a word's definition using context clues is to decide if the word is used in a positive way or a negative way. After reading Keller's statement, we can tell he is frustrated and annoyed, so he is not going to be talking in a positive way. This eliminates the first two options immediately. Disrespectfulness is your answer.