Question

first read: selection vocabulary
identify the choice that best answers the question.
based on context, choose the most likely meaning of the word excelled in the following passage from twelve years a slave.
freeman ordered me to continue playing, and seemed well pleased, telling bob that i far excelled him—a remark that seemed to grieve my musical companion very much.
a. outdated
b. outlasted
c. outperformed
d. outmaneuvered

Explanation:

In the context, it's clear that the speaker's musical - playing ability was better than Bob's. "Outperformed" means to perform better than someone, which fits the context where Freeman says the speaker was better at playing music than Bob. "Outdated" means old - fashioned, "outlasted" means to last longer, and "outmaneuvered" means to outwit or out - plan in a strategic sense. None of these other options fit the context of musical performance comparison.

Answer:

C. outperformed