Question

look at the word prior in the passage below. cinderella looked at the jeans, sneakers, and skateboard on her bed. these new gifts werent anything like prior gifts she had received from her fairy godmother! she thought of the heavy ball gown and uncomfortable glass slippers that godmother had given her last year. then she smiled. skateboarding would be way more fun than attending a ball! what is the meaning of prior as used in the passage? earlier or before at the same time later or after

Explanation:

To determine the meaning of "prior", we analyze the context. The passage mentions "new gifts" and contrasts them with "prior gifts" that she received "last year". "Last year" implies a time before the present, so "prior" should mean earlier or before. The option "at the same time" doesn't fit as the new and prior gifts are received at different times. "Later or after" is the opposite of the context since the prior gifts were received before the new ones.

Answer:

A. earlier or before