Question

use your knowledge of context clues, word roots, and affixes to determine the meaning of the italicized words in this passage. at first, greece was ruled by an oligarchy. the problem with this type of government is that a few individuals can issue edicts, which are not agreed upon by everyone, but which everyone must follow. after a while, the oligarchy was extirpated and replaced by a democracy. oligarchy most likely means \a government of a few people\. edicts most likely means \laws\. extirpated most likely means \destroyed\.

Explanation:

• For "oligarchy": The context says "a few individuals" rule, so it's a government by a few.
• For "edicts": The text states they're issued by rulers and must be followed, matching "laws".
• For "extirpated": It's replaced by democracy, so the oligarchy was destroyed.

Answer:

• Oligarchy: a government of a few people
• Edicts: laws
• Extirpated: destroyed