Question

justify
latin root:
-jur-/jus-
\law\,
ight\

1. i dont think theres anything you can say that will justify that bad behavior.
2. the students excellent grades justify her promotion to advanced math.

Explanation:

To determine the meaning of "justify" in these sentences, we use the Latin root "jur - /jus - " meaning "law" or "right". In sentence 1, "justify" means showing that the bad behavior has a valid (rightful, lawful - in the sense of reasonable) reason. In sentence 2, the excellent grades give a valid (rightful) reason for her promotion to advanced math. So "justify" here means to show or prove to be right, reasonable, or valid, consistent with the root meaning related to "right" or "law" (in the sense of what is just or lawful/reasonable).

Answer:

In the given sentences, "justify" means to show or prove (an action, behavior, or situation) to be right, reasonable, or valid. In sentence 1, it implies there's no valid reason for the bad behavior. In sentence 2, the excellent grades prove her promotion to advanced math is reasonable/valid.