Question

The attorney claimed that the evidence was (conclusive)

Which is the denotation of the underlined word?

Known indirectly
Withdrawn from consideration
Without substance or support
Impossible to disprove

Answer 1

D. Impossible to Disprove

The word “conclusive” means indisputable (Note: literal meaning = denotation). In the sentence, we can see that the statement says that “because of evidence….” Evidence is something that can provide a basis for thinking something happened—proof—in so much that one need not have had to experience something first hand or directly in order believe it happened. Thus, because the attorney made a claim that evidence provided enough information in order to make something indisputably believable without question, we know that what is denoted is "impossible to disprove."

Answer 2

The underlined word of the sentence which "conclusive" would have a denotation of "impossible to disprove" as it is used in the sentence. Furthermore, a denotation is the "literal" meaning of a word or some may refer to it as the "dictionary definition or meaning."