modicum

Question

Demonstrate your ability to use context clues by reading the following passage and then determining the meaning of the underlined words through the context.
The use of what my very proper Southern grandmother would have called “inappropriate” language has become commonplace, indeed almost (1) ubiquitous, today.
In my grandmother’s time, you could (2) gauge a person’s upbringing by the language he or she used. If my grandmother had visitors stop by while my brother and I were at her house, we knew to be (3) cordial to them. My grandmother expected more than just a (4) modicum of (5) civility. She expected first-class “Sunday best” behavior and speech.
My father occasionally did repair work at my grandmother’s house, and he was known to let out an (6) expletive or two once in a while if something didn’t go right with the repairs. He, as another grown-up, and not just a (7) fledgling, could get away with this.
But if my brother or I were ever caught using an unacceptable word, my grandmother had the ability to (8) beckon us to her side with just one stern look. Using that famous (9) scowl of hers, she had a talent for making my brother and me feel like (10) peons.
Strange, but the other day I felt myself using that exact scowl on my grandson. My grandmother would have been proud.

A. a large amount B. a low or moderate amount C. none at all

Answer 1

B. a low or moderate amount