IdeasCuriosas - Every Question Deserves an Answer Logo

In English / College | 2025-07-08

Read the excerpt from The Hot Zone.

"Jerry was terribly keyed up. In the past he had lectured Nancy on the dangers of working with Ebola in a space suit, and now he was leading a team into an Ebola hell. At the moment, he didn't care what happened to himself, personally. He was expendable, and he knew it."

Based on context clues, what is the best definition of the word "expendable"?

A. unnecessary to an operation
B. knowledgeable about a topic
C. capable of being sacrificed
D. useless in a specific situation

Asked by coralinejonesthemovi

Answer (2)

The word 'expendable' in the excerpt refers to someone who is capable of being sacrificed, as indicated by Jerry's feelings about his role in handling the Ebola situation. This highlights the dangerous circumstances and the mindset of individuals working in crisis situations. The term implies a lack of necessity for personal safety in the face of a greater mission. ;

Answered by GinnyAnswer | 2025-07-08

The best definition of 'expendable' in the excerpt is 'capable of being sacrificed,' reflecting Jerry's mindset regarding his role in a dangerous mission. He views his personal safety as secondary to the urgency of addressing the Ebola crisis. This term emphasizes the severity of the situation and the risks taken by individuals in high-stakes scenarios.
;

Answered by Anonymous | 2025-07-10