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from The Locket
by Kate Chopin

"What's that you got around your neck, Ned?" asked one of the men.
Ned—or Edmond—mechanically fastened another button of his shirt and did not reply. He went on reading his letter.
"Is it your sweetheart's picture?"
"Taint no gal's picture," offered the man at the fire. "That's a charm. Hey, French! Ain't I right?" Edmond looked up absently from his letter.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Ain't that a charm you got round your neck?"
"It must be, Nick," returned Edmond with a smile. "I don't know how I could have gone through this year and a half without it."

Read the excerpt. Which phrases best complete the scenario below?

The phrase ____________ shows that absently means ____________

From The Locket By Kate Chopin Whats That You Got Around Your Neck Ned Asked One Of The Men Nedor Edmondmechanically Fastened Another Button Of His Shirt And Di class=
From The Locket By Kate Chopin Whats That You Got Around Your Neck Ned Asked One Of The Men Nedor Edmondmechanically Fastened Another Button Of His Shirt And Di class=

Sagot :

The phrase "mechanically fastened another button of his shirt and did not reply" shows that "absently" means not paying attention.

The meaning of "absently"

It is common for authors to use context clues when they introduce a word readers may not know. Context clues are pieces of information that help readers figure out the meaning of that word.

In the passage we are analyzing here, it is possible to infer the meaning of "absently" when we read the phrase that  says "mechanically fastened another button." When we do something mechanically, we do it automatically, without giving it much thought.

In other words, we do it without paying attention. That is precisely what "absently" mean. Thus, the phrase helps us figure out the meaning of "absently."

Learn more about context clues here:

https://brainly.com/question/24750804

Answer:

The phrase “mechanically fastened another button of his shirt and did not reply” shows that absently means not paying attention.

Explanation: