Read this excerpt from The Call of the Wild, and consider the context clues.
But a cold snap was on, the thermometer registering fifty below zero, and each time he broke through he was compelled for very life to build a fire and dry his garments.
What is the meaning of the underlined word?
pleaded or suggested
taught or instructed
obligated or forced
informed or explained
The meaning of the underlined word "compelled" in this context is "obligated or forced".
Based on the context clues, the meaning of the underlined word "compelled" is obligated or forced.
Based on the context clues in the given excerpt from The Call of the Wild, we can determine the meaning of the underlined word. In this sentence, it states that "each time he broke through" (implying that the subject fell through something) "he was compelled for very life" (implying a strong need or necessity) "to build a fire and dry his garments" (indicating a sense of urgency to protect oneself from cold).
Taking all the context clues into account, the most appropriate meaning for the underlined word is "obligated or forced." The extreme cold weather and the need to build a fire to prevent freezing indicate that the subject had no choice but to do so in order to survive.