Use the excerpt to complete the activity.

Question

Now it was my mother’s turn to sigh.

“Look,” I said, to cheer her up. “I’m thinking about shaving the moustache off.” Even though I wasn’t for a long time. Another discovery: You can build a way of life on postponement.

“Your grandmother probably won’t even recognize you,” she said. And I saw the shadow fall across her face.

In 1-2 sentences, explain the meaning of postponement in the excerpt, and tell which words provide the clearest context clue for the word.

Answer 1

In the excerpt, "postponement" refers to the act of delaying decisions or actions, as the speaker contemplates shaving off the moustache but acknowledges that it won't happen for a long time. The phrase "wasn't for a long time" provides a clear context clue for the meaning of postponement.