Which context clue provides the best hint for the meaning of the underlined idiom in this excerpt?

What did cherry mean when she said, “things are rough all over” ? the outsiders

Who tells the story and how it is told are known as theme first person point of view imagery

Using your knowledge of embedded context clues, what is the meaning of the word exonerated in the following passage? now that jason has been exonerated, he was released from prison and his fortune is improving. the judge made a personal apology for the injustice he endured. a. convicted b. offended c. pardoned d. distressed