In the sentence about those who toil at lower employments, the underlined word means:

• A. a statement of wit or amusement
• B. an expression of disapproval or condemnation
• C. a sentiment of indifference or apathy
• D. an exclamation of profound admiration or esteem

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is tone and attitude: the word signals how the author feels about those in lower employments. If you look for a term that shows moral judgment or criticism, you’ll find the word is meant to condemn or disapprove. That’s why the best fit is an expression of disapproval or condemnation—it conveys a negative stance toward the subjects described, rather than aiming to amuse, remain neutral, or praise them. Think of it as a linguistic cue that the speaker is judging the situation or the people, not simply describing them. In Enlightenment-era writing, such a word often marks critique of social hierarchies, highlighting the speaker’s disapproving stance.