Choose the option nearest in meaning to the word or phrase in italics This case is within the jurisdiction of the council

Analyze the question: You need the word closest in meaning to jurisdiction in the sentence "This case is within the jurisdiction of the council."

Explain the concept: Jurisdiction means the official power or legal authority to make decisions and judgments over a particular area or type of matter. A court, council, or institution has jurisdiction over the cases or places that fall under its control.

Solution:

Replace jurisdiction with each option and see which fits:

• A. record: "within the record of the council" refers to documentation, not power. ✗
• B. prohibition: "within the prohibition of the council" means a ban, which is only one thing an authority might do. ✗
• C. authority: "within the authority of the council" means the case is under the council's power to decide. ✓
• D. finance: "within the finance of the council" refers to money, which has nothing to do with the meaning. ✗

Answer: The correct option is C. authority.

Tip: Break the word down. Juris comes from Latin for "law" or "right", and diction comes from "to say". So jurisdiction is literally "the power to speak the law", which is authority. Other words with the same root include judge, jury, and justice.