Meaning: 'Sentenced' means to be officially declared to receive a punishment, particularly in a legal context, such as being given a death penalty.

Wrong options:

• penalized: While 'penalized' refers to being punished, it is more general and does not specifically imply a legal sentence like 'sentenced' does.
• blamed: 'Blamed' suggests assigning responsibility for a fault or wrong, which does not fit the legal context of receiving a death penalty.
• complained: 'Complained' indicates expressing dissatisfaction, which is irrelevant in the context of legal consequences.

Correct answer: bias

Explanation: The term 'bias' is appropriate here as it refers to a prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, which is relevant to the context of racial disparities in the death penalty system. It fits grammatically and contextually within the sentence.

Meaning: 'Bias' means an unfair preference or dislike for something, often leading to unfair treatment or judgment.

Wrong options:

• equality: 'Equality' refers to the state of being equal, which contradicts the context of discrimination and unfair treatment in the death penalty.
• appearance: 'Appearance' relates to how something looks, which does not connect to the concept of unfair treatment in legal contexts.
• background: 'Background' refers to a person's history or circumstances, which does not directly relate to the concept of prejudice or discrimination.

Correct answer: determining

Explanation: The word 'determining' is the correct choice as it indicates the act of establishing or concluding something, which fits the context of assessing factors that influence sentencing. It is grammatically correct as a gerund that serves as the subject of the clause.

Meaning: 'Determining' means to establish or conclude something after consideration, particularly in a decision-making context.

Wrong options:

• adjoining: 'Adjoining' means being next to or in contact with, which does not fit the context of assessing factors related to sentencing.
• undermining: 'Undermining' implies weakening or damaging something, which is not relevant to the context of establishing factors for sentencing.
• examining: 'Examining' means to inspect or investigate, which is less precise than 'determining' in the context of establishing a factor.

Correct answer: executed

Explanation: The term 'executed' is the correct answer as it refers to the act of carrying out a death sentence, fitting the context of the sentence perfectly. It is in the past participle form, aligning with the passive voice used in the sentence.

Meaning: 'Executed' means to carry out a death sentence, particularly in a legal context.

Wrong options:

• electrocuted: 'Electrocuted' specifically refers to death caused by electric shock, which is too specific and does not encompass all methods of execution.
• persecuted: 'Persecuted' means to be subjected to hostility or ill-treatment, which does not fit the context of carrying out a death sentence.
• captured: 'Captured' means to take someone prisoner, which is unrelated to the context of executing a death sentence.

Correct answer: alleged

Explanation: The word 'alleged' is appropriate as it refers to something that is claimed to be the case but has not yet been proven. It fits grammatically as an adjective modifying the noun 'crime' and contextually aligns with the legal implications of accusations.

Meaning: 'Alleged' means claimed or asserted without proof, often used in legal contexts to indicate that something is said to be true but has not been confirmed.

Wrong options:

• acclaimed: 'Acclaimed' means praised or celebrated, which does not fit the context of a crime that is under scrutiny or accusation.
• persuaded: 'Persuaded' means convinced someone to do something, which does not relate to the context of a crime being claimed or asserted.
• claimed: 'Claimed' is similar to 'alleged' but lacks the specific legal connotation that 'alleged' carries, making it less precise in this context.