Use sentence clues, such as contextual
definitions or restatements, to determine the
meaning of the word relegate. Verify that your
determined meaning makes sense by checking
it in the context of the sentence or paragraph.
Write your definition here and explain how you
determined and verified it.

Relegate: consign or dismiss to an inferior rank or position

the word that best matches the meaning of the expression "went to the big ocean" is died.

the goldfish died, which is why the father looks at the children mournfully. the "big ocean" is the father's way of saying fish heaven. he could have just said that the goldfish died, but this way, the children imagine the fish in a bigger, better place instead of just picturing a dead fish.

explanation: