[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: devote
Target surface form: devote
Context:
Since local benefit - seeking matters more and national policy making matters less in the lower chamber of Congress, this is precisely the pattern one would expect if Republicans are less willing to engage in local benefit - seeking than their Democratic counterparts. Is there any empirical support for this theory? Three pieces of evidence corroborate the key assumption that Democratic legislators are more willing to engage in local benefit - seeking than their Republican colleagues. First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise <t>devote</t> to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=devote%2:32:00:: | definition=give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause | synonyms=give, dedicate, consecrate, commit | examples=She committed herself to the work of God; give one's talents to a good cause
2. sense_key=devote%2:31:00:: | definition=dedicate | synonyms=give, pay | examples=give thought to; give priority to
3. sense_key=devote%2:40:00:: | definition=set aside or apart for a specific purpose or use | examples=this land was devoted to mining

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content:
The task is Word Sense Disambiguation for "devote" in the given context. I need to choose the best sense from the three candidates.
The context is: "participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise <t>devote</t> to local benefit - seeking."

So, the time could be devoted to local benefit-seeking, meaning allocated or given to that activity.

Looking at the candidates:

1. give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause – like commit entirely.

2. dedicate | synonyms=give, pay | examples=give thought to; give priority to

3. set aside or apart for a specific purpose or use – like land devoted to mining.


attempt_kind: initial

status: success

[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: local
Target surface form: local
Context:
Since local benefit - seeking matters more and national policy making matters less in the lower chamber of Congress, this is precisely the pattern one would expect if Republicans are less willing to engage in local benefit - seeking than their Democratic counterparts. Is there any empirical support for this theory? Three pieces of evidence corroborate the key assumption that Democratic legislators are more willing to engage in local benefit - seeking than their Republican colleagues. First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to <t>local</t> benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=local%3:00:01:: | definition=relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area | examples=local taxes; local authorities
2. sense_key=local%3:01:01:: | definition=of or belonging to or characteristic of a particular locality or neighborhood | examples=local customs; local schools
3. sense_key=local%3:00:02:: | definition=affecting only a restricted part or area of the body | examples=local anesthesia

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

finish_reason: stop

role: assistant

reasoning_content:
The task is Word Sense Disambiguation for "local" in the given context. I need to choose the best sense from the candidates.
The context is about legislators in Congress engaging in "local benefit-seeking". It says: "participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to <t>local</t> benefit - seeking."

So, "local" here refers to benefit-seeking that is local, meaning related to the district or locality of the legislator, as opposed to national issues.

It's in contrast to national policy making.

So, it's about being concerned with a particular locality or district.

Looking at candidates:

1. relating to administration of city or district rather than larger area. (more administrative)

2. of or belonging to or characteristic of a particular locality or neighborhood. (this seems broader, but fits "local" as in district-specific)

3. affecting only a restricted part or area of the body (this is medical, local anesthesia – irrelevant here)

Clearly not 3.

Between 1 and 2, I think 2 is better because " benefit-seeking" is about seeking benefits for the locality, not necessarily administration.

But the definition in 1 mentions "district rather than a larger area", which matches the contrast with national.

In political science, "localism" in Congress means focusing on district interests vs national.

I recall papers by David Mayhew or others on "Congress: The Electoral Connection" where localism is key.

I believe the best fit is sense 2, as "local" means pertaining to the particular locality of the representative.

But let's see: the context has "local taxes; local authorities" in sense 1, but that's not in context.

The instruction says use context, synonyms, examples together.

Examples in 2: local customs; local schools – things characteristic of locality.

In context, benefit-seeking for local constituency – characteristic of locality.

Also, "narrow constituent concerns" – constituent is locality.

I go with 2.

But wait, the target is " local benefit - seeking", and in politics, it's often called "constituency service" or "district service", which is local.

I think it's 2.

Confidence: fairly high, \confidence{60}

But the output is JSON {"sense_index":2}

Yes.

native_finish_reason: completed

provider: xAI

service_tier: default

currency: USD


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: indicate
Target surface form: indicate
Context:
Is there any empirical support for this theory? Three pieces of evidence corroborate the key assumption that Democratic legislators are more willing to engage in local benefit - seeking than their Republican colleagues. First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data <t>indicate</t>, particularly in the case of the House. The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=indicate%2:32:01:: | definition=be a signal for or a symptom of | synonyms=bespeak, betoken, point, signal | examples=These symptoms indicate a serious illness; Her behavior points to a severe neurosis
2. sense_key=indicate%2:32:03:: | definition=indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively | synonyms=point, designate, show | examples=I showed the customer the glove section; He pointed to the empty parking space
3. sense_key=indicate%2:32:00:: | definition=to state or express briefly | examples=indicated his wishes in a letter
4. sense_key=indicate%2:32:02:: | definition=give evidence of | synonyms=argue | examples=The evidence argues for your claim; The results indicate the need for more work
5. sense_key=indicate%2:32:04:: | definition=suggest the necessity of an intervention; in medicine | synonyms=suggest | examples=Tetracycline is indicated in such cases

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content:
The task is Word Sense Disambiguation for "indicate" in the given context. I need to choose the best sense from the candidates.
The context is: "This is indeed what the data <t>indicate</t>, particularly in the case of the House."

The data indicate that Democrats have lower attendance rates, meaning the data show or suggest that.

Looking at candidates:

1. be a signal for or a symptom of – like symptoms indicate illness (data as symptom/signaling)

2. indicate a place/direction – no

3. state or express briefly – no

4. give evidence of – results indicate need for work

5. medical indication – no

Between 1 and 4.

The sentence is "what the data indicate" meaning what the data show or point to.

In academic context, "data indicate" typically means "the data show" or "evidence suggests".

Example in 4: "The results indicate the need for more work" – perfect match for "data indicate [a fact]".

For 1, it's more like "indicate a problem" as symptom.

Also, in the text: "this indicates that political philosophy leads...


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: case
Target surface form: case
Context:
Is there any empirical support for this theory? Three pieces of evidence corroborate the key assumption that Democratic legislators are more willing to engage in local benefit - seeking than their Republican colleagues. First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the <t>case</t> of the House. The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=case%1:11:00:: | definition=an occurrence of something | synonyms=instance, example | examples=it was a case of bad judgment; another instance occurred yesterday
2. sense_key=case%1:26:00:: | definition=a special set of circumstances | synonyms=event | examples=in that event, the first possibility is excluded; it may rain in which case the picnic will be canceled
3. sense_key=case%1:04:00:: | definition=a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy | synonyms=lawsuit, suit, cause, causa | examples=the family brought suit against the landlord
4. sense_key=case%1:09:00:: | definition=the actual state of things | examples=that was not the case
5. sense_key=case%1:06:00:: | definition=a portable container for carrying several objects | examples=the musicians left their instrument cases backstage
6. sense_key=case%1:18:03:: | definition=a person requiring professional services | examples=a typical case was the suburban housewife described by a marriage counselor
7. sense_key=case%1:18:02:: | definition=a person who is subjected to experimental or other observational procedures; someone who is an object of investigation | synonyms=subject, guinea pig | examples=the subjects for this investigation were selected randomly; the cases that we studied were drawn from two different communities
8. sense_key=case%1:10:02:: | definition=a problem requiring investigation | examples=Perry Mason solved the case of the missing heir
9. sense_key=case%1:10:01:: | definition=a statement of facts and reasons used to support an argument | examples=he stated his case clearly
10. sense_key=case%1:23:00:: | definition=the quantity contained in a case | synonyms=caseful
11. sense_key=case%1:10:00:: | definition=nouns or pronouns or adjectives (often marked by inflection) related in some way to other words in a sentence | synonyms=grammatical case
12. sense_key=case%1:26:02:: | definition=a specific state of mind that is temporary | examples=a case of the jitters
13. sense_key=case%1:18:04:: | definition=a person of a specified kind (usually with many eccentricities) | synonyms=character, eccentric, type | examples=a real character; a strange character
14. sense_key=case%1:10:03:: | definition=a specific size and style of type within a type family | synonyms=font, fount, typeface, face
15. sense_key=case%1:08:00:: | definition=an enveloping structure or covering enclosing an animal or plant organ or part | synonyms=sheath
16. sense_key=case%1:06:06:: | definition=the housing or outer covering of something | synonyms=shell, casing | examples=the clock has a walnut case
17. sense_key=case%1:06:07:: | definition=the enclosing frame around a door or window opening | synonyms=casing | examples=the casings had rotted away and had to be replaced
18. sense_key=case%1:06:03:: | definition=(printing) the receptacle in which a compositor has his type, which is divided into compartments for the different letters, spaces, or numbers | synonyms=compositor's case, typesetter's case | examples=for English, a compositor will ordinarily have two such cases, the upper case containing the capitals and the lower case containing the small letters
19. sense_key=case%1:06:02:: | definition=bed linen consisting of a cover for a pillow | synonyms=pillowcase, slip, pillow slip | examples=the burglar carried his loot in a pillowcase
20. sense_key=case%1:06:01:: | definition=a glass container used to store and display items in a shop or museum or home | synonyms=display case, showcase, vitrine

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content:
The task is Word Sense Disambiguation for "case" in the given context. I need to choose the best sense from the candidate senses.
The context is: "particularly in the <t>case</t> of the House. The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959."

This is using "case" in the sense of "in the case of" meaning "regarding" or "for" the House, specifying a particular instance or situation.

Looking at candidates:

1. instance, example – synonyms include instance, and example like "it was a case of bad judgment"

2. special set of circumstances, event – example "in which case"

4. actual state of things – not fitting.

I believe it's closest to sense 1, as "in the case of" often means "in the instance of" or "when it comes to".

For example, "in the case of the House" = for the House as an example/instance.

Sense 2's "in which case" is conditional, but here it's not conditional; it's specifying "particularly in the case of".


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: democratic
Target surface form: Democratic
Context:
Three pieces of evidence corroborate the key assumption that Democratic legislators are more willing to engage in local benefit - seeking than their Republican colleagues. First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House. The <t>Democratic</t> House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959. Finally, as shown in the table, Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=democratic%3:00:00:: | definition=characterized by or advocating or based upon the principles of democracy or social equality; ; ; - George du Maurier | examples=democratic government; a democratic country
2. sense_key=democratic%3:01:00:: | definition=belong to or relating to the Democratic Party | examples=Democratic senator
3. sense_key=democratic%5:00:00:common:01 | definition=representing or appealing to or adapted for the benefit of the people at large | synonyms=popular | examples=democratic art forms; a democratic or popular movement

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content: The task is Word Sense Disambiguation for "democratic" with target surface form "Democratic" in the given context.


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: attendance
Target surface form: attendance
Context:
Three pieces of evidence corroborate the key assumption that Democratic legislators are more willing to engage in local benefit - seeking than their Republican colleagues. First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House. The Democratic House <t>attendance</t> rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959. Finally, as shown in the table, Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=attendance%1:04:00:: | definition=the act of being present (at a meeting or event etc.) | synonyms=attending
2. sense_key=attendance%1:28:00:: | definition=the frequency with which a person is present | examples=a student's attendance is an important factor in her grade
3. sense_key=attendance%1:14:00:: | definition=the number of people that are present | examples=attendance was up by 50 per cent

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content:
The task is to perform Word Sense Disambiguation for the lemma "attendance" in the given context. I need to choose the best indexed sense from the three candidates.
The context is about "attendance rate" in roll-call votes, and Democrats have lower attendance rates, meaning they attend less frequently.

Looking at candidates:

1. The act of being present at a meeting or event. But it's "attendance rate", not just the act.

2.


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: rate
Target surface form: rate
Context:
Three pieces of evidence corroborate the key assumption that Democratic legislators are more willing to engage in local benefit - seeking than their Republican colleagues. First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House. The Democratic House attendance <t>rate</t> has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959. Finally, as shown in the table, Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=rate%1:28:00:: | definition=a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit | examples=they traveled at a rate of 55 miles per hour; the rate of change was faster than expected
2. sense_key=rate%1:21:00:: | definition=amount of a charge or payment relative to some basis | synonyms=charge per unit | examples=a 10-minute phone call at that rate would cost $5
3. sense_key=rate%1:07:00:: | definition=the relative speed of progress or change | synonyms=pace | examples=he lived at a fast pace; he works at a great rate
4. sense_key=rate%1:24:00:: | definition=a quantity or amount or measure considered as a proportion of another quantity or amount or measure | examples=the literacy rate; the retention rate

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content:
The task is to choose the best indexed sense for "rate" in the context. The target is "Democratic House attendance <t>rate</t>".
The context mentions "Democratic House attendance <t>rate</t> has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959." It's about attendance rates, meaning the proportion of times they attend roll-call votes.

It's compared between Democrats and Republicans, and says "has not exceeded", indicating a numerical rate, like percentage 90% vs 80% or something.

In statistics, attendance rate is often the proportion.


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: republican
Target surface form: Republican
Context:
Three pieces of evidence corroborate the key assumption that Democratic legislators are more willing to engage in local benefit - seeking than their Republican colleagues. First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House. The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the <t>Republican</t> House attendance rate since 1959. Finally, as shown in the table, Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=republican%3:01:01:: | definition=relating to or belonging to the Republican Party | examples=a Republican senator; Republican party politics
2. sense_key=republican%5:00:00:democratic:00 | definition=having the supreme power lying in the body of citizens entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them or characteristic of such government; - United States Constitution; ; - Philip Marsh; -Nathaniel Hawthorne | examples=the United States shall guarantee to every state in this union a republican form of government; a very republican notion

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content: The task is Word Sense Disambiguation for "republican" with target surface form "Republican" in the given context.


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: attendance
Target surface form: attendance
Context:
Three pieces of evidence corroborate the key assumption that Democratic legislators are more willing to engage in local benefit - seeking than their Republican colleagues. First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House. The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House <t>attendance</t> rate since 1959. Finally, as shown in the table, Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=attendance%1:04:00:: | definition=the act of being present (at a meeting or event etc.) | synonyms=attending
2. sense_key=attendance%1:28:00:: | definition=the frequency with which a person is present | examples=a student's attendance is an important factor in her grade
3. sense_key=attendance%1:14:00:: | definition=the number of people that are present | examples=attendance was up by 50 per cent

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content:
The task is Word Sense Disambiguation for "attendance" in the given context. I need to choose the best sense from the three candidates.
The context mentions "attendance rate" and "Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes", and "The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959."

It's clearly about the rate at which legislators attend the votes, i.e., how frequently they participate.


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: rate
Target surface form: rate
Context:
Three pieces of evidence corroborate the key assumption that Democratic legislators are more willing to engage in local benefit - seeking than their Republican colleagues. First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House. The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance <t>rate</t> since 1959. Finally, as shown in the table, Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=rate%1:28:00:: | definition=a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit | examples=they traveled at a rate of 55 miles per hour; the rate of change was faster than expected
2. sense_key=rate%1:21:00:: | definition=amount of a charge or payment relative to some basis | synonyms=charge per unit | examples=a 10-minute phone call at that rate would cost $5
3. sense_key=rate%1:07:00:: | definition=the relative speed of progress or change | synonyms=pace | examples=he lived at a fast pace; he works at a great rate
4. sense_key=rate%1:24:00:: | definition=a quantity or amount or measure considered as a proportion of another quantity or amount or measure | examples=the literacy rate; the retention rate

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content:
The task is Word Sense Disambiguation for "rate" in the given context. I need to choose the best sense from the candidates.
The context mentions "attendance rate" and "has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate". It's about how often they attend roll-call votes, so it's the proportion or frequency of attendance relative to total votes.

Looking at the candidates:

1. magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit – like speed, 55 mph.


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: show
Target surface form: shown
Context:
First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House. The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959. Finally, as <t>shown</t> in the table, Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices. An examination of changes in personal staffing decisions in the Senate between 1986 and 1987 -LRB- when control of that body changed party hands -RRB-, moreover, reveals that the personal staffing differences noted in the table can not be attributed to the disproportionate control Democrats exercise, due to their majority - party status, over other resources such as committee staff.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=show%2:39:02:: | definition=give an exhibition of to an interested audience | synonyms=demo, exhibit, present, demonstrate | examples=She shows her dogs frequently; We will demo the new software in Washington
2. sense_key=show%2:31:00:: | definition=establish the validity of something, as by an example, explanation or experiment | synonyms=prove, demonstrate, establish, shew | examples=The experiment demonstrated the instability of the compound; The mathematician showed the validity of the conjecture
3. sense_key=show%2:32:00:: | definition=provide evidence for | synonyms=testify, bear witness, prove, evidence | examples=The blood test showed that he was the father; Her behavior testified to her incompetence
4. sense_key=show%2:39:00:: | definition=make visible or noticeable | examples=She showed her talent for cooking; Show me your etchings, please
5. sense_key=show%2:36:00:: | definition=show in, or as in, a picture | synonyms=picture, depict, render | examples=This scene depicts country life; the face of the child is rendered with much tenderness in this painting
6. sense_key=show%2:32:02:: | definition=give expression to | synonyms=express, evince | examples=She showed her disappointment
7. sense_key=show%2:32:01:: | definition=indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively | synonyms=indicate, point, designate | examples=I showed the customer the glove section; He pointed to the empty parking space
8. sense_key=show%2:39:01:: | definition=be or become visible or noticeable | synonyms=show up | examples=His good upbringing really shows; The dirty side will show
9. sense_key=show%2:32:04:: | definition=indicate a certain reading; of gauges and instruments | synonyms=read, register, record | examples=The thermometer showed thirteen degrees below zero; The gauge read `empty'
10. sense_key=show%2:32:03:: | definition=give evidence of, as of records | examples=The diary shows his distress that evening
11. sense_key=show%2:38:00:: | definition=take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums | synonyms=usher | examples=The usher showed us to our seats
12. sense_key=show%2:33:00:: | definition=finish third or better in a horse or dog race | examples=he bet $2 on number six to show

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content:
The task is Word Sense Disambiguation for "show" in the form "shown". The context is from a text about economists and political data, discussing how Democrats allocate staffs differently.
The sentence is: "Finally, as <t>shown</t> is referring to the table showing something in the table, like data presented in the table. So, it's like "as indicated or demonstrated by the table, meaning the table provides evidence or shows the data that Democrats allocate higher proportion.

Common phrase " "as shown in the table" means the table illustrates or demonstrates the point.

Looking at candidates:

Sense 2: establish the validity of something, as by an example, explanation or experiment | synonyms=prove, demonstrate, establish, shew | examples=The experiment demonstrated the instability of the compound; The mathematician showed the validity of the conjecture

This fits because the table shows/establishes the validity of the allocation difference.

Sense 3: provide evidence for | synonyms=testify, bear witness, prove, evidence | examples=The blood test showed that he was the father; Her behavior testified to her incompetence

Also fits, "the table shows" meaning provides evidence.

But in context, it's not proving a conjecture, but presenting data that shows the fact.

Sense 1: give an exhibition of to an interested audience | synonyms=demo, exhibit, present, demonstrate | examples=She shows her dogs frequently; We will demo the new software – not really exhibition.

I think the best is sense 2, because "show" here is to demonstrate or establish via the table.

In WSD, "as shown in" often means demonstrated by.

Also, note that sense 2 has "shew" which is spelling variant of show.

Yes, that 2 is likely it.

In the context, it's establishing the point about allocation.

Yes.

So, the index is 2.

Confidence: fairly high, as it matches establish validity by example (table is example).

\confidence{60}

{"sense_index":2}

No, return only the JSON.

The instruction 4.


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: table
Target surface form: table
Context:
First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House. The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959. Finally, as shown in the <t>table</t>, Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices. An examination of changes in personal staffing decisions in the Senate between 1986 and 1987 -LRB- when control of that body changed party hands -RRB-, moreover, reveals that the personal staffing differences noted in the table can not be attributed to the disproportionate control Democrats exercise, due to their majority - party status, over other resources such as committee staff.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=table%1:14:00:: | definition=a set of data arranged in rows and columns | synonyms=tabular array | examples=see table 1
2. sense_key=table%1:06:01:: | definition=a piece of furniture having a smooth flat top that is usually supported by one or more vertical legs | examples=it was a sturdy table
3. sense_key=table%1:06:02:: | definition=a piece of furniture with tableware for a meal laid out on it | examples=I reserved a table at my favorite restaurant
4. sense_key=table%1:17:00:: | definition=flat tableland with steep edges | synonyms=mesa | examples=the tribe was relatively safe on the mesa but they had to descend into the valley for water
5. sense_key=table%1:14:01:: | definition=a company of people assembled at a table for a meal or game | examples=he entertained the whole table with his witty remarks
6. sense_key=table%1:13:01:: | definition=food or meals in general | synonyms=board | examples=she sets a fine table; room and board

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content: The task is Word Sense Disambiguation for "table" in the given context. I need to choose the best indexed sense from the candidates.


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: democrat
Target surface form: Democrats
Context:
First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House. The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959. Finally, as shown in the table, <t>Democrats</t> allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices. An examination of changes in personal staffing decisions in the Senate between 1986 and 1987 -LRB- when control of that body changed party hands -RRB-, moreover, reveals that the personal staffing differences noted in the table can not be attributed to the disproportionate control Democrats exercise, due to their majority - party status, over other resources such as committee staff.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=democrat%1:18:01:: | definition=a member of the Democratic Party
2. sense_key=democrat%1:18:00:: | definition=an advocate of democratic principles | synonyms=populist

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content: The task is Word Sense Disambiguation for "Democrats" with target lemma "democrat".


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: proportion
Target surface form: proportion
Context:
First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House. The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959. Finally, as shown in the table, Democrats allocate a higher <t>proportion</t> of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices. An examination of changes in personal staffing decisions in the Senate between 1986 and 1987 -LRB- when control of that body changed party hands -RRB-, moreover, reveals that the personal staffing differences noted in the table can not be attributed to the disproportionate control Democrats exercise, due to their majority - party status, over other resources such as committee staff.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=proportion%1:24:00:: | definition=the quotient obtained when the magnitude of a part is divided by the magnitude of the whole
2. sense_key=proportion%1:07:00:: | definition=magnitude or extent | synonyms=dimension | examples=a building of vast proportions
3. sense_key=proportion%1:25:00:: | definition=balance among the parts of something | synonyms=symmetry
4. sense_key=proportion%1:24:01:: | definition=the relation between things (or parts of things) with respect to their comparative quantity, magnitude, or degree | synonyms=ratio | examples=an inordinate proportion of the book is given over to quotations; a dry martini has a large proportion of gin
5. sense_key=proportion%1:07:01:: | definition=harmonious arrangement or relation of parts or elements within a whole (as in a design); - John Ruskin | synonyms=proportionality, balance | examples=in all perfectly beautiful objects there is found the opposition of one part to another and a reciprocal balance

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content:
The task is to choose the best indexed sense for "proportion" in the given context. The candidate senses are numbered 1 to 5.
The context is: "Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices."

It's about allocating a higher proportion, meaning a larger part or percentage of their staff to district offices.

Looking at the candidate senses 1 to 5.

Sense 1: proportion%1:24:00:: definition=the quotient obtained when the magnitude of a part is divided by the magnitude of the whole

This is like 2/5 = 0.4, the fraction.

But in the sentence, "higher proportion" means they allocate more of it, like a larger share, not necessarily the ratio to the whole.

Sense 4: proportion%1:24:01:: definition=the relation between things (or parts of things) with respect to their comparative quantity, magnitude, or degree | synonyms=ratio | examples=an inordinate proportion of the book is given over to quotations; a dry martini has a large proportion of gin

The example is very close: "proportion of the book is given over to" – like allocated to, similar to "proportion of their personal staffs to district offices".

This matches the usage of "higher proportion" as a larger share or amount given to something.

Sense 2 is about magnitude/dimension, not fitting.

Sense 3 about balance/symmetry, no.

Sense 5 about harmonious arrangement, no.


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: personal
Target surface form: personal
Context:
First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House. The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959. Finally, as shown in the table, Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their <t>personal</t> staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices. An examination of changes in personal staffing decisions in the Senate between 1986 and 1987 -LRB- when control of that body changed party hands -RRB-, moreover, reveals that the personal staffing differences noted in the table can not be attributed to the disproportionate control Democrats exercise, due to their majority - party status, over other resources such as committee staff.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=personal%3:00:00:: | definition=concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality | examples=a personal favor; for your personal use
2. sense_key=personal%5:00:00:subjective:00 | definition=particular to a given individual
3. sense_key=personal%3:01:01:: | definition=of or arising from personality | examples=personal magnetism
4. sense_key=personal%5:00:00:physical:00 | definition=intimately concerning a person's body or physical being | examples=personal hygiene
5. sense_key=personal%3:01:00:: | definition=indicating grammatical person | examples=personal verb endings

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content:
The task is Word Sense Disambiguation for "personal" in the given context. I need to choose the best sense from the candidate senses.
The target word is "personal" in the context: "Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their <t>personal</t> staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices."

From the broader context: "GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do." and "changes in personal staffing decisions"

"Personal staff" means the staff allocated to individual legislators for their personal (individual) use, as opposed to committee or other staff.

Looking at candidates:

1. sense_key=personal%3:00:00 (concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality; examples: a personal favor; for your personal use) – This fits well: "personal staff" is staff for a particular person's (the legislator's) use.

2.


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: staff
Target surface form: staffs
Context:
First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House. The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959. Finally, as shown in the table, Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal <t>staffs</t> to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices. An examination of changes in personal staffing decisions in the Senate between 1986 and 1987 -LRB- when control of that body changed party hands -RRB-, moreover, reveals that the personal staffing differences noted in the table can not be attributed to the disproportionate control Democrats exercise, due to their majority - party status, over other resources such as committee staff.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=staff%1:14:01:: | definition=personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task | examples=the hospital has an excellent nursing staff; the general relied on his staff to make routine decisions
2. sense_key=staff%1:06:00:: | definition=a strong rod or stick with a specialized utilitarian purpose | examples=he walked with the help of a wooden staff
3. sense_key=staff%1:14:00:: | definition=the body of teachers and administrators at a school | synonyms=faculty | examples=the dean addressed the letter to the entire staff of the university
4. sense_key=staff%1:27:00:: | definition=building material consisting of plaster and hair; used to cover external surfaces of temporary structure (as at an exposition) or for decoration
5. sense_key=staff%1:10:01:: | definition=a rod carried as a symbol
6. sense_key=staff%1:10:00:: | definition=(music) the system of five horizontal lines on which the musical notes are written | synonyms=stave

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content:
The task is Word Sense Disambiguation for "staffs" in the given context. The target lemma is "staff", surface form "staffs".
The context is about congressional staff, personal staff budgets, allocating staffs to district offices. It's clearly about personnel in a political context.

Candidate 1: personnel who assist their superior... examples with hospital, general – that's general personnel.

Candidate 3: school staff, synonyms=faculty – that's for schools.


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: office
Target surface form: offices
Context:
First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House. The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959. Finally, as shown in the table, Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district <t>offices</t> -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices. An examination of changes in personal staffing decisions in the Senate between 1986 and 1987 -LRB- when control of that body changed party hands -RRB-, moreover, reveals that the personal staffing differences noted in the table can not be attributed to the disproportionate control Democrats exercise, due to their majority - party status, over other resources such as committee staff.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=office%1:06:00:: | definition=place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed | synonyms=business office | examples=he rented an office in the new building
2. sense_key=office%1:14:01:: | definition=an administrative unit of government | synonyms=agency, federal agency, government agency, bureau, authority | examples=the Central Intelligence Agency; the Census Bureau
3. sense_key=office%1:04:01:: | definition=the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group | synonyms=function, part, role | examples=the function of a teacher; the government must do its part
4. sense_key=office%1:26:00:: | definition=(of a government or government official) holding an office means being in power | synonyms=power | examples=being in office already gives a candidate a great advantage; during his first year in office
5. sense_key=office%1:14:00:: | definition=professional or clerical workers in an office | synonyms=office staff | examples=the whole office was late the morning of the blizzard
6. sense_key=office%1:04:00:: | definition=a religious rite or service prescribed by ecclesiastical authorities | examples=the offices of the mass
7. sense_key=office%1:04:02:: | definition=a job in an organization | synonyms=position, post, berth, spot, billet, place | examples=he occupied a post in the treasury

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content:
The task is to choose the best indexed sense for "offices" in the context. The target lemma is "office", surface form "offices".
The context is about Democrats allocating a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices, where local benefit-seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices.

It's specifically about "district offices" and "Washington offices" for congressional staff. So, "offices" here refers to physical places where the staff work, like district offices vs. the main office in Washington.

Looking at the candidates:

1.


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: local
Target surface form: local
Context:
First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House. The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959. Finally, as shown in the table, Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where <t>local</t> benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices. An examination of changes in personal staffing decisions in the Senate between 1986 and 1987 -LRB- when control of that body changed party hands -RRB-, moreover, reveals that the personal staffing differences noted in the table can not be attributed to the disproportionate control Democrats exercise, due to their majority - party status, over other resources such as committee staff.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=local%3:00:01:: | definition=relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area | examples=local taxes; local authorities
2. sense_key=local%3:01:01:: | definition=of or belonging to or characteristic of a particular locality or neighborhood | examples=local customs; local schools
3. sense_key=local%3:00:02:: | definition=affecting only a restricted part or area of the body | examples=local anesthesia

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content:
The task is Word Sense Disambiguation for "local" in the given context. I need to choose the best indexed sense from the candidates.
The target word is "local" in the context: "where <t>local</t> benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices."

The context discusses how Democrats allocate more staff to district offices for local benefit-seeking.

So, "local benefit-seeking" means seeking benefits that are local to the district, as opposed to national.

It's about duties that pertain to the locality or district.

Looking at candidates:

1. relating to administration of city/town/district rather than larger area. Examples: local taxes; local authorities.

This fits well because district offices are for local administration/duties.

 2. of or belonging to or characteristic of a particular locality or neighborhood. Examples: local customs; local schools.

Also fits, as local benefits are characteristic of the locality.

3. body-related – no.

Between 1 and 2, sense 1 mentions "administration of a city or town or district", which aligns with district offices and local duties in politics.

The text contrasts with national, and district vs Washington.

Also, "narrow constituent concerns" – local.

But I think sense 1 is better because it's specifically local vs larger area, and the definition matches the contrast.

In politics, "local" often means district-level vs national.

Sense 1's definition explicitly has "rather than a larger area", which matches the context perfectly.

Sense 2 is more general, like neighborhood characteristics.

For benefit-seeking, it's about local administration or concerns.

I choose 1.


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: duty
Target surface form: duties
Context:
First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House. The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959. Finally, as shown in the table, Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking <t>duties</t> matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices. An examination of changes in personal staffing decisions in the Senate between 1986 and 1987 -LRB- when control of that body changed party hands -RRB-, moreover, reveals that the personal staffing differences noted in the table can not be attributed to the disproportionate control Democrats exercise, due to their majority - party status, over other resources such as committee staff.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=duty%1:04:00:: | definition=the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force; ; - John D.Rockefeller Jr | synonyms=responsibility, obligation | examples=we must instill a sense of duty in our children; every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty
2. sense_key=duty%1:04:02:: | definition=work that you are obliged to perform for moral or legal reasons | examples=the duties of the job
3. sense_key=duty%1:21:00:: | definition=a government tax on imports or exports | synonyms=tariff | examples=they signed a treaty to lower duties on trade between their countries

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content:
The task is Word Sense Disambiguation for "duties" in the given context. The target lemma is "duty", surface form "duties".
The context mentions "local benefit - seeking <t>duties</t> matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices."

It's talking about duties in the sense of tasks or responsibilities that the personal staff has, particularly local benefit-seeking duties.

Looking at the candidates:

1.


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: national
Target surface form: national
Context:
First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House. The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959. Finally, as shown in the table, Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and <t>national</t> policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices. An examination of changes in personal staffing decisions in the Senate between 1986 and 1987 -LRB- when control of that body changed party hands -RRB-, moreover, reveals that the personal staffing differences noted in the table can not be attributed to the disproportionate control Democrats exercise, due to their majority - party status, over other resources such as committee staff.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=national%3:01:00:: | definition=of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country | examples=national hero; national anthem
2. sense_key=national%3:00:00:: | definition=limited to or in the interests of a particular nation | examples=national interests; isolationism is a strictly national policy
3. sense_key=national%3:00:01:: | definition=concerned with or applicable to or belonging to an entire nation or country | examples=the national government; national elections
4. sense_key=national%5:00:00:public:00 | definition=owned or maintained for the public by the national government | examples=national parks
5. sense_key=national%5:00:00:domestic:00 | definition=inside the country | synonyms=home, interior, internal | examples=the British Home Office has broader responsibilities than the United States Department of the Interior; the nation's internal politics
6. sense_key=national%3:01:02:: | definition=characteristic of or peculiar to the people of a nation | examples=a national trait
7. sense_key=national%3:01:01:: | definition=of or relating to nationality | examples=national origin

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content:
The task is to choose the best indexed sense for the target word "national" in the given context. The senses are numbered 1 to 7.
The target word is "national" in the context: "Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and <t>national</t> policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices."

It's contrasting local/district with national policy making.


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: policy
Target surface form: policy
Context:
First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House. The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959. Finally, as shown in the table, Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national <t>policy</t> making activities matter less relative to Washington offices. An examination of changes in personal staffing decisions in the Senate between 1986 and 1987 -LRB- when control of that body changed party hands -RRB-, moreover, reveals that the personal staffing differences noted in the table can not be attributed to the disproportionate control Democrats exercise, due to their majority - party status, over other resources such as committee staff.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=policy%1:09:00:: | definition=a plan of action adopted by an individual or social group | examples=it was a policy of retribution; a politician keeps changing his policies
2. sense_key=policy%1:10:00:: | definition=a line of argument rationalizing the course of action of a government | examples=they debated the policy or impolicy of the proposed legislation
3. sense_key=policy%1:10:02:: | definition=written contract or certificate of insurance | synonyms=insurance policy, insurance | examples=you should have read the small print on your policy

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content:
The task is Word Sense Disambiguation for "policy" in the given context. I need to choose the best sense from the three candidates.
The context is about political philosophy, congressional Republicans and Democrats, personal staff budgets, local benefit-seeking vs. national policy making activities.

The word is "policy" in "national policy making activities matter less".

It's clearly about government policy, like plans of action or lines of argument for government.

Sense 1: plan of action adopted by social group – fits policy making.

Sense 2: line of argument rationalizing course of action of government – also fits, but "policy making" is more about adopting the plan.

In politics, "policy" often means the specific decisions or plans.


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: making
Target surface form: making
Context:
First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House. The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959. Finally, as shown in the table, Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy <t>making</t> activities matter less relative to Washington offices. An examination of changes in personal staffing decisions in the Senate between 1986 and 1987 -LRB- when control of that body changed party hands -RRB-, moreover, reveals that the personal staffing differences noted in the table can not be attributed to the disproportionate control Democrats exercise, due to their majority - party status, over other resources such as committee staff.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=making%1:04:00:: | definition=the act that results in something coming to be | synonyms=devising, fashioning | examples=the devising of plans; the fashioning of pots and pans
2. sense_key=making%1:07:00:: | definition=an attribute that must be met or complied with and that fits a person for something | synonyms=qualification | examples=her qualifications for the job are excellent; one of the qualifications for admission is an academic degree
3. sense_key=making%1:06:00:: | definition=(usually plural) the components needed for making or doing something | examples=the recipe listed all the makings for a chocolate cake

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content: The task is Word Sense Disambiguation for "making" in the given context. I need to choose the best sense from the three candidates.


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: activity
Target surface form: activities
Context:
First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House. The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959. Finally, as shown in the table, Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making <t>activities</t> matter less relative to Washington offices. An examination of changes in personal staffing decisions in the Senate between 1986 and 1987 -LRB- when control of that body changed party hands -RRB-, moreover, reveals that the personal staffing differences noted in the table can not be attributed to the disproportionate control Democrats exercise, due to their majority - party status, over other resources such as committee staff.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=activity%1:04:00:: | definition=any specific behavior | examples=they avoided all recreational activity
2. sense_key=activity%1:26:00:: | definition=the state of being active | synonyms=action, activeness | examples=his sphere of activity; he is out of action
3. sense_key=activity%1:22:00:: | definition=an organic process that takes place in the body | synonyms=bodily process, body process, bodily function | examples=respiratory activity
4. sense_key=activity%1:26:01:: | definition=(chemistry) the capacity of a substance to take part in a chemical reaction | examples=catalytic activity
5. sense_key=activity%1:22:01:: | definition=a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings) | synonyms=natural process, natural action, action | examples=the action of natural forces; volcanic activity
6. sense_key=activity%1:07:00:: | definition=the trait of being active; moving or acting rapidly and energetically | synonyms=activeness | examples=the level of activity declines with age

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content:
The task is Word Sense Disambiguation for "activities" in the given context. The target lemma is "activity".
The target word is "activities" in the context: "national policy making <t>activities</t> matter less relative to Washington offices."

The sentence is: "Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit-seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices."

So, "national policy making activities" refers to the specific tasks or actions involved in national policy making.

Looking at the candidates:

1.


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: relative
Target surface form: relative
Context:
First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House. The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959. Finally, as shown in the table, Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less <t>relative</t> to Washington offices. An examination of changes in personal staffing decisions in the Senate between 1986 and 1987 -LRB- when control of that body changed party hands -RRB-, moreover, reveals that the personal staffing differences noted in the table can not be attributed to the disproportionate control Democrats exercise, due to their majority - party status, over other resources such as committee staff.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=relative%3:00:00:: | definition=estimated by comparison; not absolute or complete | synonyms=comparative | examples=a relative stranger
2. sense_key=relative%5:00:00:proportionate:00 | definition=properly related in size or degree or other measurable characteristics; usually followed by `to' | synonyms=proportional | examples=the punishment ought to be proportional to the crime; earnings relative to production

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content:
The task is to choose the best indexed sense for "relative" in the given context. There are two candidate senses.
The context says: "Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less <t>relative</t> to Washington offices."

And it's "relative to Washington offices." So, it's specifying that they matter less relative to Washington offices, meaning in comparison to Washington offices.

This is using "relative to" as "in relation to" or "compared to".

Looking at candidate senses:

1. estimated by comparison; not absolute or complete | synonyms=comparative | examples=a relative stranger

This is the comparative sense, like something relative to a 3rd thing, estimated comparatively.

2. properly related in size or degree or other measurable characteristics; usually followed by `to' | synonyms=proportional | examples=the punishment ought to be proportional to the crime; earnings relative to production

This one explicitly says usually followed by `to', and has example "ear earnings relative to production"

In the context, "matter less relative to Washington offices" – it's about the degree of mattering being less in relation to (compared with) Washington offices.

It's comparative in degree.

But the definition in 2 is about being proportional, but the example uses "relative to" for earnings relative to production, which is a ratio, proportional.

In the sentence, it's not exactly proportion, but comparative.


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: office
Target surface form: offices
Context:
First, economists James Bennett and Thomas DiLorenzo find that GOP senators turn back roughly 10% more of their allocated personal staff budgets than Democrats do. To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House. The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959. Finally, as shown in the table, Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington <t>offices</t>. An examination of changes in personal staffing decisions in the Senate between 1986 and 1987 -LRB- when control of that body changed party hands -RRB-, moreover, reveals that the personal staffing differences noted in the table can not be attributed to the disproportionate control Democrats exercise, due to their majority - party status, over other resources such as committee staff.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=office%1:06:00:: | definition=place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed | synonyms=business office | examples=he rented an office in the new building
2. sense_key=office%1:14:01:: | definition=an administrative unit of government | synonyms=agency, federal agency, government agency, bureau, authority | examples=the Central Intelligence Agency; the Census Bureau
3. sense_key=office%1:04:01:: | definition=the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group | synonyms=function, part, role | examples=the function of a teacher; the government must do its part
4. sense_key=office%1:26:00:: | definition=(of a government or government official) holding an office means being in power | synonyms=power | examples=being in office already gives a candidate a great advantage; during his first year in office
5. sense_key=office%1:14:00:: | definition=professional or clerical workers in an office | synonyms=office staff | examples=the whole office was late the morning of the blizzard
6. sense_key=office%1:04:00:: | definition=a religious rite or service prescribed by ecclesiastical authorities | examples=the offices of the mass
7. sense_key=office%1:04:02:: | definition=a job in an organization | synonyms=position, post, berth, spot, billet, place | examples=he occupied a post in the treasury

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content:
The task is Word Sense Disambiguation for "office" in "Washington <t>offices</t>".
The context is: "Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington <t>offices</t>."

It's about Washington offices, in the context of personal staffs in Congress. So, these are offices in Washington, meaning physical locations in Washington for the staff.

The candidates:

1. place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed – that fits a physical office.

2. administrative unit of government – like agency, no.

3. actions and activities – no.

4.


[System] You are an English linguist performing fine-grained Word Sense Disambiguation. WordNet glosses are schematic. Use the sentence context, the examples, and the synonyms to choose the best indexed sense. Do not hedge. Choose the single best indexed sense.

[User]
Target lemma: examination
Target surface form: examination
Context:
To the extent that the primary duty of personal staff involves local benefit - seeking, this indicates that political philosophy leads congressional Republicans to pay less attention to narrow constituent concerns. Second, if the key assumption is valid, Democrats should have lower attendance rates on roll-call votes than Republicans do to the extent that such votes reflect national policy making and that participating in such votes takes away from the time a legislator could otherwise devote to local benefit - seeking. This is indeed what the data indicate, particularly in the case of the House. The Democratic House attendance rate has not exceeded the Republican House attendance rate since 1959. Finally, as shown in the table, Democrats allocate a higher proportion of their personal staffs to district offices -- where local benefit - seeking duties matter more and national policy making activities matter less relative to Washington offices. An <t>examination</t> of changes in personal staffing decisions in the Senate between 1986 and 1987 -LRB- when control of that body changed party hands -RRB-, moreover, reveals that the personal staffing differences noted in the table can not be attributed to the disproportionate control Democrats exercise, due to their majority - party status, over other resources such as committee staff. An additional piece of evidence from the Senate: Holding other factors constant, such as incumbency advantages and regional factors, the difference between popular votes for Republican presidential and senatorial candidates in states conducting a Senate election turns out to be a positive function of how onerous the federal government's tax burden is per state -LRB- a progressive tax rate hits higher - income states harder -RRB-.

Candidate senses:
1. sense_key=examination%1:04:00:: | definition=the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes) | synonyms=scrutiny
2. sense_key=examination%1:10:00:: | definition=a set of questions or exercises evaluating skill or knowledge | synonyms=exam, test | examples=when the test was stolen the professor had to make a new set of questions
3. sense_key=examination%1:10:01:: | definition=formal systematic questioning | synonyms=interrogation, interrogatory
4. sense_key=examination%1:09:03:: | definition=a detailed inspection of your conscience (as done daily by Jesuits) | synonyms=examen
5. sense_key=examination%1:04:02:: | definition=the act of giving students or candidates a test (as by questions) to determine what they know or have learned | synonyms=testing

Instructions:
1. Choose the single best indexed sense for the target word in context.
2. WordNet glosses are schematic; use the context, synonyms, and examples together.
3. Do not answer with a WordNet sense key.
4. Return only a JSON object exactly like {"sense_index": 3}.

reasoning_content:
The task is Word Sense Disambiguation for "examination" in the given context. I need to choose the best sense from the candidates.
The context is: "An <t>examination</t> of changes in personal staffing decisions in the Senate between 1986 and 1987..."

It's talking about examining or analyzing changes in staffing decisions.