Question 1

The root perspicac- comes from Latin meaning "sharp-sighted" or "clear-seeing." A senior editor praised a junior reporter's analysis as perspicacious, noting it revealed patterns no one else had identified. What does perspicacious most likely mean?

• A given to making confident predictions that later prove incorrect
• B relating to a preference for visual reasoning over verbal analysis
• C prone to viewing situations with excessive caution or suspicion
• D having keen insight or sharp mental perception

🔒 Answer question 1 to unlock

The root melior comes from Latin meaning "better." A series of policy reforms was introduced to ameliorate living conditions in underserved communities. What does ameliorate most likely mean?

• A to slow the pace of change in order to preserve existing structures
• B to study or document difficult conditions without intervening
• C to make better; to improve a painful or difficult situation
• D to make a situation worse by drawing unwanted attention to it

🔒 Answer question 2 to unlock

The root combines Latin magnus (great) and animus (spirit or mind). Observers were struck by the champion's magnanimity toward her defeated rival, whom she praised at length despite their bitter season-long rivalry. What does magnanimity most likely mean?

• A the quality of being great in military or strategic skill
• B the act of publicly forgiving an opponent in order to gain political advantage
• C the state of maintaining composure despite suffering a major defeat
• D the quality of being great in spirit; generous and noble-minded toward others

🔒 Answer question 3 to unlock

The prefix in- means "not," and the root imit- comes from Latin meaning "to copy or imitate." Critics unanimously described the choreographer's style as inimitable, arguing that decades of imitators had only highlighted how singular her vision was. What does inimitable most likely mean?

• A not willing to adopt the styles or techniques of others
• B not yet recognized as a distinctive or consistent style
• C not worthy of being imitated or admired
• D not capable of being imitated; unique and impossible to copy

🔒 Answer question 4 to unlock

The prefix in- means "not," and the root transigere comes from Latin meaning "to come to terms or settle." After weeks of intransigent behavior at the negotiating table, the delegation walked out without an agreement. What does intransigent most likely mean?

• A having the quality of making excessive demands in exchange for small concessions
• B having the quality of reversing positions unexpectedly during negotiations
• C having the quality of acting without sufficient preparation
• D having the quality of refusing to compromise; stubbornly unyielding

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The root assidu- comes from Latin meaning "constantly present" or "persistently at work." The archivist assiduously catalogued every letter in the collection, cross-referencing names and dates across thousands of documents. What does assiduously most likely mean?

• A in a selective and impressionistic manner rather than systematically
• B in an impatient and hurried manner, driven by external pressure
• C in a manner that prioritizes speed over thoroughness
• D in a persistently diligent and careful manner

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The prefix mal- means "bad," and the root feas- comes from Latin facere, meaning "to do or act." The audit uncovered widespread financial malfeasance that had gone undetected for years. What does malfeasance most likely mean?

• A the quality of making decisions that are poorly conceived but not intentionally harmful
• B wrongdoing or misconduct, especially by a person in a position of public trust
• C the process of investigating and documenting official misconduct
• D the state of performing a duty with excessive slowness or caution

🔒 Answer question 7 to unlock

The root pejor- comes from Latin meaning "worse." The word "amateur" was once neutral but has acquired a pejorative connotation over time, suggesting incompetence rather than mere unpaid status. What does pejorative most likely mean?

• A relating to the gradual shift of a word’s meaning over time
• B tending to express disapproval or contempt; having a belittling connotation
• C tending to place something in a more favorable light than it deserves
• D tending to describe something with excessive technical precision

🔒 Answer question 8 to unlock

The root combines Greek eikon (image or icon) and klan (to break). The philosopher was celebrated for his iconoclasm, repeatedly challenging assumptions that colleagues had long treated as beyond question. What does iconoclasm most likely mean?

• A the doctrine that symbols and images carry inherent moral significance
• B the practice of attacking or overturning established beliefs and institutions
• C the belief that all authority figures should be rejected on principle
• D the practice of producing highly detailed visual representations of ideas

🔒 Answer question 9 to unlock

The root combines Latin circum (around) and spect (to look or see). The surgeon was known for her circumspection: she never began a procedure without reviewing every scan and consulting at least two colleagues. What does circumspection most likely mean?

• A the state of being unable to reach a decision without extensive external guidance
• B the act of examining others’ motives with suspicion before trusting them
• C the process of consulting a wide range of advisers before committing to a course of action
• D careful attention to all aspects of a situation before acting; caution and prudence