Question 1
The suffix -ness appears in words like frankness and
attentiveness. What does this suffix mean?
"-ness" attaches to adjectives to form nouns meaning "state or
quality of." Frankness = the quality of being frank;
attentiveness = the state of being attentive. Almost any adjective
can take "-ness," making it one of the most productive suffixes in
English.
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Answer question 1 to unlock
The suffix -ment appears in words like acknowledgment and
abandonment. What does this suffix mean?
"-ment" converts verbs into nouns naming an action, process, or
result. Acknowledgment = the act of acknowledging;
abandonment = the act or result of abandoning. The underlying verb
is always identifiable: acknowledge → acknowledgment, abandon →
abandonment.
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Answer question 2 to unlock
The suffix -ist appears in words like antagonist and
specialist. What does this suffix mean?
"-ist" forms nouns naming a person who holds a belief, performs a
craft, or fills a role. Antagonist = one who contends against;
specialist = one who specializes in a field. The suffix pairs with
"-ism": antagonism/antagonist.
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Answer question 3 to unlock
The word methodical contains the suffix -ical, an extended
form of the base suffix -ic. Both forms mean "relating to or
characteristic of," as in ironic and ironical. How does
-ical shape the meaning of methodical?
"-ical" (a variant of "-ic") forms adjectives meaning
"relating to or characterized by." Methodical = characterized by
careful use of method — systematic and orderly. Unlike historic/
historical, the pair methodic/methodical does
not carry distinct meanings.
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Answer question 4 to unlock
The suffix -able forms adjectives meaning "capable of or worthy of,"
as in believable. When attached to Latin roots, the same suffix
typically appears as -ible. The word plausible contains
-ible, and its root plaus- relates to approval or applause.
How does -ible shape the meaning of plausible?
"-ible" (a variant of "-able") means "capable of or worthy
of." Plausible = worthy of being accepted as credible — seeming
probable or reasonable. The root plaus- relates to approval: what
is plausible deserves at least tentative acceptance.
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Answer question 5 to unlock
The word moment ends in -ment. A student applies the
suffix rule and guesses that moment names the act or result of some
underlying verb. What is wrong with this reasoning?
Not every "-ment" ending is the noun suffix. Moment is
borrowed from Latin momentum (movement, impulse), and its
"-ment" is part of the original root — there is no English verb
"to mome." When "-ment" is a productive English suffix, a
recognizable verb is always identifiable beneath it: move →
movement, achieve → achievement.
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Answer question 6 to unlock
The word conformist contains the suffix -ist. Which
statement best describes what -ist contributes to this word?
"-ist" marks a person who holds a belief or regularly performs an
action. Conformist = one who conforms to accepted norms and
expectations. The suffix works identically in antagonist (one who
acts against) and specialist (one who specializes).
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Answer question 7 to unlock
The suffix -ness appears in obsequiousness. The root
obsequious means "excessively eager to please or comply." What
does obsequiousness most likely mean?
"-ness" converts the adjective obsequious into a noun
meaning "state or quality of." Obsequiousness = the quality of
being obsequious — of flattering or complying in an excessive, servile way,
often to gain advantage or avoid conflict.
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Answer question 8 to unlock
The suffix -ic appears in sardonic. The root derives from
Greek sardonikos, describing a bitter, scornful expression —
historically associated with a Sardinian plant said to cause convulsive
facial grimacing. What does sardonic most likely mean?
"-ic" forms adjectives meaning "relating to or characteristic of."
Sardonic = characterized by a scornful, bitterly mocking manner —
like the forced grimace the Sardinian plant supposedly caused. Compare
sarcastic (taunting) and ironic (saying the opposite of
what is meant).
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Answer question 9 to unlock
The suffix -ible appears in irascible. The root
irasc- comes from Latin ira, meaning "anger." What does
irascible most likely mean?
"-ible" means "capable of." Irascible = very easily
capable of anger — prone to sudden outbursts of temper. The root ira
also appears in irate (enraged) and ireful (full of
wrath). The suffix does the same work here as in credible (capable
of being believed).
correct answers
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