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?
Recognizing that "-ious" forms adjectives meaning "full of or
having the quality of," and that perspicac- means "sharp-sighted,"
gives: perspicacious = having the quality of sharp mental sight —
perceiving what others overlook. The suffix does the same work here as in
loquacious (full of speech) and tenacious (full of
holding-on).
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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?
Recognizing that "-ate" forms verbs meaning "to act upon or cause,"
and that melior means "better," gives: ameliorate = to
make better. The prefix a- (toward) reinforces the direction of
change. The suffix does the same work as in generate (to cause to
come into being) and exacerbate (to make bitterly worse).
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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?
Recognizing that "-ity" forms nouns meaning "state or quality of,"
and combining magnus (great) + animus (spirit), gives:
magnanimity = the quality of being great in spirit. The word
describes a generous, noble-minded attitude — rising above bitterness or
self-interest, especially toward a rival.
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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?
Recognizing that "-ible" means "capable of or worthy of," and
applying in- (not) + imit- (to copy), gives:
inimitable = not capable of being imitated — unique and impossible
to reproduce. The suffix does the same work as in credible (capable
of being believed) and indelible (not capable of being erased).
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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?
Recognizing that "-ent" forms adjectives meaning "having the
quality of," and applying in- (not) + transigere (to come
to terms), gives: intransigent = having the quality of not coming
to terms — stubbornly refusing to compromise. The suffix does the same work
as in resilient (having the quality of springing back) and
truculent (having the quality of being fierce).
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Answer question 5 to unlock
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?
Recognizing that "-ly" converts an adjective into an adverb
meaning "in the manner of," and that assidu- means "constantly
present, persistently at work," gives: assiduously = in a
persistently hardworking and careful manner. The suffix does the same work
as in reluctantly (in a reluctant manner) and perfunctorily
(in a perfunctory manner).
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Answer question 6 to unlock
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?
Recognizing that "-ance" forms nouns meaning "state, quality, or
process of," and combining mal- (bad) + feas- (to do or
act), gives: malfeasance = the state of doing badly — wrongdoing
or misconduct, especially by someone in a position of public trust. The
suffix does the same work as in tolerance (quality of tolerating)
and persistence (state of persisting).
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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?
Recognizing that "-ative" forms adjectives meaning "tending to or
relating to," and that pejor- means "worse," gives:
pejorative = tending to make something seem worse — expressing
belittlement or contempt. The suffix does the same work as in
informative (relating to informing) and remunerative
(tending to provide payment).
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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?
Recognizing that "-ism" forms nouns naming a practice or doctrine,
and combining eikon (image) + klan (to break), gives:
iconoclasm = the practice of breaking icons — of challenging or
dismantling established beliefs and revered institutions. The suffix does
the same work as in skepticism (practice of questioning) and
cynicism (practice of doubting).
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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?
Recognizing that "-tion" forms nouns naming an act or state, and
combining circum (around) + spect (to look or see),
gives: circumspection = the act of looking all around before
acting — careful attention to all aspects of a situation. The suffix does
the same work as in description (act of describing) and
tension (state of being stretched or strained).
correct answers
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