1. abnormal 2. adhere 3. subterranean 4. antepenultimate 5. bimonthly 6. contradict 7. dissect 8. dyspepsia 9. atypical 10 . affix 11. euphemism 12 . exculpated 13 . prenuptial 14 . conspire 15 . circumference 16 . antacid 17. bipartisan 18 . antithesis 19 . demote 20. decrease 21. aseptic 22. retroactive 23. recover 24. progress 25. perforate 170 Part III: Detailed Review of Items Tested Answers Roots A root is a base to which you can attach prefixes or suffixes. Like prefixes and suffixes, roots come from Latin, Greek, or other language origins. An understand- ing of certain roots can help you recognize the meaning of words that you may not otherwise know. -cide- The root -cide- is used in nouns that derive from the verb “kill.” Joseph committed fratricide. Meaning: Joseph killed his brother. This cleaning product contains a strong germicide. Meaning: This cleaning product contains a strong substance that kills germs. Pesticides can be very dangerous for humans. Meaning: Substances that kill pests can be very dangerous for humans. Charles was contemplating suicide. Meaning: Charles was contemplating killing himself. That man was found guilty of homicide. Meaning: That man was found guilty of killing a person. For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org -corp- The root -corp- means “body” or “bodily.” We’re removing our child from that school because we don’t believe in corporal punishment. Meaning: We’re removing our child from that school because we don’t be- lieve in bodily punishment. The children found a corpse under the bridge. Meaning: The children found a dead body under the bridge. The corpus of the book is finished. Meaning: The body of the book is finished. This information must be incorporated into the main text. Meaning: This information must be put into the body of the main text. -cred- The root -cred- means “believe.” I find it very difficult to give credence to his statements. Meaning: I find it very difficult to believe his statements. Sarah is very credulous. Meaning: Sarah is too ready to believe (easy to deceive). I need to see your credentials. Meaning: I need to see the documents that make it so people can believe your identity. It was an incredible performance. Meaning: It was an unbelievable (unbelievably good) performance. -cur-, -curr-, or -curs- The roots -cur-, -curr, or -curs- mean “run.” His precursor was well liked by all. Meaning: His forerunner (the person who came before him) was well liked by all. 171 Reading For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org He gave the script a cursory glance before tossing it aside. Meaning: He ran his eyes over the script hastily before tossing it aside. The children are learning to write cursive. Meaning: The children are learning to write running, or flowing, handwriting. The criminal was given concurrent sentences in prison. Meaning: The criminal was given prison sentences that ran together. -duc- or -duct- The roots -duc- or -duct- mean “lead,” “conduct,” “bring,” or “draw.” You can deduce from the evidence that he was murdered. Meaning: You can be led to the conclusion from the evidence that he was murdered. This room is always warm because the air-conditioning duct is too small. Meaning: This room is always warm because the tube that leads the cool air here from the air conditioner is too small. They tried to induce him to give up smoking. Meaning: They tried to lead (convince) him to give up smoking. Listening to a loud radio while reading is not conducive to good study habits. Meaning: Listening to a loud radio while reading does not lead to good study habits. -fid- The root -fid- means “faith” or “trust.” As the trustee, you have fiduciary responsibilities. Meaning: As the trustee, you have responsibilities of being faithful and trustworthy. His infidelity resulted in his divorce. Meaning: His unfaithfulness resulted in his divorce. Her confidence in herself causes others to feel at ease. Meaning: Her faith or trust in herself causes others to feel at ease. 172 Part III: Detailed Review of Items Tested For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org Jane has always been Helen’s confidant. Meaning: Jane has always been the one that Helen could trust with personal matters. -ject- The root -ject- means to “throw” or “transfer.” Don’s request for an extension was rejected. Meaning: Don’s request for an extension was refused (thrown back at him). The horse was injected with a painkiller. Meaning: The horse had painkiller introduced (transferred or thrown in) with a syringe. “But what about her?” he interjected. Meaning: “But what about her?” he interposed (threw into the conversation). -mor- or -mort- The roots -mor- or -mort- mean “death,” “dead,” or “dying.” This church believes in immortality. Meaning: This church believes in eternal life (no death). Angel is studying to become a mortician. Meaning: Angel is studying to become a person who takes care of dead bodies. The environmentalists have struggled for years to save the moribund lake. Meaning: The environmentalists have struggled for years to save the dying lake. George was mortified by the memory of his first dance. Meaning: George felt extreme shame (wanted to die) when he thought of his first dance. -omni- The root -omni- means “all,” “many,” or “every.” This legislation came from an omnibus bill. Meaning: This legislation came from a bill that covered many different subjects. 173 Reading For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org We shouldn’t let this committee become omnipotent. Meaning: We shouldn’t let this committee become all powerful. A mortal cannot be omniscient. Meaning: A mortal cannot be all knowing. That animal is omnivorous. Meaning: That animal eats everything. -ped- The root -ped- means “foot.” The centipede crawled slowly up the leaf. Meaning: The hundred-footed animal crawled slowly up the leaf. We shouldn’t impede her progress. Meaning: We shouldn’t hinder (stop the feet of) her progress. The pedestrian was hit by a car. Meaning: The person on foot was hit by a car. The bicycle’s pedal is stuck. Meaning: The bicycle’s lever operated by a foot is stuck. -rupt- The root -rupt- means “break” or “burst.” Make sure that you distinguish -rupt- from -fract- when discussing the body. You fracture something hard, like a bone, and rupture something soft, like an organ. The sewer pipes ruptured. Meaning: The sewer pipes burst. His skin erupted in a rash. Meaning: His skin broke out in a rash. The angry man disrupted the meeting. Meaning: The angry man broke up the meeting. Do not interrupt me. Meaning: Do not break into my conversation. 174 Part III: Detailed Review of Items Tested For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org -secut- or -sequ- The root -secut- or -sequ- means “follow.” We’ll be meeting on five consecutive Saturdays. Meaning: We’ll be meeting on five Saturdays following each other (in a row). He suffered serious consequences for his carelessness with his client’s money. Meaning: His carelessness with his client’s money was followed by serious misfortune for him. I am sure a sequel to this movie will come out next year. Meaning: I am sure this movie will be followed with a continuation. It’s not enough to plan. You must execute those plans. Meaning: It’s not enough to plan. You must follow through with those plans. -string- or -strict- The roots -string- or -strict- mean “bind,” “close,” or “tight.” He underwent surgery to correct a stricture in the urethral canal. Meaning: He underwent surgery to correct a place in his urethral canal that had partially closed or become too tight. His probation office restricted his activities greatly. Meaning: His probation officer placed tight controls on his activities. The boa constrictor is a family pet. Meaning: The snake known for squeezing its prey tightly is a family pet. The professor made very stringent rules about the written work of her stu- dents. Meaning: The professor made very tight (strict) rules about the written work of her students. -tact-, -tang-, -tig-, or -ting- The roots -tact-, -tang-, -tig-, and -ting- mean “touch.” I need to contact Professor Byrd. Meaning: I need to get in touch with Professor Byrd. 175 Reading For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org He had to pay quite a bit of money in intangible tax last week. Meaning: He had to pay quite a bit of money in tax on items that you can’t touch (stocks, mortgages, and bonds) last week. The two properties are contiguous. Meaning: The two properties are touching each other. His tactile sense was damaged in the fire. Meaning: His sense of touch was damaged in the fire. -vict- or -vinc- The roots -vict- and -vinc- mean “conquer,” “prevail,” “use authority,” or “overcome.” Sally convinced her employers to change the overtime rule. Meaning: Sally prevailed in an argument with her employers to change the overtime rule. The sheriff evicted the tenants because they hadn’t paid their rent. Meaning: The sheriff used authority to remove the tenants because they hadn’t paid their rent. The politician was convicted of accepting a bribe from a contractor. Meaning: The politician was conquered in a trial for accepting a bribe from a contractor. The victor shook hands with his opponent. Meaning: The one who prevailed (won) shook hands with his opponent. -viv- The root -viv- means “life,” “live,” “lively,” or “alive.” The lifeguard revived the child he pulled from the pool. Meaning: The lifeguard brought the child back to life after pulling him from the pool. The eagles have survived in Acadia National Park because parts of the park have been closed to protect them. Meaning: The eagles have continued to live in Acadia National Park because parts of the park have been closed to protect them. 176 Part III: Detailed Review of Items Tested For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org Jonathan has a vivid personality. Meaning: Jonathan has a personality that is lively, or full of life. -vor- or -vour- The roots -vor- and -vour- mean “eat.” This animal is carnivorous. Meaning: This animal eats meat. That animal is herbivorous. Meaning: That animal eats plants. That animal is an insectivore. Meaning: That animal eats insects. The homeless man devoured everything on his plate. Meaning: The homeless man ate everything on his plate ravenously. Michael is a big boy for his age and has a voracious appetite. Meaning: Michael is a big boy for his age and eats a lot. Root Practice Exercise Choose the correct root that, when added to the remainder of the word, gives the meaning indicated. Write your answer choice on the line provided. Sample Q. -cide- -corp- -duct- -ject- Meaning of root: to kill (noun variation) Meaning of whole word: killing one’s brother Scott was arrested for fratri_____. Write the root cide on the line after fratri to form the word fratricide. 177 Reading For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org 1. -corp- -grad- -tact- -ject- Meaning of root: throw Meaning of whole word: throw a comment into conversation If she inter_____s one more time, I will leave. 2. -mor- -grat- -corp- -cred- Meaning of root: thank Meaning of whole word: money to thank, tip Jennifer left a large tip because she didn’t realize that the menu said the _____uity was included. 3. -fract- -rupt- -secut- -ped- Meaning of root: break Meaning of whole word: burst He’s in intensive care, not because of the broken bones, but because of a _____ured spleen. 4. -corp- -cred- -ped- -vict- Meaning of root: believe Meaning of whole word: belief Julie gives no _____ence to anything Becky says. 5. -cred- -curs- -fract- -duct- Meaning of root: run Meaning of whole word: running style Michelle finds it difficult to read _____ive writing. 6. -duc- -cur- -flect- -rupt- Meaning of root: lead Meaning of whole word: lead, cause The mediator attempted to elicit informa- tion to in_____e the parties to settle. 178 Part III: Detailed Review of Items Tested For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org 7. -corp- -cred- -grat- -fid- Meaning of root: trust Meaning of whole word: relationship of faith or trust Rob was suspended from practicing law because of a breach of _____uciary re- sponsibility. 8. -mort- -ped- -secut- -viv- Meaning of root: death Meaning of whole word: not subject to death, not able to die Sometimes teenagers seem to believe they are im_____al. 9. -string- -tact- -vict- -rupt- Meaning of root: conquer Meaning of whole word: remove from property Ms. Rodgers retrieved the order from the court clerk so the sheriff could e_____ the tenants quickly. 10 . -rupt- -ject- -gress- -flect- Meaning of root: bent Meaning of whole word: bent aside Light is often de_____ed by light colors and absorbed by dark colors, making dark materials hotter than light materials. 11. -fract- -flect- -rupt- -secut- Meaning of root: break Meaning of whole word: broken Doctors can’t put a cast on a _____ured rib; the only way to hold it together while it heals is to apply a tight wrap around the entire torso. 12 . -ped- -gress- -tact- -secut- Meaning of root: follow Meaning of whole word: following each other The board members were upset that Mary missed three con_____ive meetings. 179 Reading For more material and information, please visit Tai Lieu Du Hoc at www.tailieuduhoc.org . . antacid 17. bipartisan 18 . antithesis 19 . demote 20. decrease 21. aseptic 22. retroactive 23. recover 24. progress 25. perforate 170 Part III: Detailed. found a dead body under the bridge. The corpus of the book is finished. Meaning: The body of the book is finished. This information must be incorporated