Root Cause
(Identify the meaning of roots and affixes)
(Identify the meaning of roots and affixes)
What does the suffix -ize mean?
To make or to cause to become.
Explain the meaning of "fertile" by breaking down the root "fer".
able to bear or produce abundantly
If I tell you that fertile means “able to bear fruit,” what does fertilize mean?
To make (-ize) able to bear or produce.
In which sentence could you use the word synthesis?
a) The scientist explained her ____ of two ideas.
b) The scientist forgot to ____ her lunch.
(a) The scientist explained her synthesis of two ideas.
Reason: Synthesis is a noun that means “a combination or putting together of ideas,” so option (a) makes sense. Option (b) is incorrect because synthesis cannot mean “forget.”
What does the suffix -ence mean?
The quality or state of.
Explain the meaning of "synthesis" by breaking down its parts.
The process (-sis) of putting together (syn-) ideas.
If I tell you that abstruse means “difficult to understand,” what does abstrusity mean?
The characteristic or state (-ity) of being difficult to understand.
In which sentence could you use the word inference?
a) The teacher asked me to explain my ____.
b) The teacher told me to ____ the homework on time.
(a) The teacher asked me to explain my inference.
Reason: Inference is a noun meaning “a conclusion drawn from evidence,” so it fits in (a). In (b), a verb is needed, not a noun.
What does the suffix -sis mean?
The act, process, or result of.
Explain the meaning of "audience" by breaking down its parts. "Aud" means listen.
A group of people (-ence: state or quality) who listen (aud).
If I tell you that thesis means “a statement or idea,” what does synthesis mean?
The process (-sis) of putting ideas together (syn-).
In which sentence could you use the word fertilize?
a) The farmer decided to ____ the soil.
b) The farmer enjoyed the ____ of the soil.
(a) The farmer decided to fertilize the soil.
Reason: Fertilize is a verb meaning “to make soil more productive,” so it fits in (a). In (b), a verb is needed, but the blank suggests a noun.
What does the root fer mean?
"to carry" or "to bear" or "to bring" or "to produce"
Explain the meaning of "finalize" by breaking down its parts.
To make (-ize) something finished or complete.
If I tell you that someone is eloquent when they “speak well,” what does eloquence mean?
The quality or state (-ence) of speaking well.
In which sentence could you use the word electricity?
a) The storm knocked out the ____.
b) The storm decided to ____ the house.
(a) The storm knocked out the electricity.
Reason: Electricity is a noun referring to energy, which fits the context in (a). In (b), the word electricity cannot act as a verb.
What does the prefix syn- mean?
"together" or "with"
Explain the meaning of "activity" by breaking down its parts.
The state (-ity) of being active.
If I tell you that someone is active, what does activity mean?
The state or condition (-ity) of being active.
In which sentence could you use the word diagnosis?
a) The doctor gave me a ____.
b) The doctor decided to ____ the soil.
(a) The doctor gave me a diagnosis.
Reason: Diagnosis is a noun meaning “the identification of a medical condition,” so (a) is correct. (b) is unrelated and nonsensical.