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Difficulty: MediumRoot Word Analysis

Vocabulary words often inherit their core meanings from ancestral word parts. Which definition correctly corresponds to each root-derived term?

  • BelligerentHostile, combative, and aggressive
  • LoquaciousExtremely talkative and wordy
  • TenaciousHolding firmly and persistently
  • VoraciousDevouring great quantities greedily

Answer

Belligerent matches 'Hostile, combative, and aggressive'; Loquacious matches 'Extremely talkative and wordy'; Tenacious matches 'Holding firmly and persistently'; Voracious matches 'Devouring great quantities greedily'.
Each term accurately matches its definition based on classical Latin roots: 'belli-' (war) indicates combativeness in belligerent; 'loqu-' (speech) indicates talkativeness in loquacious; 'ten-' (to hold) indicates firmness in tenacious; and 'vor-' (to devour) indicates insatiable consumption in voracious.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Isolate and identify the primary root in each vocabulary term
Belligerent contains 'belli-' (war/fight); Loquacious contains 'loqu-' (speak/talk); Tenacious contains 'ten-' (hold/grip); Voracious contains 'vor-' (eat/devour).
Identifying the root allows direct deduction of the word's fundamental meaning.
2
Connect the identified root meanings with the provided definitions
Combat matches belligerent, speech matches loquacious, holding fast matches tenacious, and eating/devouring matches voracious.
Aligning root definitions eliminates misinterpretations and confirms exact synonyms.

Key Concept

Root Word Analysis
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Root Word Analysis

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