Question

Difficulty: MediumRoot Word Analysis

Complete the statement to identify the exact synonym for the bolded word. What word best fills the blank?

Answer:The supervisor wanted every specialist to be cognizant of the potential system failures, ensuring that all technicians were fully 【aware】 of the operating risks.

Answer

aware (or conscious / mindful / informed)
The word 'cognizant' stems from the Latin root 'cogn-', meaning 'to know'. In the given context, ensuring specialists are cognizant of system failures means ensuring they are knowledgeable and conscious of them, making 'aware' the precise synonym.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the base root and morphological origin of the target word 'cognizant'.
The word 'cognizant' is derived from the Latin root 'cogn-' (from 'cognoscere'), which means 'to know' or 'to learn'.
Recognizing the root 'cogn-' allows the reader to deduce that the word relates directly to knowledge, perception, or understanding.
2
Determine the contextual synonym that accurately completes the sentence.
In the context of understanding hazards, being cognizant of risks means having conscious awareness of them, making 'aware' the direct synonym.
The sentence requires an adjective synonym that grammatically pairs with the prepositional phrase 'fully [blank] of'.

Key Concept

Root Word Analysis: The Latin root 'cogn-' signifies 'to know' or 'to perceive', forming vocabulary centered on awareness and knowledge (e.g., cognizant, recognize, cognition).
Estimated Time:45s
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