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Question

Difficulty: MediumRoot Word Analysis

Root word analysis allows readers to determine the precise meaning of complex vocabulary terms. How should the following root-derived words be matched with their correct defining synonyms?

  • OmniscientPossessing infinite or complete knowledge
  • VoraciousHaving an insatiable appetite or consuming eagerly
  • TenaciousHolding firmly to a purpose and refusing to yield
  • PhilanthropicDevoted to promoting human welfare through generosity

Answer

Omniscient pairs with 'Possessing infinite or complete knowledge', Voracious pairs with 'Having an insatiable appetite or consuming eagerly', Tenacious pairs with 'Holding firmly to a purpose and refusing to yield', and Philanthropic pairs with 'Devoted to promoting human welfare through generosity'.
Each word directly derives its meaning from its classical roots: 'Omniscient' combines 'omni-' (all) and 'sci-' (know); 'Voracious' comes from 'vor-' (devour); 'Tenacious' comes from 'ten-' (hold); and 'Philanthropic' combines 'phil-' (love) and 'anthrop-' (human).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Isolate the classical Latin and Greek roots in each left-hand vocabulary term.
Identified 'omni-' (all) + 'sci-' (to know) in Omniscient; 'vor-' (to devour) in Voracious; 'ten-' (to hold) in Tenacious; 'phil-' (love) + 'anthrop-' (human) in Philanthropic.
Deconstructing words into identifiable morphemes clarifies their foundational meanings.
2
Translate each root combination into its primary semantic definition.
'All-knowing', 'devouring/eating greedily', 'holding firmly', and 'loving humanity'.
Root definitions directly correlate with the standard synonyms of academic words.
3
Match each translated definition to the corresponding right-hand option.
Omniscient matches infinite knowledge, Voracious matches insatiable appetite, Tenacious matches holding firmly, and Philanthropic matches promoting human welfare.
Ensures an exact one-to-one correspondence based on etymological analysis.

Key Concept

Root Word Analysis
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Root Word Analysis

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