Examkin

Question

Difficulty: Very hardWord Formation: Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence below based on the precise morphological rules of root derivation and affixation:

'The lead investigator revealed that the prosecution's central argument was fundamentally ________, as it relied on a flawed premise that distorted the chronology of events.'

  1. fallaciousAnswer
  2. B
    fallible
  3. C
    unfallacious
  4. D
    infallacious

Answer

The word 'fallacious' is the correct answer.
The word 'fallacious' is formed from the Latin root 'fall-' (to deceive or mistake) and the derivational suffix '-acious' (expressing quality or tendency). In formal academic register, it specifically characterizes arguments, statements, or premises that embody logical fallacies.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the syntactic and semantic role required in the sentence.
The blank requires an adjective to modify the noun 'argument' in the context of unsound reasoning.
The sentence explains that the argument relied on a flawed premise.
2
Analyze the root and suffix of the target word.
The root 'fall-' (Latin fallere, meaning to deceive or mistake) combines with the adjective suffix '-acious' (meaning characterized by or inclined to) to yield 'fallacious'.
'Fallacious' specifically describes logic, arguments, or statements containing a fallacy.
3
Evaluate paronyms and morphological variants for correctness.
'Fallible' (root 'fall-' + suffix '-ible') means capable of erring and applies to persons/entities, while 'unfallacious' and 'infallacious' are ill-formed words with illegal prefix combinations.
Only 'fallacious' correctly matches both the etymological root meaning and the grammatical requirements of the context.

Key Concept

Word Formation: Root Derivation and Paronym Affixation
Rate this question

Topics

Word Formation: Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots

More questions from this topic