Word Roots
Summary
The exploration of word roots in GRE preparation reveals that while roots can be helpful in understanding some vocabulary, they are not a universally reliable method for learning new words or their meanings.
- Word roots can be misleading in the context of the GRE, as many words appear with roots that are either unique or don't follow expected patterns.
- Examples like 'maladroit,' 'magnanimous,' and 'erudite' show how roots can sometimes aid in understanding, but words like 'histrionic' and 'desultory' demonstrate the limitations of this approach.
- Suffixes, unlike roots, are more consistent in changing only the part of speech of a word without altering its core meaning, making them a more reliable aspect of word formation to study.
- The GRE often includes words that look similar but have different meanings, highlighting the importance of not relying solely on apparent roots or prefixes to deduce meanings.
- Creating flashcards for confusing word pairs and focusing on suffixes can be more effective strategies for expanding vocabulary and understanding word meanings for the GRE.
Chapters
00:04
The Misleading Nature of Word Roots
01:50
Examples Where Roots Fail
06:08
The Consistency and Utility of Suffixes
09:51
Strategies for Handling Confusing Words
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