Strategy 1_5: "Dissect" words?!
On SAT/GRE exams, there are always a couple of complex words that are even rarely used in a professional article. By throwing those words in multiple-choice questions, the test makers wanted to test your ability to “interpret” a vocabulary. What many of students do not realize is that words can be not only remembered but also “dissected.” What?! It may sound odd as if we were in a biology class, but that’s true! Let’s look at the following word:
Hmm… few people may have heard of this word, but it is certainly not a common word we use in our daily lives Whenever you are faced with such long, complex words on the exams, some just cross them out simply because they think there’s no way of figuring out the exact definitions. However, that’s not true; the test makers are testing your “interpretation” skill. The word, though you have never heard of, contains largely two familiar parts: the prefix, circum-, and the suffix, ambulate.
The former, “circum-“, means “about or around,” and it can be found in the common words such as “circumference.” The latter, “ambulate”, comes from Latin “ambulat-,” which means “walk.” Therefore, when you combine those two meanings, you get “walking about or around.” Hmm…? Does “circumambulate” means “to walk around”? Bingo! You got it! Let’s hear what Oxford Dictionary says: “(Circumambulate) v. walk all the way round: they used to circumambulate the perimeter wall.” Haha, easy? Let’s try another one.
The word above can also be divided into two parts, which are “magn-“ and “animous.” The prefix “magn-“ comes from Latin “magnus” meaning “great,” and the suffix “animous” from Latin “animus” meaning “soul.”
When you combine those two, you get “great mind or soul.” That’s right! It is used to describe a person who has a “generous mind or soul.” However, this word is not as rarely used as “circumambulate” is, but I used it to give you some confidence. Okay, let’s try a harder one.
Hmm… Again, it is definitely not a common word we use in our daily lives. But, don’t be scared! When you look at the word carefully, it likewise contains two parts: the prefix “pusil-” and the suffix “animous.”
You may not be familiar with the former but you surely know what the latter, “animous,” means. Does it have to do something with “mind”? Yes! The problem now is that you do not know what "pusil-" means. In Latin, it means "small." Therefore, when you combine those two meanings, you get "small mind or soul." Hmm... doesn't it sound rather negative than positive? Bingo! Okay, that is enough to make a smart guessing. What?! You went furthur and thought "Does it have to do with less courageous? or "timid"? Wow! You should be amazed at yourself! The dictionary says, "(Pusillanimous) adj. showing a lack of courage or determination; timid!" Way to go!
From now on, do not run away or be scared by long complex words. Try to dissect and simplify the complex word as much as possible, then you will soon find out how easy they are!
Does this information help you? Please leave comments and tell me what you think!
