Use word parts (prefixes/roots/suffixes) to infer meaning when the context supports it.
Core Idea
When you hit an unfamiliar word in the answer choices, break it into prefix + root + suffix — then check whether that breakdown matches the context clues in the passage.
Understanding
Word-part analysis is a backup tool, not a primary strategy. Use it when the answer choices include a word you've never seen before and you can't eliminate it on context alone. Common prefixes (un-, mis-, re-, pre-, anti-) and roots (bene- = good, mal- = bad, cred- = believe, dict- = say) can get you to a reasonable guess.
The key step most students skip: confirm with context. Breaking a word into parts gives you a hypothesis about what it might mean. The passage gives you evidence for what it should mean. If the two match, you're on solid ground. If they don't, your breakdown may be wrong — some word parts are misleading ("inflammable" doesn't mean "not flammable").
Worked Example
The committee's report called for the __________ of several outdated regulations, recommending that lawmakers formally withdraw these rules from the legal code to reduce bureaucratic confusion.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Select an answer to see the explanation