FIRST GENERAL EXERCISE FOR THE CHAPTER

Each of the key-syllables given below is followed by (1) a list of fairly familiar words that embody it, (2) a list of less familiar words that embody it, (3) several sentences containing blank spaces, into each of which you are ultimately to fit the appropriate word from the first list.  (The existence of the two lists will show you that learned words may have commonplace kinfolks.)

First, however, you are to study each word in both lists for (1) its exact meaning, (2) the influence of the key-syllable upon that meaning, (3) any variation of the key-syllable from its ordinary form. (A few words have been introduced to show how varied the forms may be and yet remain recognizable.)

Also, as an aid to your memory, you are to copy each list, underscoring the key-syllable each time you encounter it.

(The lists are practical, not meticulously academic.  In many instances they contain words derived, not from a single original, but from cognates.  No list is exhaustive.)

Ag, act, ig (carry on, do, drive):  (1) agent, agitate, agile, act, actor, actuate, exact, enact, reaction, counteract, transact, mitigate, navigate, prodigal, assay, essay; (2) agenda, pedagogue, synagogue, actuary, redact, castigate, litigation, exigency, ambiguous, variegated, cogent, cogitate.

Sentences (inflect forms if necessary; for example, use the past tense, participle, or infinitive of a verb instead of its present tense):  It was ____ into law.  The legislators had been ____ by honest motives, but the popular ____ was immediate.  The ____ of the mining company refused to let us proceed with the ____.  Nothing could ____ the offense.  The father was ____, the son ____.  The student handed in his ____ at the ____ time designated.  Though ____ enough on land, he could not ____ a ship.  The ____ by missing his cue so ____ the manager that his good work thereafter could not ____ the ill impression.

Burn, brun, brand (burn):  (1 and 2 combined) burn, burnish, brunette, brunt, bruin, brand, brandish, brandy, brown.

Sentences:  He plucked a ____ from the ____.  The ____ hair of
the ____ was so glossy it seemed ____.  He ____ his sword and bore
the ____ of the conflict.  After drinking so much ____ he saw snakes in his
imagination, he staggered off into the woods and met Old ____ in reality.

Cad, cas, cid (fall):  (1) cadence, decadent, case, casual, casualty, occasion, accident, incident, mischance, cheat; (2) casuistry, coincide, occidental, deciduous.

Sentences:  The period was a ____ one.  He, gave but ____ attention
to the ____ of the music.  On this ____ an ____ befell him.  To the general
it was a mere ____ that his ____ were heavy.  As a result of this ____ he
was accused of trying to ____ them.

Cede, ceed, cess (go):  (1) cede, recede, secede, concede, intercede, procedure, precedent, succeed, exceed, success, recess, concession, procession, intercession, abscess, ancestor, cease, decease; (2) antecedent, precedence, cessation, accessory, predecessor.