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浏览Title: A Comprehensive Classification of English Words for GRE Preparation
Introduction:
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a crucial step for many students seeking to advance their academic and professional careers. One of the key components of the GRE is the Verbal Reasoning section, which tests candidates' ability to understand and manipulate words. To excel in this section, it is essential to have a robust vocabulary. This article provides a comprehensive classification of English words that are commonly encountered in the GRE, categorized by their functions, origins, and usage.
1. Prefixes and Suffixes
Prefixes and suffixes are essential in understanding the roots of words and their meanings. Here's a brief classification of these word parts:
a. Prefixes: Prefixes are added to the beginning of a word to alter its meaning. Some common prefixes include:
- Un- (opposite of a word, e.g., happy - unhappy)
- Dis- (opposite of a word, e.g., agree - disagree)
- Pre- (before, e.g., prepare - preparation)
- Over- (above, beyond, e.g., overestimate - overestimation)
b. Suffixes: Suffixes are added to the end of a word to change its tense, form, or category. Common suffixes include:
- -ment (noun, e.g., manage - management)
- -ion (noun, e.g., create - creation)
- -ly (adverb, e.g., quick - quickly)
- -ed (past tense or past participle, e.g., walk - walked)
2. Prefix-Infix-Suffix (PIS) Combinations
Some words combine a prefix, infix, and suffix to create a new meaning. Examples include:
- Misunderestimate (prefix: mis, infix: under, suffix: -imate)
- Unquestionably (prefix: un, infix: question, suffix: -ably)
3. Roots and Word Families
Roots are the core elements of a word that convey the fundamental meaning. Word families are groups of words that share a common root. Here's a classification of some common roots and their word families:
a. Greek Roots:
- Geo- (earth, land, e.g., geology, geography)
- Bio- (life, living organisms, e.g., biology, biodegradable)
- Psycho- (mind, mental processes, e.g., psychology, psychopath)
b. Latin Roots:
- Logy (study of, science, e.g., logic, chronology)
- Graphy (writing, drawing, e.g., geography, autography)
- Mania (madness, frenzy, e.g., mania, manic)
4. Greek and Latin Derivatives
Greek and Latin derivatives are words formed by combining Greek or Latin roots with prefixes, suffixes, or other derivatives. Some examples include:
- Heterogeneous (Greek: hetero- meaning different, Greek: -genous meaning producing)
- Antidisestablishmentarianism (Latin: anti- meaning against, Latin: disestablishment meaning to disestablish, -arianism meaningism)
5. Collocations and Phrasal Verbs
Collocations are words that frequently appear together in a specific order. Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb with a preposition or adverb that change the meaning of the verb. Examples include:
- Break down (collocation)
- Look up (phrasal verb)
6. Idioms and Proverbs
Idioms are expressions whose meanings are not predictable from the meanings of the individual words. Proverbs are short sayings that convey a general truth or advice. Examples include:
- Break the ice (idiom)
- Time and tide wait for no man (proverb)
Conclusion:
Understanding the classification of English words for the GRE can greatly enhance your vocabulary and improve your performance in the Verbal Reasoning section. By familiarizing yourself with prefixes, suffixes, roots, word families, derivatives, collocations, phrasal verbs, idioms, and proverbs, you'll be well-prepared to tackle the diverse word challenges presented in the GRE. Invest time in building your vocabulary, and you'll be on your way to achieving a high score in the GRE.