Vocabulary from Classical Roots — Lesson 3
50 Multiple-Choice Practice Questions
Personal Relationships
MATER/MATRIS • PATER/PATRIS • FRATER/FRATRIS • AVUNCULUS • FAMILIA • UXOR • GAMOS
Questions first • Answer Key second • English explanations last
Lesson 3 Key Words
matrix
matriarchy
matriculate
patriarch
patrimony
patronage
patronize
patronymic
fraternal
fraternize
avuncular
familial
uxorious
bigamy
monogamy
Questions 1–2
Choose the best answer. Answers are not shown in this section.
1. Which word means the surroundings within which something begins or develops?
A. matrix
B. patrimony
C. patronage
D. monogamy
2. Which word means a society ruled or controlled by women?
A. patriarchy
B. matriarchy
C. monogamy
D. bigamy
Questions 3–4
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3. To matriculate at a university means to ____.
A. inherit property
B. register as a student
C. support a patron
D. marry one person
4. A male head of a family or tribe can be called a ____.
A. patriarch
B. patronymic
C. progenitor
D. matriarch
Questions 5–6
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5. Which word means a family inheritance?
A. patronage
B. patrimony
C. matrix
D. patronymic
6. Financial support or encouragement given to an artist is called ____.
A. patronage
B. patrimony
C. fraternization
D. matriculation
Questions 7–8
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7. To patronize a local store can mean to ____.
A. treat it as inferior
B. shop there regularly
C. inherit it
D. register there
8. If a speaker patronizes someone, the speaker ____.
A. treats the person as an inferior
B. acts like an uncle
C. becomes friendly
D. offers an inheritance
Questions 9–10
Choose the best answer. Answers are not shown in this section.
9. A name derived from a paternal ancestor is a ____.
A. patrimony
B. patronymic
C. patronage
D. patriarchy
10. Which adjective means pertaining to brothers or brotherly?
A. familial
B. fraternal
C. avuncular
D. uxorious
Questions 11–12
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11. To fraternize means to ____.
A. be friendly or socialize with
B. inherit from a father
C. rule a family
D. marry twice
12. Which adjective means “like an uncle”?
A. fraternal
B. familial
C. avuncular
D. patronizing
Questions 13–14
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13. Which adjective means having to do with the family?
A. familial
B. fraternal
C. patronymic
D. matriarchal
14. Which word means marriage to two mates?
A. monogamy
B. bigamy
C. patronage
D. matrimony
Questions 15–16
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15. Which word means marriage to a single mate?
A. monogamy
B. bigamy
C. patriarchy
D. fraternity
16. Which adjective means dominated by one's wife?
A. avuncular
B. uxorious
C. fraternal
D. familial
Questions 17–18
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17. The Latin roots MATER, MATRIS mean ____.
A. father
B. mother
C. brother
D. wife
18. The Latin roots PATER, PATRIS mean ____.
A. father
B. family
C. brother
D. marriage
Questions 19–20
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19. The Latin roots FRATER, FRATRIS mean ____.
A. uncle
B. brother
C. wife
D. mother
20. The Latin roots AVUNCULUS, AVUNCULI mean ____.
A. father
B. uncle
C. family
D. wife
Questions 21–22
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21. The Latin root FAMILIA means ____.
A. family
B. brother
C. marriage
D. rule
22. The Latin roots UXOR, UXORIS mean ____.
A. mother
B. wife
C. father
D. brother
Questions 23–24
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23. The Greek root GAMOS means ____.
A. family
B. marriage
C. rule
D. name
24. Which is the best synonym for patronage in “the patronage of wealthy citizens”?
A. support
B. inheritance
C. marriage
D. ancestry
Questions 25–26
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25. Which is the best synonym for patrimony?
A. family inheritance
B. friendship
C. customer base
D. college registration
26. Which is the best synonym for familial?
A. family-related
B. brotherly
C. condescending
D. single
Questions 27–28
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27. Which is the best synonym for fraternal?
A. motherly
B. brotherly
C. fatherly
D. wifely
28. Which is the best synonym for avuncular?
A. uncle-like
B. father-dominated
C. family-owned
D. married
Questions 29–30
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29. Which phrase is closest in meaning to matriculate?
A. enroll in college
B. receive an inheritance
C. marry one mate
D. become a customer
30. Which phrase is closest in meaning to patronymic?
A. a father's-derived name
B. a family inheritance
C. a mother's rule
D. a brotherly bond
Questions 31–32
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31. The research team grew bacteria in a nutrient ____.
A. matrix
B. patrimony
C. patronymic
D. monogamy
32. The ancient community appears to have been a ____ in which women held the chief political authority.
A. patriarchy
B. matriarchy
C. fraternity
D. monogamy
Questions 33–34
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33. After receiving her acceptance letter, Maya went online to ____ at the university.
A. patronize
B. matriculate
C. fraternize
D. engender
34. The respected grandfather was regarded as the ____ of the entire clan.
A. patriarch
B. patronymic
C. patron
D. matrix
Questions 35–36
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35. The estate had been part of the family's ____ for generations.
A. patrimony
B. patronage
C. matriculation
D. fraternization
36. The orchestra survived because of the generous ____ of local donors.
A. patronage
B. patrimony
C. monogamy
D. matrix
Questions 37–38
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37. We ____ the neighborhood bakery because we like its bread and service.
A. patronize
B. matriculate
C. fraternize
D. matriarch
38. “I already understand the instructions, so please don't ____ me,” she said.
A. fraternize with
B. patronize
C. matriculate
D. patronymic
Questions 39–40
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39. The surname meaning “son of Peter” is an example of a ____.
A. patronymic
B. patrimony
C. patronage
D. patriarch
40. The twins maintained a strong ____ bond even after moving to different cities.
A. fraternal
B. uxorious
C. avuncular
D. matriarchal
Questions 41–42
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41. The soldiers were ordered not to ____ with enemy troops.
A. matriculate
B. fraternize
C. patronize
D. monogamize
42. Her warm advice and playful teasing had an ____ quality.
A. avuncular
B. patronymic
C. uxorious
D. matricular
Questions 43–44
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43. The study compared ____ relationships across several cultures.
A. familial
B. fraternal only
C. patronizing
D. uxorious
44. A person who is legally married to one spouse while secretly marrying another commits ____.
A. monogamy
B. bigamy
C. patrimony
D. patronage
Questions 45–46
Choose the best answer. Answers are not shown in this section.
45. A society in which marriage is legally restricted to one mate practices ____.
A. bigamy
B. monogamy
C. matriarchy
D. patronage
46. Which sentence uses patronize in its condescending sense?
A. We patronize that café every Saturday.
B. The manager patronized the intern by speaking to her as if she were a child.
C. The donor patronized the museum with a large gift.
D. The student patronized at the university.
Questions 47–48
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47. Which sentence uses matrix correctly?
A. The family received a matrix from its grandfather.
B. The culture provided a matrix in which the new philosophy developed.
C. He became a matrix after registering at college.
D. The brothers shared a matrix bond.
48. Which sentence uses avuncular correctly?
A. His avuncular kindness made younger relatives feel comfortable.
B. The avuncular government was ruled by fathers.
C. She inherited an avuncular from her parents.
D. The avuncular name came from his father.
Questions 49–50
Choose the best answer. Answers are not shown in this section.
49. Which sentence uses uxorious correctly?
A. The uxorious husband allowed his wife to make every decision for him.
B. The uxorious brothers remained loyal to one another.
C. The uxorious student enrolled in college.
D. The uxorious name came from a paternal ancestor.
50. Which contrast is correct?
A. bigamy = one mate; monogamy = two mates
B. matriarchy = rule by women; patriarchy = rule by men
C. patrimony = customers; patronage = inheritance
D. fraternal = uncle-like; avuncular = brotherly
Answer Key
Questions 1–50
1. A
2. B
3. B
4. A
5. B
6. A
7. B
8. A
9. B
10. B
11. A
12. C
13. A
14. B
15. A
16. B
17. B
18. A
19. B
20. B
21. A
22. B
23. B
24. A
25. A
26. A
27. B
28. A
29. A
30. A
31. A
32. B
33. B
34. A
35. A
36. A
37. A
38. B
39. A
40. A
41. B
42. A
43. A
44. B
45. B
46. B
47. B
48. A
49. A
50. B
Answers & English Explanations 1–2
1. Answer: A. matrix
A matrix is the environment or surrounding structure in which something begins or develops.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
2. Answer: B. matriarchy
A matriarchy is a society in which women hold the primary ruling or controlling roles.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 3–4
3. Answer: B. register as a student
Matriculate means to register or enroll as a student at a college or university.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
4. Answer: A. patriarch
A patriarch is the male head of a family or tribe; it can also mean a founding father or respected elder.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 5–6
5. Answer: B. patrimony
Patrimony means property or inheritance handed down through a family.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
6. Answer: A. patronage
Patronage can mean support or encouragement, especially from a patron.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 7–8
7. Answer: B. shop there regularly
One meaning of patronize is to go to or do business with a place regularly.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
8. Answer: A. treats the person as an inferior
Patronize can also mean to treat someone condescendingly, as though that person were inferior.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 9–10
9. Answer: B. patronymic
A patronymic is a name derived from a father or paternal ancestor.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
10. Answer: B. fraternal
Fraternal means brotherly or relating to brothers.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 11–12
11. Answer: A. be friendly or socialize with
Fraternize means to associate or socialize in a friendly way; in wartime it can refer to socializing with an enemy population.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
12. Answer: C. avuncular
Avuncular means like an uncle, especially in a kindly or friendly manner.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 13–14
13. Answer: A. familial
Familial means relating to or characteristic of a family.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
14. Answer: B. bigamy
Bigamy is marriage to two mates, especially when a person enters another marriage while a spouse is still living.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 15–16
15. Answer: A. monogamy
Monogamy is marriage to one mate.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
16. Answer: B. uxorious
Uxorious means excessively submissive or devoted to one's wife; the lesson defines it as dominated by one's wife.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 17–18
17. Answer: B. mother
Mater and matris are Latin roots meaning “mother.”
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
18. Answer: A. father
Pater and patris are Latin roots meaning “father.”
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 19–20
19. Answer: B. brother
Frater and fratris are Latin roots meaning “brother.”
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
20. Answer: B. uncle
Avunculus and avunculi are Latin roots meaning “uncle.”
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 21–22
21. Answer: A. family
Familia is the Latin root meaning “family.”
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
22. Answer: B. wife
Uxor and uxoris are Latin roots meaning “wife.”
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 23–24
23. Answer: B. marriage
Gamos is a Greek root meaning “marriage.”
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
24. Answer: A. support
In this context, patronage means support, encouragement, or sponsorship.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 25–26
25. Answer: A. family inheritance
Patrimony is an inheritance or property passed down through a family.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
26. Answer: A. family-related
Familial means related to the family.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 27–28
27. Answer: B. brotherly
Fraternal means brotherly or relating to brothers.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
28. Answer: A. uncle-like
Avuncular describes qualities or behavior like that of an uncle.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 29–30
29. Answer: A. enroll in college
To matriculate is to enroll or register as a student at a college or university.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
30. Answer: A. a father's-derived name
A patronymic is a name formed from the name of a father or paternal ancestor.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 31–32
31. Answer: A. matrix
Matrix can refer to a surrounding medium in which something develops or grows.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
32. Answer: B. matriarchy
A society ruled or controlled by women is a matriarchy.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 33–34
33. Answer: B. matriculate
Matriculate means to register or enroll as a university student.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
34. Answer: A. patriarch
Patriarch can mean the male head or respected elder of a family or clan.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 35–36
35. Answer: A. patrimony
Patrimony is family property or inheritance passed from one generation to another.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
36. Answer: A. patronage
Patronage means financial or other support provided by patrons.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 37–38
37. Answer: A. patronize
To patronize a business can mean to visit it regularly as a customer.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
38. Answer: B. patronize
Here patronize means to speak or behave toward someone in a condescending way.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 39–40
39. Answer: A. patronymic
A name indicating descent from a father or paternal ancestor is patronymic.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
40. Answer: A. fraternal
Fraternal describes a brotherly relationship.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 41–42
41. Answer: B. fraternize
Fraternize can mean to socialize or become friendly with an enemy population.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
42. Answer: A. avuncular
Avuncular means uncle-like, often suggesting friendly, kindly behavior.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 43–44
43. Answer: A. familial
Familial means relating to family, so it fits relationships within families.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
44. Answer: B. bigamy
Bigamy is the act or condition of being married to two mates at the same time.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 45–46
45. Answer: B. monogamy
Monogamy is marriage to one mate.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
46. Answer: B. The manager patronized the intern by speaking to her as if she were a child.
In sentence B, patronized means treated someone as inferior or less capable.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 47–48
47. Answer: B. The culture provided a matrix in which the new philosophy developed.
Matrix can mean the surrounding environment or framework in which something develops.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
48. Answer: A. His avuncular kindness made younger relatives feel comfortable.
Avuncular describes uncle-like friendliness or behavior.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
Answers & English Explanations 49–50
49. Answer: A. The uxorious husband allowed his wife to make every decision for him.
Uxorious refers to a husband excessively devoted or submissive to his wife.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.
50. Answer: B. matriarchy = rule by women; patriarchy = rule by men
Matriarchy refers to female rule or control, while patriarchy refers to male rule or control.
Study tip: Use the classical root and the sentence context together; watch especially for words with two meanings, such as patronize.