Lesson 18: CERN / CRET
The Root
CERN / CRET comes from Latin and means "to separate," "to judge," or "to distinguish."
When you see this root, think about deciding, separating things out, or making sure.
Word List
| Word | Parts | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| concern | CON- (together) + CERN (sift/mix) | to relate to; to be of interest or importance to; anxiety or worry (literally "to sift together") |
| discern | DIS- (apart) + CERN (separate) | to perceive or recognize (something); to distinguish (literally "to separate apart") |
| secret | SE- (apart) + CRET (separate) | not known or seen or not meant to be known or seen by others (literally "separated apart") |
| secretary | SE- (apart) + CRET (separate) | a person employed by an individual or in an office to assist with correspondence and keep records (originally "one entrusted with secrets") |
| discrete | DIS- (apart) + CRET (separate) | individually separate and distinct |
| discretion | DIS- (apart) + CRET (separate) | the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information; the freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation |
| concrete | CON- (together) + CRET (grown/hardened) | existing in a material or physical form; not abstract; specific and definite (literally "grown together/hardened") |
| certain | CERT (sure/settled) — related root. | known for sure; established beyond doubt |
| certify | CERT (sure/settled) — related root. | to attest or confirm in a formal statement |
| certificate | CERT (sure/settled) — related root. | an official document attesting a certain fact |
| decree | DE- (from/down) + CREE (decide/judge) | an official order issued by a legal authority |
| discriminating | DIS- (apart) + CERN (separate) | having or showing refined taste or good judgment |
Practice 1: Multiple Choice
Choose the word that best completes each sentence.
- The heavy box was made of solid __________.
a) secret
b) concrete
c) concern
d) discretion
- I cannot __________ the difference between the two identical twins.
a) certify
b) discern
c) decree
d) concern
- Please keep this information __________; do not tell anyone.
a) certain
b) concrete
c) secret
d) discrete
- The king issued a __________ that everyone must pay the tax.
a) decree
b) concern
c) secretary
d) certificate
- She showed great __________ by not gossiping about her friend's problem.
a) concrete
b) discernment
c) discretion
d) secretion
- The data was broken down into __________ categories.
a) concrete
b) concerned
c) secret
d) discrete
- He received a __________ for completing the first aid course.
a) decree
b) secret
c) concern
d) certificate
- Talk to the ________ to schedule an appointment with the boss.
a) certifier
b) decree
c) secret
d) secretary
- I am __________ that I locked the door before we left.
a) discrete
b) certain
c) secret
d) concerned
- The judge has the __________ to lower the fine if she chooses.
a) discretion
b) concrete
c) secrecy
d) decree
- She has __________ taste in art, only buying the very best pieces.
a) concerned
b) secret
c) concrete
d) discriminating
- The environmental issues __________ all of us.
a) certify
b) concern
c) discern
d) decree
Practice 2: Fill in the Blank
Use each word from the word bank exactly once.
Word Bank: concern, discern, secret, secretary, discrete, discretion, concrete, certain, certify, certificate, decree, discriminating
The fog was so thick it was hard to __________ the road ahead.
A notary public can __________ that a signature is real.
We need __________ proof, not just theories, to solve the case.
The ___________ filed the papers in the cabinet.
It is a secret, so please use ___________ and don't spread it.
The emperor signed a ___________ banning the festival.
The problem happened in three ___________ steps, not all at once.
I have a ___________ about the safety of this old ladder.
Are you absolutely ___________ that this is the right way?
He won a gift ___________ to his favorite restaurant.
She whispered a ___________ in my ear so no one else would hear.
A ___________ shopper checks the quality of the fruit before buying it.
Practice 3: Reading Passage
The Office
Mr. Black's secretary, Ms. Lane, was a woman of great discretion. She knew every secret of the company, but she never told a soul. One day, a man came in demanding to see concrete proof of the company's profits.
Ms. Lane could discern that he was trouble. She politely told him, "I cannot certify those numbers without Mr. Black's permission. It is a matter of concern that you are asking for private data."
Reading PassageQuestions
- Ms. Lane had "discretion," meaning:
a) She was loud
b) She was careful and kept secrets private
c) She was mean
d) She was discrete (separate)
- The man wanted "concrete" proof. This means:
a) Proof made of cement
b) Solid, factual proof
c) Secret proof
d) Abstract proof
- Ms. Lane could "discern" that he was trouble. This means:
a) She could see/recognize it
b) She could hide it
c) She could ignore it
d) She could decree it
- To "certify" the numbers means:
a) To throw them away
b) To confirm they are true officially
c) To hide them
d) To discern them
- It was a matter of "concern," meaning:
a) A matter of joy
b) A matter of worry or importance
c) A matter of concrete
d) A matter of secrecy
Answer Key
Practice 1: Multiple Choice
- b
- b
- c
- a
- c
- d
- d
- d
- b
- a
- d
- b
Practice 2: Fill in the Blank
- discern
- certify
- concrete
- secretary
- discretion
- decree
- discrete
- concern
- certain
- certificate
- secret
- discriminating
Reading Passage Questions
- b
- b
- a
- b
- b