Lesson 4: GNOS / GNIT
The Root
GNOS / GNIT comes from Greek and Latin and means "to know."
When you see these roots, think about knowing, learning, or identifying something.
Word List
| Word | Parts | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| recognize | RE- (again) + COGNI (know) | to identify someone or something you have seen before |
| incognito | IN- (not) + COGNIT (know) | having one's true identity concealed; in disguise |
| diagnosis | DIA- (through/apart) vs. PRO- (before) + GNOSIS (knowledge) | the identification of a disease or problem after examination |
| prognosis | DIA- (through/apart) vs. PRO- (before) + GNOSIS (knowledge) | a prediction of the likely course of a disease or situation |
| agnostic | A- (not) + GNOS (know) + -TIC (relating to) | a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known about God |
| cognition | COGNIT (know) + -ION (process) / -IVE (related to) | the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding |
| cognitive | COGNIT (know) + -ION (process) / -IVE (related to) | relating to the process of thinking and reasoning |
| ignore | IN- (not) + GNOR (know) -> (The 'g' stays, but sound changes) | to refuse to take notice of or acknowledge |
| ignorant | IN- (not) + GNOR (know) -> (The 'g' stays, but sound changes) | lacking knowledge or awareness in general; uneducated |
| ignorance | — | lack of knowledge or information |
| recognize | RE- (again) + COGNI (know) | to identify someone or something known before |
| recognizance | — | a bond or obligation entered into before a court |
| prognosticate | PRO- (before) + GNOS (know) + -ATE (to do) | to foretell or prophesy an event in the future |
| connoisseur | (French spelling of Latin root *cognoscere*) | an expert judge in matters of taste (from "to know") |
| reconnaissance | RE- (again) + COGN (know) + -AISSANCE (process) | military observation of a region to locate an enemy or ascertain strategic features |
Practice 1: Multiple Choice
Choose the word that best completes each sentence.
- The celebrity wore a wig and big sunglasses to travel __________.
a) agnostic
b) cognitive
c) ignorant
d) incognito
- After examining the patient, the doctor gave a __________ of the flu.
a) prognosis
b) recognizance
c) diagnosis
d) cognition
- He considers himself an __________ because he isn't sure if God exists.
a) agnostic
b) incognito
c) ignore
d) ignorant
- She is a __________ of fine art and can spot a fake painting instantly.
a) diagnosis
b) connoisseur
c) prognosis
d) cognition
- Please don't __________ me when I am talking to you!
a) diagnosis
b) prognosticate
c) ignore
d) recognize
- The soldier was sent on a __________ mission to spy on the enemy camp.
a) cognitive
b) reconnaissance
c) prognosis
d) diagnosis
- Puzzles and riddles help improve your __________ skills.
a) ignorant
b) incognito
c) cognitive
d) agnostic
- It is rude to call someone __________ just because they haven't learned about a topic yet.
a) ignorant
b) cognitive
c) incognito
d) reconnaissance
- Do you __________ this song? It sounds so familiar.
a) prognosticate
b) recognize
c) diagnosis
d) ignore
- The economic __________ is good; experts think businesses will grow next year.
a) diagnosis
b) cognition
c) ignorance
d) prognosis
- Some people try to __________ the future using crystal balls, but it rarely works.
a) ignore
b) recognize
c) prognosticate
d) diagnosis
- Studying helps improve your __________, or how you process information.
a) connoisseur
b) cognition
c) prognosis
d) ignorance
Practice 2: Fill in the Blank
Use each word from the word bank exactly once.
Word Bank: recognize, incognito, diagnosis, prognosis, agnostic, cognition, cognitive, ignore, ignorant, prognosticate, connoisseur, reconnaissance
The doctor's __________ was that the patient would make a full recovery.
I didn't __________ you with your new haircut!
He tried to go __________ at the mall, but fans still spotted him.
Reading books is a great way to improve your __________ development.
A true __________ of coffee can tell where the beans were grown just by tasting it.
Don't be __________ of the laws; you need to know the rules before you drive.
The mechanic's __________ was that the car needed a new engine.
The army sent a drone for __________ to see where the tanks were hiding.
She decided to __________ the mean comments and focus on the positive ones.
He claims to be __________, saying he doesn't have enough proof to believe in a religion.
Weather reporters try to __________ the storm's path, but nature is unpredictable.
Scientists study human __________ to understand how we learn and remember things.
Practice 3: Reading Passage
The Expert
Julian was a true connoisseur of antique clocks. He could recognize the maker of a timepiece just by looking at the gears. One day, a woman brought in a rusty old watch. Julian's diagnosis was grim: the mainspring was broken. However, his prognosis was hopeful—he believed he could fix it.
While he worked, he spoke to the woman. She admitted she was ignorant about clocks; she had found this one in an attic. Julian explained the history. He loved the cognitive challenge of fixing complex machines. It required focus and logic.
Reading PassageQuestions
- A "connoisseur" is someone who:
a) Is ignorant about a topic
b) Is an expert judge of quality
c) Travels in disguise
d) Fixes cars
- What was Julian's "diagnosis" of the watch?
a) It was fake
b) The mainspring was broken
c) It was worth a million dollars
d) It could be fixed
- What was his "prognosis"?
a) That he could fix it
b) That it was garbage
c) That he didn't know the answer
d) That the woman was ignorant
- The woman said she was "ignorant" about clocks. This means:
a) She was rude
b) She lacked knowledge about them
c) She was an expert
d) She was agnostic
- Why did Julian enjoy the work?
a) It was a "cognitive" challenge for his brain
b) He could go incognito
c) He could ignore the woman
d) He could prognosticate the weather
Answer Key
Practice 1: Multiple Choice
- d
- c
- a
- b
- c
- b
- c
- a
- b
- d
- c
- b
Practice 2: Fill in the Blank
- prognosis
- recognize
- incognito
- cognitive
- connoisseur
- ignorant
- diagnosis
- reconnaissance
- ignore
- agnostic
- prognosticate
- cognition
Reading Passage Questions
- b
- b
- a
- b
- a