Lesson 40: JECT
The Root
JECT comes from Latin jacere, meaning "to throw."
When you see this root in a word, think about throwing—throwing something out, throwing something in, or throwing something between.
Word List
| Word | Parts | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| project | PRO- (forward) + JECT (throw) | to throw forward; a planned undertaking |
| reject | RE- (back) + JECT (throw) | to throw back; to refuse or dismiss |
| inject | IN- (into) + JECT (throw) | to throw in; to insert, especially with a needle |
| eject | RE- (back) + JECT (throw) | to throw out; to expel forcefully |
| object | OB- (against) + JECT (throw) | to throw against; to oppose; a thing |
| subject | SUB- (under) + JECT (throw) | to throw under; to bring under control; a topic |
| dejected | E- (out) + JECT (throw) | thrown down; sad and depressed |
| interject | INTER- (between) + JECT (throw) | to throw between; to interrupt with a comment |
| trajectory | TRA- (across) + JECT (throw) + -ORY | the path of something thrown; a flight path |
| conjecture | CON- (together) + JECT (throw) + -URE | thrown together; a guess based on incomplete information |
| objection | OB- (against) + JECT (throw) | the act of throwing oneself against; a protest |
| projectile | PRO- (forward) + JECT (throw) | something thrown forward; an object propelled through air |
| subjective | SUB- (under) + JECT (throw) | based on personal perspective; thrown under one's view |
| objective | OB- (against) + JECT (throw) | related to the object itself; impartial and factual |
| rejection | RE- (back) + JECT (throw) | the act of throwing back; a refusal |
Practice 1: Multiple Choice
Choose the word that best completes each sentence.
- The scientist formed a __________ about the origin of the fossils, pending more evidence.
a) rejection
b) objection
c) conjecture
d) trajectory
- After losing the championship, the players looked __________.
a) objective
b) dejected
c) projected
d) subjected
- "__________, your honor!" shouted the defense attorney.
a) Rejection
b) Injection
c) Interjection
d) Objection
- The fighter pilot was forced to __________ before the plane crashed.
a) reject
b) inject
c) eject
d) object
- We need an __________ analysis, free from personal bias.
a) subjective
b) objective
c) dejected
d) projected
- The missile's __________ was tracked by radar.
a) rejection
b) trajectory
c) injection
d) projection
- The committee voted to __________ the proposal.
a) inject
b) eject
c) reject
d) subject
- The nurse prepared to __________ the vaccine.
a) eject
b) project
c) reject
d) inject
- "I'd like to __________," she said, interrupting the speaker.
a) object
b) reject
c) interject
d) project
- Art appreciation is largely __________—it depends on personal taste.
a) objective
b) dejected
c) subjected
d) subjective
- The company plans to __________ the film on a giant outdoor screen.
a) inject
b) reject
c) project
d) eject
- Heavy objects make dangerous __________ in high winds.
a) trajectories
b) injections
c) projectiles
d) objections
Practice 2: Fill in the Blank
Use each word from the word bank exactly once.
Word Bank: project, reject, inject, eject, object, subject, dejected, interject, trajectory, conjecture, objection, projectile
The __________ of the ball determined where it would land.
Don't __________ me to unnecessary stress.
She raised an __________ to the proposed changes.
Without proof, this is pure __________.
The audience member was __________ for causing a disruption.
Please __________ the slides onto the screen.
I __________ to being treated unfairly.
A baseball is a __________ when thrown at high speed.
Medical staff __________ the medication into his arm.
After failing the test, she felt utterly __________.
May I __________ with a quick comment?
Publishers often __________ first manuscripts from new authors.
Practice 3: Reading Passage
When Dr. Ayesha Malik submitted her research, she braced for rejection. The scientific establishment often rejected ideas that challenged accepted theory—and her conjecture about dark matter did exactly that.
The trajectory of her career had been unconventional. As a young scientist, she felt dejected after her first papers were dismissed. Colleagues would interject during her presentations with objections that felt personal. But she refused to let subjective criticism derail objective science.
"Don't subject yourself to their doubt," her mentor advised. "Project confidence. Inject your passion into every word. If they try to eject you from the conversation, object—but stay calm."
She followed that advice. When reviewers raised objections, she responded with data. When critics formed conjectures about her motives, she ignored them. Slowly, the trajectory of opinion shifted.
Years later, when her work was finally accepted, a reporter asked how she handled rejection.
"Every projectile faces resistance," she said with a smile. "The question is where you aim. If your trajectory is true, eventually you land."
Questions
- Dr. Malik braced for "rejection." This means:
a) She expected acceptance
b) She expected to be thrown back or refused
c) She expected an injection
d) She expected an objective assessment
- Her "conjecture" about dark matter was controversial. A conjecture is:
a) A proven fact
b) A guess based on incomplete evidence
c) An objection
d) A trajectory
- Colleagues would "interject" during her presentations. This means they:
a) Threw comments into the middle of her talk
b) Rejected her work entirely
c) Ejected her from the room
d) Injected confidence
- Her mentor told her to "project confidence." This means:
a) To hide confidence
b) To throw confidence forward for others to see
c) To reject confidence
d) To form a conjecture
- "Every projectile faces resistance" compares Dr. Malik to:
a) Something that doesn't move
b) Something thrown forward that encounters obstacles
c) Something that is dejected
d) Something that is subjective
Answer Key
Practice 1: Multiple Choice
- c
- b
- d
- c
- b
- b
- c
- d
- c
- d
- c
- c
Practice 2: Fill in the Blank
- trajectory
- subject
- objection
- conjecture
- ejected
- project
- object
- projectile
- inject
- dejected
- interject
- reject
Reading Passage Questions
- b
- b
- a
- b
- b