Lesson 13: SENS / SENT
The Root
SENS / SENT comes from Latin and means "to feel" or "to be aware."
When you see these roots, think about feelings, senses, or opinions.
Word List
| Word | Parts | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| sense | SENS (feel/perceive) | a faculty by which the body perceives an external stimulus; one of the faculties of sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch |
| sensation | SENS (feel) + -ATION (action/state) | a physical feeling or perception resulting from something that happens to or comes into contact with the body |
| sensitive | SENS (feel) + -IVE/-ORY (related to) | quick to detect or respond to slight changes, signals, or influences; easily damaged, injured, or distressed |
| sentiment | SENT (feel) + -MENT (result) | a view of or attitude toward a situation or event; an opinion; a feeling or emotion |
| consent | CON- (together) + SENT (feel) | permission for something to happen or agreement to do something (literally "to feel together") |
| resent | DIS- (apart) / RE- (back) + SENT (feel) | to feel bitterness or indignation at a circumstance, action, or person (literally "to feel back" or "feel again" in a bad way) |
| dissent | DIS- (apart) / RE- (back) + SENT (feel) | the expression or holding of opinions at variance with those previously, commonly, or officially held (literally "to feel apart") |
| nonsense | SENS (feel/perceive) | spoken or written words that have no meaning or make no sense |
| consensus | CON- (together) + SENT (feel) | general agreement (literally "feeling together") |
| sentimental | SENT (feel) + -MENT (result) | of or prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia |
| sensory | SENS (feel) + -IVE/-ORY (related to) | relating to sensation or the physical senses |
| insensate | IN- (not) + SENS (feel) + -ATE | lacking physical sensation; lacking sympathy or compassion; unfeeling |
Practice 1: Multiple Choice
Choose the word that best completes each sentence.
- The committee reached a __________ and finally agreed on the plan.
a) consensus
b) nonsense
c) dissent
d) sensation
- She is very __________ to loud noises and covers her ears.
a) sensitive
b) insensate
c) sensory
d) sentimental
- You need to sign the form to give your __________ for the field trip.
a) sense
b) consent
c) resent
d) dissent
- The judge wrote a strong __________ explaining why he disagreed with the verdict.
a) consent
b) nonsense
c) dissent
d) consensus
- Touching the hot stove caused a painful burning __________.
a) nonsense
b) sentiment
c) sensation
d) consensus
- He kept his old teddy bear for __________ reasons.
a) sensitive
b) sensory
c) insensate
d) sentimental
- "Cats can fly" is a statement of pure __________.
a) nonsense
b) consensus
c) consent
d) sense
- Dogs have amazing __________ abilities, especially smell.
a) sentimental
b) sensory
c) mental
d) senseless
- Do not __________ me just because I got the promotion and you didn't.
a) sense
b) dissent
c) resent
d) consent
- The rock was __________, feeling no pain when I kicked it.
a) insensate
b) sentimental
c) sensory
d) sensitive
- Public __________ has shifted against the war; people are angry.
a) sensory
b) sentiment
c) sensation
d) nonsense
- Use your common __________ to look both ways before crossing the street.
a) dissent
b) nonsense
c) sense
d) consent
Practice 2: Fill in the Blank
Use each word from the word bank exactly once.
Word Bank: sense, sensation, sensitive, sentiment, consent, resent, dissent, nonsense, consensus, sentimental, sensory, insensate
The room was full of __________ like the smell of cookies and the sound of music.
I __________ having to clean up a mess I didn't make.
We need a __________ of everyone in the group before we can order pizza toppings.
The scary movie gave me a creepy __________ that someone was watching me.
He is a __________ guy who cries at weddings.
The student expressed __________ by refusing to stand for the anthem.
Don't speak __________; tell me the truth!
My skin is __________ to sunlight, so I burn easily.
You must get your parents' __________ to go on the trip.
The table is __________; it doesn't care if you hit it.
The general __________ among the workers was that the pay was too low.
It makes no __________ to wear a coat in the summer.
Practice 3: Reading Passage
The Town Meeting
The town needed to build a new bridge. The mayor hoped for a consensus, but the meeting was chaotic. Many citizens voiced their dissent. They felt the bridge was a waste of money—pure nonsense.
Others were sentimental about the old bridge, even though it was falling apart. They seemed to resent the idea of change. The mayor tried to appeal to their good sense, explaining that the old structure was dangerous. Finally, after hours of arguing, the town gave its consent to start construction.
Reading PassageQuestions
- The mayor hoped for a "consensus." This means:
a) A fight
b) General agreement
c) A sensation
d) A disaster
- Citizens voiced their "dissent." This means:
a) They agreed
b) They disagreed
c) They cried
d) They consented
- Why were some people "sentimental"?
a) They liked the old bridge because of memories
b) They hated the bridge
c) They were insensate
d) They were sensitive to sunlight
- To "resent" the change means:
a) To be happy about it
b) To feel bitter or angry about it
c) To understand it
d) To sense it
- The town finally gave "consent." This means:
a) They gave up
b) They gave permission
c) They gave money
d) They gave nonsense
Answer Key
Practice 1: Multiple Choice
- a
- a
- b
- c
- c
- d
- a
- b
- c
- a
- b
- c
Practice 2: Fill in the Blank
- sensory
- resent
- consensus
- sensation
- sentimental
- dissent
- nonsense
- sensitive
- consent
- insensate
- sentiment
- sense
Reading Passage Questions
- b
- b
- a
- b
- b