Ultimate word success - Peterson's 2009
Day 10 Dissect Test-worthy Words About Medicine and Anatomy
Part IV Unlock Key Words
A surprising number of medical terms appear on standardized tests. That’s because these words are useful in daily life. Test makers know that everyday medical terminology will be helpful for you in the future, so they test it now.
Play Doctor with Fifteen Words About Body Parts
As you learned earlier in this book, mastering prefixes, roots, and suffixes is the easiest way to decode many unfamiliar words. Don’t be put off by the length and seeming difficulty of the following words. Many medical and anatomical words come from Greek and Latin roots, which makes them relatively easy to figure out—if you stay cool and remember what you learned in Part II about affixes and roots. Use that knowledge now to decode the following words that concern body parts.
Root |
Meaning |
Example |
Pronunciation |
Meaning |
arteri |
artery |
artery |
ar-ter-ree |
blood vessel |
arthr |
joint |
arthritis |
ar-thri-tus |
inflammation of the joints |
bronch |
throat |
bronchitis |
bron-ky-tus |
inflammation of the bronchial tubes |
cardio |
heart |
cardiovascular |
kar-dee-oh-vas- quoo-lar |
dealing with the heart, blood vessels |
chiro |
hand |
chiropractic |
ky-roh-prak-tik |
spinal column manipulation to cure illness |
cranio |
skull |
cranium |
kray-nee-um |
skull |
derm |
skin |
epidermis |
eh-pih-der-mis |
skin |
digit |
finger, toe |
digital |
dij-ih-tal |
pertaining to a digit |
gastr |
stomach |
gastrology |
gas-strol-oh-jee |
stomach complaints |
hem |
blood |
hematology |
hee-mah-tol-oh-jee |
pertaining to blood |
laryn |
larynx |
larynx |
lar-inks |
structure in the throat |
neur |
nerve |
neurology |
nuh-rah-loh-jee |
pertaining to the nervous system |
pneum |
lung |
pneumonia |
noo-mohn-ya |
illness of the lungs |
pulmo |
lung |
pulmonary |
puhl-moh-nair-ee |
pertaining to the lungs |
sarc |
flesh; connective tissue |
sarcoma |
sar-koh-mah |
malignant tumor arising in tissue |
Uncover Test-worthy Words About Medical Procedures
The following twelve words crop up often on standardized tests. They’re also useful in everyday life, so they’re twice as worthy of your time. Read each word and the pronunciation. Then, cover the last column and try to guess the definition using what you learned about word parts.
Word |
Pronunciation |
Meaning |
anesthetized |
ah-nes-tha-tized |
deaden to pain |
antibiotic |
an-tih-by-ah-tik |
bacteria-killing substances |
antidote |
an-tih-doht |
remedy that acts against poison |
antiseptic |
an-tih-sep-tik |
substance that kills germs |
asymptomatic |
ay-sim-toh-mah-tik |
not showing any symptoms of disease |
benign |
bih-nyn |
not life-threatening; harmless |
coagulate |
ko-ag-yu-layt |
thicken or clot (as in blood) |
convalescence |
kahn-vah-less-ence |
gradual recovery; period of recovery |
diagnosis |
dy-ag-noh-sis |
identification of an illness |
remission |
ree-mih-shun |
disappearance of disease symptoms |
sutured |
soo-chured |
closed with stitches |
therapy |
ther-uh-pee |
treatment of disease |
Time for Fun: Word-Find Puzzle
There are fifteen words hidden in this word-find puzzle. Many of the words have already been introduced in this chapter, but a few are new. To complete the puzzle, locate and circle all the words. (See the word list below.) The words may be written forward, backward, or upside down. The answers appear on here. Good luck!
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Word List
1. cardiovascular: dealing with the heart, blood vessels
2. coagulate: thicken or clot
3. artery: blood vessel
4. therapy: treatment of disease
5. epidermis: skin
6. natal (nay-tul): pertaining to birth
7. pathology (path-ahl-uh-jee): the study of the processes and causes of disease
8. morbidity (mor-bid-ih-tee): the incidence or prevalence of disease or death
9. sarcoma: malignant tumor in tissue
10. larynx: structure in the throat
11. asymptomatic: not showing any symptoms of disease
12. hospice (hah-spis): a caregiving environment for the terminally ill
13. benign: harmless
14. digital: pertaining to fingers and toes
15. prognosis (prahg-noh-sis): a medical forecast of the course of an illness and chances of recovery
Seventh-Inning Stretch: Multiple-Choice #1
Select the correct meaning for each of the following boldfaced words. Circle your choice. The answers appear on here.
1. cranium
(A) chest cavity
(B) nose
(C) fingers
(D) bones
(E) skull
2. epidermis
(A) sensitive
(B) depilatory
(C) skin
(D) blood vessels
(E) serious illness
3. arthritis
(A) inflammation of the liver
(B) inflammation of the spleen
(C) inflammation of the joints
(D) inflammation of the bronchial tubes
(E) type of microscopic surgery
4. antiseptic
(A) a substance that kills germs
(B) deaden to pain
(C) not showing any symptoms of disease
(D) asymptomatic
(E) remedy that acts against poison
5. benign
(A) cancerous
(B) not life-threatening; harmless
(C) dangerous
(D) beneficial
(E) one of nine
6. coagulate
(A) type of chiropractic
(B) attenuate
(C) thin
(D) thicken
(E) convalescence
7. diagnosis
(A) type of surgery
(B) pertaining to the lungs
(C) forecast
(D) identification of an illness
(E) estimate
8. anesthetize
(A) deaden to pain
(B) anecdote
(C) pertaining to the blood vessels
(D) type of permanent cure
(E) informed consent
9. antibiotic
(A) type of health food
(B) poison
(C) closed with stitches
(D) sacrament
(E) bacteria-killing substances; medicine a doctor prescribes
10. remission
(A) renege
(B) relapse
(C) readmitted to the hospital
(D) disappearance of disease symptoms
(E) reinvent
Explore Types of Medical Conditions
The following medical terms describe illnesses or injuries. They are all words you are likely to see on standardized tests, so why not meet them now? As you read the list, say each word aloud. Then, use each word in a sentence to help you remember it.
Word |
Pronunciation |
Meaning |
aneurysm |
an-yoor-is-um |
abnormal blood-filled part of an artery |
carcinogenic |
car-sin-oh-jen-ik |
cancer-producing |
comatose |
koh-mah-tose |
unconscious; in a coma |
concussion |
kuhn-kush-un |
brain injury |
hematoma |
hee-mah-toh-mah |
swelling |
incision |
in-sih-shun |
cut, as in surgery |
lacerated |
lah-sir-ray-ted |
torn, as in a wound |
lesion |
lee-shun |
injury |
melanoma |
meh-lah-no-mah |
cancerous skin cell |
migraine |
my-grayn |
intense headache |
toxic |
tahx-ik |
poisonous |
ulcer |
ul-sur |
an open sore |
Give It a Try: Word Scramble
To complete the following acrostic, first unscramble each of the vocabulary words so that it matches its definition. Then, use the words to fill in the appropriate spaces on the corresponding lines. When you have completed the entire puzzle, another vocabulary word will read vertically in the circles. The answers appear on here.
rgneaiim |
intense headache |
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demiperis |
skin |
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arlceeatd |
torn, as in a wound |
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rytera |
blood vessel |
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atnal |
pertaining to birth |
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rpmttosoeit |
eyecare provider who tests vision and prescribes eyeglasses and contact lenses |
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ybidormit |
the incidence or prevalence of disease (or death) |
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enursmya |
abnormal blood-filled part of an artery |
Learn More Words About Medicine
The suffix -itis means “inflammation.” For example, dermatitis is a skin inflammation, gastritis is a stomach inflammation, gingivitis is a gum inflammation, meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain, and phlebitis is an inflammation of a vein.
Below are some test-worthy words that describe medical conditions. You’re likely to see these words on the SAT, GED, ACT, PSAT/NMSQT, or TOEFL.
Word |
Pronunciation |
Meaning |
alopecia |
al-oh-pee-shuh |
hair loss |
anorexia nervosa |
ahn-uh-rex-ee-uh nur-voh-suh |
extreme aversion to food |
asthma |
as-mah |
disease marked by recurrent attacks of distressed breathing |
bulimia |
buh-leem-ee-uh |
abnormal food craving followed by purging |
cirrhosis |
sir-roh-sus |
disease of the liver |
congenital |
kun-jen-ih-tul |
condition originating before birth |
diabetes |
dy-uh-bee-tees |
insulin deficiency disease |
insomnia |
in-som-nee-uh |
inability to sleep |
lymph nodes |
limf nodes |
lymphoid organs |
plasma |
plas-muh |
fluid portion of the blood |
schizophrenia |
skitz-oh-fren-ee-uh |
type of psychosis |
tumor |
too-mer |
abnormal mass of tissue that grows rapidly |
Seventh-Inning Stretch: Word-Definition Match #1
This time, match the word to its definition. You may wish to say the word aloud as you look for the match. Remember: saying the words will help you remember them. Then, write the letter of your answer in the space provided. The answers appear on here.
_____ 1. schizophrenia |
a. hair loss |
_____ 2. diabetes |
b. poisonous |
_____ 3. tumor |
c. ritual |
_____ 4. congenital |
d. type of psychosis |
_____ 5. insomnia |
e. lymphoid organs |
_____ 6. anorexia nervosa |
f. inability to sleep |
_____ 7. toxic |
g. portion of the blood |
_____ 8. cirrhosis |
h. torn, as a wound |
_____ 9. lacerated |
i. abnormal mass of tissue that grows too fast |
_____ 10. sacrament |
j. extreme aversion to food |
_____ 11. lymph nodes |
k. disease marked by recurrent attacks of |
_____ 12. bulimia |
distressed breathing |
_____ 13. plasma |
l. insulin deficiency disease |
_____ 14. asthma |
m. abnormal food craving and purging |
_____ 15. alopecia |
n. condition originating before birth |
o. disease of the liver |
Master Words About Fears
The root mania means a “compulsion” or “preoccupation with.” Phobia means “fear.” Many of these words are likely to appear on standardized tests.
Word |
Fear of |
Pronunciation |
acrophobia |
heights |
ak-kroh-foh-bee-uh |
chronophobia |
time |
krahn-oh-foh-bee-uh |
demophobia |
people |
deh-moh-foh-bee-uh |
entomophobia |
insects |
en-toh-moh-foh-bee-uh |
ergophobia |
work |
er-goh-foh-bee-uh |
gerontophobia |
old people |
jer-ahn-toh-foh-bee-uh |
hematophobia |
blood |
hee-mat-toh-foh-bee-uh |
necrophobia |
corpses |
nek-roh-foh-bee-uh |
nyctophobia |
night |
nick-toh-foh-bee-uh |
pedophobia |
children |
ped-doh-foh-bee-uh |
theophobia |
God |
thee-oh-foh-bee-uh |
thermophobia |
heat |
therm-oh-foh-bee-uh |
Discover Words About Obsessions
Along with fears come our fixations. The following words describe these conditions. The words are long and seemingly difficult so they are ideal for standardized tests. However, if you take them apart and look at the prefixes, roots, and suffixes, you’ll discover that these words are all relatively easy to decode.
Word |
Preoccupation with |
Pronunciation |
gamomania |
marriage |
gah-moh-may-nee-uh |
kleptomania |
stealing |
klep-toh-may-nee-uh |
megalomania |
self-greatness |
meh-ga-loh-may-nee-uh |
mythomania |
lies |
mith-oh-may-nee-uh |
phagomania |
eating |
fag-oh-may-nee-uh |
plutomania |
wealth |
ploo-toh-may-nee-uh |
pyromania |
fire |
py-roh-may-nee-uh |
xenomania |
foreigners |
zen-no-may-nee-uh |
zoomania |
animals |
zoo-may-nee-uh |
Time for Fun: True or False
In the space provided, write T if the definition of each word is true and F if it is false. Try to use what you learned in this lesson. The answers appear on here.
_____ 1. entomophobia |
fear of insects |
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_____ 2. mythomania |
fear of lies |
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_____ 3. plutomania |
obsession with the planet Pluto |
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_____ 4. necrophobia |
fear of corpses |
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_____ 5. pyromania |
obsession with fire |
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_____ 6. megalomania |
obsession with eating |
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_____ 7. acrophobia |
fear of heights |
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_____ 8. nyctophobia |
fear of night |
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_____ 9. kleptomania |
obsession with stealing |
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_____ 10. xenomania |
obsession with work |
Seventh-Inning Stretch: Multiple-Choice #2
Select the correct meaning for each of the following boldfaced words. Circle your choice. The answers appear on here.
1. After he was booked in the police station, the kleptomaniac admitted that he had a long-standing problem with __________.
(A) foreigners
(B) fire
(C) stealing
(D) night terrors
(E) alienation
2. The CEO can only be described as a megalomaniac, because she was obsessed with __________.
(A) corpses
(B) eating
(C) heights
(D) lies
(E) self-greatness
3. A pyromaniac might gravitate toward a job as a __________.
(A) mortician
(B) firefighter
(C) teacher
(D) weather forecaster
(E) chef
4. Xenophobics are likely to sponsor a law to keep out __________.
(A) land developments
(B) foreigners
(C) the elderly
(D) organized religion
(E) children
5. People who suffer from zoomania are most likely to be found visiting __________.
(A) wildlife preserves
(B) extended-care residential facilities
(C) hospitals
(D) funeral homes
(E) observatories
6. A person with necrophobia would be best off avoiding __________.
(A) fires
(B) infants and young children
(C) the elderly
(D) dead bodies
(E) large insects
7. My friend with nyctophobia always slept with a light on because she was afraid of __________.
(A) insects
(B) the dark
(C) fire
(D) noises
(E) insomnia
8. Although fearless as a child, Carlos developed acrophobia in his late teens and had to abandon his dream of becoming a __________.
(A) lion tamer
(B) rodeo cowboy
(C) racecar driver
(D) submarine sailor
(E) tight-rope walker
9. The chronophobiac never wore a watch because she had a fear of __________.
(A) tight bindings
(B) leather
(C) chrome
(D) losing precious things
(E) time
10. The entomophobiac hiker stayed out of the woods because she had a fear of __________.
(A) big trees
(B) avalanches
(C) falling down
(D) insects
(E) bears
Dissect More Medical Words
The following medical terms are all in general use, which makes them not only likely to appear on a standardized test but also important for educated people to know. Select the words you find most difficult and write them on note cards, as you learned on Day 3.
1. astringent (uh-strin-junt): a harsh, biting substance
2. chronic (krah-nik): continuous; constant
3. congenital (kun-jen-ih-tul): inborn; innate
4. emetic (uh-meh-tik): any substance used to induce vomiting
5. febrile (feh-bryl): feverish
6. geriatric (jayr-ee-at-rik): relating to medical care and treatment of the elderly
7. morbidity (mor-bid-ih-tee): the incidence or prevalence of disease or death
8. prognosis (prahg-noh-sis): a medical prediction or forecast of the course of an illness and chances of recovery
9. prosthesis (prahs-thee-sis): an artificial device to replace a missing part of the body
10. quarantine (kwor-un-teen): isolation of a person to prevent spread of disease (also used as a verb)
11. senescent (suh-nes-unt): growing old; aging
12. vertigo (ver-tih-goh): dizziness and the sensation of head-spinning
Seventh-Inning Stretch: Word-Definition Match #2
Match each numbered word in the left column with its lettered definition in the right column. Then, write the letter of your answer in the space provided. The answers appear on here.
_____ 1. febrile |
a. dizziness |
|
_____ 2. congenital |
b. isolation of a person to prevent spread of disease |
|
_____ 3. astringent |
c. relating to medical care and treatment of the elderly |
|
_____ 4. emetic |
d. feverish |
|
_____ 5. geriatric |
e. aging |
|
_____ 6. morbidity |
f. substance used to induce vomiting |
|
_____ 7. prosthesis |
g. the incidence or prevalence of disease or death |
|
_____ 8. quarantine |
h. harsh, biting substance |
|
_____ 9. senescent |
i. an artificial limb |
|
_____ 10. vertigo |
j. innate |
Prescribe Words for Special Doctors
The following chart shows the terms for specialists. These are often used in analogies involving a person and his or her occupation.
Doctor |
Specialty |
allergist (a-ler-jist) |
doctor who treats sensitivity to pollen, food, pets, and so on |
anesthesiologist (ah-nis-thee-zee-ahl-oh-jist) |
doctor who reduces pain and renders patients unconscious |
audiologist (aw-dee-ah-loh-jist) |
hearing specialist |
cardiologist (car-dee-ah-loh-jist) |
doctor who specializes in heart diseases |
dermatologist (der-mah-tahl-loh-jist) |
doctor who specializes in skin conditions |
endocrinologist (en-doh-crin-nol-oh-jist) |
doctor who specializes in glands and metabolic disorders |
epidemiologist (eh-pih-dee-mee-ol-oh-jist) |
doctor who specializes in infectious diseases |
gastroenterologist (gas-trow-en-ter-rah-lo-jist) |
doctor who specializes in diseases of the digestive organs |
gerontologist (jeh-rahn-tahl-oh-jist) |
health-care professional who specializes in the study of aging and the problems of older adults |
hematologist (hee-mah-tah-loh-jist) |
doctor who specializes in diseases of the blood |
immunologist (im-yu-nahl-oh-jist) |
doctor who specializes in the phenomena and causes of immunity and immune responses |
internist (in-turn-ist) |
doctor who specializes in internal medicine |
neonatologist (nee-oh-nay-tahl-oh-jist) |
doctor who specializes in very young infants, usually birth to ten days |
nephrologist (neh-frah-loh-jist) |
doctor who specializes in diseases of the kidneys and related organs |
neurologist (noo-rahl-oh-jist) |
doctor who deals with the nervous system |
obstetrician (ahb-stah-trih-shun) |
doctor who delivers babies All obstetricians are gynecologists, but not all gynecologists are obstetricians because they may choose not to deliver babies. |
oncologist (ohn-col-oh-jist) |
doctor who treats cancer |
ophthalmologist (ohf-tho-mahl-oh-jist) |
doctor who treats diseases of the eye and tests vision These are the doctors to see if you want or need eye surgery. |
optometrist (ahp-tahm-uh-trist) |
eye-care provider who tests vision and prescribes eyeglasses and contact lenses |
orthopedist (or-thoh-pee-dist) |
doctor who fixes broken bones |
osteopath (ahs-tee-oh-path) |
doctor who treats illness through the skeleton and muscle systems These doctors often function as general practitioners. |
otolaryngologist (oh-toh-lahr-en-gahl-oh-jist) |
doctor who treats conditions of the ear, nose, and throat Often called “ENT” (ear, nose, and throat) specialists, for short. |
pathologist (path-ahl-oh-jist) |
doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope Your doctor will send slides of growths and masses to these doctors for analysis. |
pediatrician (pee-dee-uh-trish-un) |
doctor who treats children See these doctors if your child is ill with a virus, ear infection, and so on. |
periodontist (per-ee-oh-dahn-tist) |
doctor who treats gum diseases |
plastic surgeon |
doctor who repairs and remakes the body See these doctors to correct certain types of birth defects or for cosmetic surgery. |
podiatrist (poh-dy-uh-trist) |
doctor who deals with foot problems |
psychiatrist (sy-ky-uh-trist) |
physician (M.D.) who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness See these doctors for extended therapy and medication to deal with mental illness or trauma. |
psychologist (sy-kahl-oh-jist) |
social scientist who studies behavior and mental processes in a research or clinical setting Psychologists can only use talk therapy as treatment; you must see a psychiatrist or other medical doctor to be treated with medication. |
pulmonologist (pul-mah-nahl-oh-jist) |
doctor who deals with the lungs and related diseases See these doctors if you have a disease of the respiratory system, such as asthma. |
radiologist (ray-dee-ahl-oh-jist) |
medical doctor who specializes in the reading and interpretation of X-rays and other medical images |
rheumatologist (roo-mah-tahl-oh-jist) |
doctor who deals with inflammation and pain in muscles and joints |
urologist (yoo-rahl-oh-jist) |
doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the urinary tract and urogenital system |
Psychology, the science of the mind, gets its name from Psyche, a beautiful woman in Greek mythology who was desired by Eros, the god of love. He forbade her to look at him because he was a god. When she disobeyed him by lighting a lamp in the dark, he abandoned her. Eventually she was reunited with Eros and joined the immortals. She was worshipped as the personification of the human soul.
Seventh-Inning Stretch: Multiple-Choice #3
Select the word that best completes each sentence. Then, write the letter of the word in the space. The answers appear on here.
1. Consult an __________ if you have hay fever or a severe reaction to any kind of food.
(A) allergist
(B) anesthesiologist
(C) obstetrician
(D) oncologist
(E) osteopath
2. An __________ would be present during surgery to handle the patient’s pain.
(A) epidemiologist
(B) anesthesiologist
(C) allergist
(D) obstetrician
(E) otolaryngologist
3. A(n) __________ usually does research and tracks outbreaks of major contagious diseases.
(A) hematologist
(B) nephrologist
(C) neurologist
(D) epidemiologist
(E) urologist
4. See a __________ if you suspect you have an ulcer or trouble with your stomach.
(A) periodontist
(B) dermatologist
(C) hematologist
(D) gastroenterologist
(E) surgeon
5. A(n) __________ specializes in the needs and issues of older individuals.
(A) gastroenterologist
(B) osteopath
(C) gerontologist
(D) surgeon
(E) oncologist
6. Consult a(n) __________ if you suspect you have difficulty hearing.
(A) audiologist
(B) hematologist
(C) pediatrician
(D) psychologist
(E) dermatologist
7. See a __________ if you suspect you had a heart attack.
(A) urologist
(B) surgeon
(C) podiatrist
(D) periodontist
(E) cardiologist
8. A __________ would be consulted if an infant were in distress.
(A) psychologist
(B) neurologist
(C) neonatologist
(D) plastic surgeon
(E) radiologist
9. Consult a(n) __________ if you have a kidney infection.
(A) otolaryngologist
(B) psychologist
(C) podiatrist
(D) nephrologist
(E) urologist
10. See a ___________ if you have a burn, acne, or suspicious moles.
(A) dermatologist
(B) neonatologist
(C) plastic surgeon
(D) pediatrician
(E) radiologist
Answers and Explanations
Word-Find Puzzle (here)
Multiple-Choice #1 (here)
1. E
2. C
3. C
4. A
5. B
6. D
7. D
8. A
9. E
10. D
Word Scramble (here)
migraine
epidermis
lacerated
artery
natal
optometrist
morbidity
aneurysm
Reading down: melanoma
Word-Definition Match #1 (here)
1. d
2. l
3. i
4. n
5. f
6. j
7. b
8. o
9. h
10. c
11. e
12. m
13. g
14. k
15. a
True or False (here)
1. T
2. F
3. F
4. T
5. T
6. F
7. T
8. T
9. T
10. F
Multiple-Choice #2 (here)
1. C
2. E
3. B
4. B
5. A
6. D
7. B
8. E
9. E
10. D
Word-Definition Match #2 (here)
1. d
2. j
3. h
4. f
5. c
6. g
7. i
8. b
9. e
10. a
Multiple-Choice #3 (here)
1. A
2. B
3. D
4. D
5. C
6. A
7. E
8. C
9. D
10. A