Spelling & One-Word Substitution • Topic 3 of 4
One-Word Substitution (People)
Many one-word-substitution items name a kind of person. Identify the key trait in the phrase, then recall the term. The pool is finite and repeats.
Words for people
| Phrase | One word |
|---|---|
| studies the stars and planets | astronomer |
| eats everything | omnivore |
| cannot read or write | illiterate |
| walks in sleep | somnambulist |
| does not believe in God | atheist |
| loves books | bibliophile |
| 100 years old or more | centenarian |
Use the roots. "somn-" = sleep (somnambulist), "biblio-" = books (bibliophile), "a-" = without (atheist). Decode the root and the answer often appears.
✅ Solved examples
1. One who studies the stars and planets.
Astronomer.
2. A person who eats everything.
Omnivore.
3. A person who cannot read or write.
Illiterate.
4. A person who is 100 years old or more.
Centenarian.
✏️ Practice — try these, take hints as needed
1. One who walks while sleeping.
"somn-" = sleep.
—
—
Somnambulist
2. One who does not believe in God.
"a-" = without.
—
—
Atheist
3. A person who loves books.
"biblio-".
—
—
Bibliophile
4. One who eats only vegetables.
Common word.
—
—
Vegetarian
5. A government by the people.
"-cracy".
—
—
Democracy
📝 Topic test — 8 questions
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Formula Reference Sheet
This chapter
Spelling rules & cues
| "i before e" | except after c — believe, receive |
|---|---|
| Double the consonant | before -ed/-ing on short-vowel words: stop → stopping |
| Silent letters | know, hour, doubt, psychology |
| One-word sub method | identify the key idea, then recall the term |
SSC reference
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