Question

d. a state run by religious teachings and sacred texts
e. dictatorial monarch

| word | first base/
prefix means | second base/
suffix means | definition |

1. plutocracy
2. aristocrat
3. theocracy
4. democracy
5. autocrat

© shell education #50868—getting to the roots of social studies vocabulary 33

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each word by breaking down its prefix (or base) and suffix, then derive the definition:

1. plutocracy

• First Base/Prefix Means: pluto- (from Greek ploutos), meaning “wealth” or “riches.”
• Second Base/Suffix Means: -cracy (from Greek kratos), meaning “rule” or “government.”
• Definition: A government or society ruled by the wealthy.

2. aristocrat

• First Base/Prefix Means: aristo- (from Greek aristos), meaning “best” or “noble.”
• Second Base/Suffix Means: -crat (from Greek kratos), meaning “ruler” or “one who rules.”
• Definition: A member of the nobility or a privileged upper class (someone who rules or belongs to the “best” class).

3. theocracy

• First Base/Prefix Means: theo- (from Greek theos), meaning “god” or “divine.”
• Second Base/Suffix Means: -cracy (from Greek kratos), meaning “rule” or “government.”
• Definition: A state or government run by religious teachings and sacred texts (ruled by divine authority or religious leaders).

4. democracy

• First Base/Prefix Means: demo- (from Greek demos), meaning “people.”
• Second Base/Suffix Means: -cracy (from Greek kratos), meaning “rule” or “government.”
• Definition: A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through elected representatives.

5. autocrat

• First Base/Prefix Means: auto- (from Greek autos), meaning “self.”
• Second Base/Suffix Means: -crat (from Greek kratos), meaning “ruler” or “one who rules.”
• Definition: A ruler with absolute power; a dictatorial monarch (someone who rules by themselves with unlimited authority).

If we format this as a table (matching the original structure):

Word	First Base/Prefix Means	Second Base/Suffix Means	Definition
2. aristocrat	aristo- = best/noble	-crat = ruler	Member of nobility/privileged upper class (noble ruler).
3. theocracy	theo- = god/divine	-cracy = rule/government	State run by religious teachings/sacred texts (divine rule).
4. democracy	demo- = people	-cracy = rule/government	Government by the people (direct/representative rule).
5. autocrat	auto- = self	-crat = ruler	Dictatorial monarch (ruler with absolute, self - granted power).

Answer:

To solve this, we analyze each word by breaking down its prefix (or base) and suffix, then derive the definition:

1. plutocracy

• First Base/Prefix Means: pluto- (from Greek ploutos), meaning “wealth” or “riches.”
• Second Base/Suffix Means: -cracy (from Greek kratos), meaning “rule” or “government.”
• Definition: A government or society ruled by the wealthy.

2. aristocrat

• First Base/Prefix Means: aristo- (from Greek aristos), meaning “best” or “noble.”
• Second Base/Suffix Means: -crat (from Greek kratos), meaning “ruler” or “one who rules.”
• Definition: A member of the nobility or a privileged upper class (someone who rules or belongs to the “best” class).

3. theocracy

• First Base/Prefix Means: theo- (from Greek theos), meaning “god” or “divine.”
• Second Base/Suffix Means: -cracy (from Greek kratos), meaning “rule” or “government.”
• Definition: A state or government run by religious teachings and sacred texts (ruled by divine authority or religious leaders).

4. democracy

• First Base/Prefix Means: demo- (from Greek demos), meaning “people.”
• Second Base/Suffix Means: -cracy (from Greek kratos), meaning “rule” or “government.”
• Definition: A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through elected representatives.

5. autocrat

• First Base/Prefix Means: auto- (from Greek autos), meaning “self.”
• Second Base/Suffix Means: -crat (from Greek kratos), meaning “ruler” or “one who rules.”
• Definition: A ruler with absolute power; a dictatorial monarch (someone who rules by themselves with unlimited authority).

If we format this as a table (matching the original structure):

Word	First Base/Prefix Means	Second Base/Suffix Means	Definition
2. aristocrat	aristo- = best/noble	-crat = ruler	Member of nobility/privileged upper class (noble ruler).
3. theocracy	theo- = god/divine	-cracy = rule/government	State run by religious teachings/sacred texts (divine rule).
4. democracy	demo- = people	-cracy = rule/government	Government by the people (direct/representative rule).
5. autocrat	auto- = self	-crat = ruler	Dictatorial monarch (ruler with absolute, self - granted power).