Kentucky Governor's Cup Practice Test

In the compound word tailspin, what is the second half meaning to revolve or rotate rapidly?

Spinny Whirl Spin Twirl

Correct Answer:

Spin

Explanation:

The key idea here is recognizing how the second part of a compound word carries the action it describes. In tailspin, the second half is spin, the verb that means to rotate rapidly. This gives the word its sense of a fast, spinning movement, like a downward spiral. While whirl or twirl convey similar ideas of spinning, they’re not the actual component used in this word. Spin is the precise root, so it best captures the second half’s meaning. Spinny is just an adjective form, which isn’t the intended meaning here.

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