Question

In the following question, a group of four words is given. In this group one word is correctly spelt. Find the correctly spelt word.

• A. ireparable
• B. irreparable
• C. irreparrable
• D. irepairable

Hint:

Irreparable doubles the r where ir- meets the r-initial root reparable.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Rather than scanning the four spellings for what looks right, let's construct the word from its parts, prefix plus root, and see which option matches.

The word is built from the negative prefix "ir-" (a form of "in-" used before roots starting with r) and the root word "reparable", which comes from Latin roots meaning capable of being restored.

Prefix: ir-

Root: reparable (r-e-p-a-r-a-b-l-e)

Joining "ir-" directly to a root beginning with "r" naturally produces a double "rr": ir + reparable = irreparable.

Now checking the options against this construction: "ireparable" drops one of the two required "r"s at the join. "irreparrable" keeps the correct double "rr" at the join but then inserts a third, unwanted "r" later in the word. "irepairable" drops one "r" at the join and additionally changes the root from "repar-" to "repair-", which does not belong in this word. Only "irreparable" reproduces the prefix-plus-root join correctly with no extra or missing letters anywhere else in the word.

This confirms option B, "irreparable", as the correct spelling.

Let's summarize:

• Build the word as prefix + root before checking the options: ir- + reparable = irreparable.
• A root beginning with "r" always doubles the "r" when the prefix "ir-" is attached.
• Check the rest of the word too, since an option can get the prefix right and still add a stray letter elsewhere, as in option C.