What verb meaning "to do" is the root of "essay," "examine," "exigency," and "exact"?

The correct answer is rooted in the Latin verb that conveys the concept of "to do." The root of the words "essay," "examine," "exigency," and "exact" comes from "agō," which means "to do" or "to act."

In the case of "essay," it derives from the French word "essayer," which means "to try" or "to attempt," linking back to the sense of doing something. "Examine" is related to the act of closely inspecting or investigating, again aligning with the notion of doing something actively. "Exigency" refers to urgent needs or demands that necessitate action. Lastly, "exact" implies a certain precision or correctness, typically requiring a specific action to achieve that accuracy.

Thus, each of these terms is inherently connected to the concept of doing or acting in some form, which is encapsulated in the Latin verb "agō." This highlights why "agō" is the correct choice for the root that ties all these words together.