We need a plural noun referring to people because the verb phrase harming requires an object, and the context of international military law involves protecting people who are not fighting. We take the root combat, turn it into the noun combatant (a person engaged in fighting), and add the negative prefix non- and the plural suffix -s to get noncombatants.

Following the adjective ambitious, we need a plural noun referring to people. The context describes employees eager to take initiative and drive company growth. We use the compound noun go-getter in plural form.

Following the possessive noun Sarah’s, we need a noun. The context explains that the community garden was an original idea or project born out of her desire. By combining brain and child, we form the compound noun brainchild, which refers to an idea, plan, or creation of one person.

We need an adverb functioning as a conjunction to connect two independent clauses and show the negative consequence of failing to meet the Friday deadline. The suffix -wise (in the manner or direction of) is added to the root other to form otherwise, meaning if not or under other circumstances.

This word modifies how the action was done, meaning we need an adverb. The text states that he tried to fix the pipe himself but it flooded the next morning, implying the work was done poorly and without skill. We add the negative prefix in- to create the adjective inexpert, and then the suffix -ly to form the adverb.

We need an adverb to modify the verb accepted. The context states that the speaker had been struggling financially, so they felt thankful to receive a job offer that could support their family. We turn the root noun gratitude into the adjective grateful and add the adverb suffix -ly to get an adverb.

Following the singular indefinite article a and the adjective vital, we need a singular noun. For elderly residents living alone in isolation, this daily phone call keeps them connected to safety and help. We use the compound noun lifeline, which refers to a thing on which someone’s life or well-being depends.

We need an adjective to modify the noun report. Because the report exposed widespread corruption within the city’s public works department, the writer may not be afraid to talk about or criticize somebody/something in an honest and very direct way. We combine hard and hitting to make the compound adjective hard-hitting, which describes a speech or piece of writing that includes strong criticism of something.

The sentence requires a past simple verb to show the action of the rumors moving through social media. We transform the root circle into the verb circulate (to move around continuously or spread from place to place), and add the past simple suffix -ed.

The context outlines an extraordinary, unplanned coincidence of running into an old friend in Paris. The word happenstance is formed by blending happen and circumstance (taking the ending part), meaning a chance or coincidental situation. In this sentence, happenstance collocates with by.