Four challenges a person will face when he/she is working/studying away from home

1. by a sculptora.ablative of agentb.ablative of means2. by a patrona.ablative of agentb.ablative of means3. by hammer and chisela.ablative of agentb.ablative of means4. by millions of art loversa.ablative of agentb.ablative of means5. by berninia.ablative of agentb.ablative of means

Which of the following root words means "small"?

Can someone tell me what these symbols mean or what does it say