Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms

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ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning › Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms

Questions 1 - 10
1

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ANIMATED

Energetic

Serious

Childish

Still

Filmed

Explanation

You may use the word "animated" most frequently to describe cartoons or other "animated" television shows and movies. This word, however, means much more than merely cartoons and so forth. The word "animated" comes originally from the Latin word "anima" for soul. An "animated" being is one that is thought to have some kind of soul—though this is a very complex matter. Ancient thinkers thought that plants and animals had souls, as well as humans, since they could all somewhat "act on their own." Something that is "animate" is self-moving or merely moving, whereas an "inanimate" object is one that is not moving. Therefore, to be "animated" is to be lively, vibrant, moving, energetic, and so forth. Therefore, "energetic" is the best option among those provided.

2

Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

PROPEL

Push

Donate

Pull

Gather

Replace

Explanation

The prefix pro- means push and the suffix -pel means forward, through. So, to "propel" means to push forward or simply to push. Additionally, "gather" means collect; "replace" means get a new version of something else, take the old place of; "donate" means give to (charity).

3

Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

CLARIFY

Explain

Salvage

Occupy

Inquire

Hesitate

Explanation

The prefix clar- means clear and the suffix -ify means to make into. So, to "clarify" something means to make it clear, to make it able to be understood. This is closest in meaning to "explain." Additionally, "salvage" means rescue, save, particularly save from being thrown away; "hesitate" means delay, pause; "inquire" means ask about, question; "occupy" means take up the space of.

4

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

VERIFY

Confirm

Enunciate

Explain

Discuss

Debate

Explanation

The word "verify" comes from the Latin for true. The word "very" means truly, and the "verdict" in a court case is the statement of truth (at least how it is judged to be true). Thus, to "verify" means to prove to be true. The best option given in this question is to confirm. When something is "confirmed," we know that it is the case. (Indeed, the word itself helps to express this sort of meaning—it proves that something is firm or certain.)

5

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

INSPECT

Investigate

Condemn

Police

Watch

Worry

Explanation

The word "inspect" is related to words like "spectator" and "spectacles." A "spectator" is someone who watches something (like a football game), and "spectacles" are glasses that we use to help our vision. The root "spect-" often has this sense of meaning to look at. Thus, to "in+spect" means to look into something. It means that you look into the details carefully. This is best expressed by "investigate."

6

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

COLLISION

Crash

Hint

Grasp

Assist

Amend

Explanation

The prefix "co-" means together, so it makes sense that a "collision" is a crash or impact. “Hint” means suggest something indirectly; “grasp” means grab onto; “assist” means help; “amend” means change, edit, or fix.

7

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

FRACTURE

Break

Include

Bemoan

Describe

Represent

Explanation

The "fract-" part of "fracture" stems from the same roots as the words "fraction" (a portion of a whole) and "frangible" (breakable), so it makes sense that "fracture," when used as a verb, means break something hard. The word is often used to describe breaking a bone. "Break" is thus the answer choice closest in meaning to "fracture." As for the other answer choices, "include" means consider as part of a group; “bemoan” means complain about; “describe” means use words to share information about the characteristics of something or someone; “represent” means show using a visual or textual medium or stand in for.

8

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

DUO

Pair

Triplets

Trifecta

Quartet

Community

Explanation

The prefix "du-" means relating to two of something; it is found in words like "duet" (song for two singers or musical piece for two performers), "dual" (having two of something), and "duel" (a fight between two people in which specific rules are followed, often arranged because one competitor has somehow deeply insulted the other). Thus, it makes sense that "duo" means a pair. “Triplets” are sets of three of the same thing or three babies born at the same time to the same mother; a “trifecta” is a group of three great things working together; a “quartet” is a team of four.

9

Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ENAMORED

Captivated

Frustrated

Alleviated

Circumstantial

Momentous

Explanation

The root -amor- means love, friend. So, "enamored" means in love with, obsessed with. This is closest in meaning to "captivated" which means fascinated by, attracted to, in love with. Additionally, "momentous" means massive, of great importance; "frustrated" means annoyed, irritated; "alleviated" means (of pain) made better, soothed; "circumstantial" means (of evidence) indirect, only partially relevant or applicable.

10

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

SCRIBE

Writer

Painter

Mother

Father

Sailor

Explanation

To solve this problem it is necessary to consider the meaning of the root of the word "scribe." The root word -scrib- means write, so a "scribe" is a writer. To "inscribe" is to write in for example.

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