ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning › Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ANIMATED
Energetic
Serious
Childish
Still
Filmed
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.
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PROPEL
Push
Donate
Pull
Gather
Replace
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).
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CLARIFY
Explain
Salvage
Occupy
Inquire
Hesitate
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.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VERIFY
Confirm
Enunciate
Explain
Discuss
Debate
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.)
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INSPECT
Investigate
Condemn
Police
Watch
Worry
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."
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
COLLISION
Crash
Hint
Grasp
Assist
Amend
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.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FRACTURE
Break
Include
Bemoan
Describe
Represent
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.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DUO
Pair
Triplets
Trifecta
Quartet
Community
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.
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ENAMORED
Captivated
Frustrated
Alleviated
Circumstantial
Momentous
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.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SCRIBE
Writer
Painter
Mother
Father
Sailor
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.