Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms

Help Questions

ISEE Middle 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.

SUBSIDE

Slacken

Bury

Unearth

Conquer

Defeat

Explanation

Whenever something subsides, it lessens in its strength or force. The prefix "sub-" means "under." The "-side" portion of the word comes from the Latin root for "to sit." This same root is found in words like "sedentary" and "sedate." Something that "subsides" starts to "sit under"—not in a literal sense, of course! It just means that the thing in question lessens. The only option among those provided that expresses the idea of lessening is "slacken." When a rope slackens, it becomes less tight. The general idea of slackening is that of becoming less or looser. Hence, this is an acceptable synonym for "subside," at least among the options provided.

2

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

INTERSPERSED

Mixed

Planted

Fixated

Tenacious

Regular

Explanation

The prefix "inter-" should help you to figure out this word's meaning, even if you do not know it otherwise. This prefix means between. When you go to a theatre show, there is "intermission." This is the break that is between the main acts. This prefix should not be confused with "intra-," which means within. Now, "interspersed" means scattered between. When something is sparse, it is scattered. Thus, the "-spersed" portion of the word means scattered. When you intersperse something among other things, you mix it into them. Thus, the best option for this question is "mix."

3

Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

SUPERIMPOSE

Overlay

Mitigate

Interject

Declare

Promote

Explanation

The prefix "super-" usually means better or best but can also mean over or on top, so the word “superimpose” means to put something on top of something else. The closest answer choice to this is “overlay.” To provide further help, “interject” means interrupt; “mitigate” means lessen, alleviate; “declare” means announce, say formally; “promote” means support.

4

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

COMPOSITION

Structure

Equity

Ambush

Posture

Declaration

Explanation

The prefix "co-" means together, so it makes sense that “composition” means how something is put together, also known as its makeup or "structure." "Composition" can also mean the act of making something, but none of the answer choices matches this definition. “Declaration” means official announcement; “equity” means the trait of being fair and impartial; “ambush” means a surprise attack; and "posture" means the way in which one carries oneself and sits.

5

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

ENCAPSULATE

Include

Exclude

Organize

Medicine

Tablet

Explanation

To "encapsulate" something means to surround it or include it. Think of a capsule of medicine; the capsule surrounds or includes the medicine inside it. So, "include" is the correct answer.

6

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

DISINTERESTED

Unbiased

Partial

Meaningful

Boring

Humble

Explanation

"Disinterested" is an adjective that can mean either "not influenced by personal feelings, opinions, or concerns" or "having no desire to know about a particular thing : not interested." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not influenced by emotions" or "not interested." "Partial," then, cannot be the correct answer because "partial" means " favoring one side in a dispute above the other; biased," making it an antonym of "disinterested." "Unbiased," however, is an adjective that means "showing no prejudice for or against something; impartial," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "disinterested," "unbiased" is the correct answer.

7

A synonym of "unruly" is __________.

rowdy

well-behaved

beneficial

opinionated

low

Explanation

"Unruly" is an adjective that means "disorderly and disruptive and not amenable to discipline or control." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "disruptive." "Well-behaved" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "well-behaved" is an antonym of "disruptive." "Rowdy," however, is an adjective that means "noisy and disorderly," and because "rowdy" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "unruly," "rowdy" is the correct answer.

8

Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

BEDECK

Festoon

Puncture

Dispute

Inquire

Apprehend

Explanation

The prefix "be-" means to make, to do and “bedeck” means to decorate, to make something look festive. This is close in meaning to “festoon.” To provide further help, “puncture” means pierce; “dispute” means argue against; “inquire” means ask after; “apprehend” means catch or arrest.

9

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

ENCAPSULATE

Include

Exclude

Organize

Medicine

Tablet

Explanation

To "encapsulate" something means to surround it or include it. Think of a capsule of medicine; the capsule surrounds or includes the medicine inside it. So, "include" is the correct answer.

10

Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

SUPERIMPOSE

Overlay

Mitigate

Interject

Declare

Promote

Explanation

The prefix "super-" usually means better or best but can also mean over or on top, so the word “superimpose” means to put something on top of something else. The closest answer choice to this is “overlay.” To provide further help, “interject” means interrupt; “mitigate” means lessen, alleviate; “declare” means announce, say formally; “promote” means support.

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