Word Parts and Roots - ISEE Upper Level Verbal Reasoning

  1. What does the prefix "mal-" most nearly mean in English words?
    Bad; poorly. Originating from Latin 'malus,' this prefix conveys negativity or poor quality in terms like malice and malfunction.
  2. Choose the best meaning of "malnutrition" using word parts: mal- + nutrition.
    Poor or inadequate nourishment. 'Mal-' implies deficiency, so when added to 'nutrition,' it denotes insufficient or harmful feeding.
  3. What does the prefix "post-" most nearly mean in English words?
    After. Derived from Latin 'post,' this prefix signifies something following in time or order, like postwar or postpone.
  4. Choose the best meaning of "benevolent" using word parts: bene- + -vol- + -ent.
    Kind; wishing to do good. Combining 'bene-' for good and '-vol-' from 'velle' meaning to wish, the word describes a charitable disposition.
  5. What does the prefix "anti-" most nearly mean in English words?
    Against; opposed to. From Greek 'anti,' this prefix indicates opposition or resistance in words such as antidote and antifreeze.
  6. What does the prefix "uni-" most nearly mean in English words?
    One; single. From Latin 'unus,' this prefix emphasizes singularity or unity in words like uniform and unicycle.
  7. What does the suffix "-phile" most nearly mean in English words?
    Lover of; attracted to. Stemming from Greek 'philos,' this suffix suggests affection or enthusiasm, as in bibliophile and anglophile.
  8. What does the root "cred" most nearly mean in English words?
    Believe; trust. From Latin 'credere,' this root conveys notions of faith or reliability, seen in credible and incredible.
  9. What does the prefix "circum-" most nearly mean in English words?
    Around. Derived from Latin 'circum,' this prefix denotes encircling or surrounding, seen in circumference and circumvent.
  10. What does the root "dict" most nearly mean in English words?
    Say; speak. Originating from Latin 'dicere,' this root involves verbal expression in terms like dictate and predict.
  11. What does the prefix "sub-" most nearly mean in English words?
    Under; below. From Latin 'sub,' this prefix implies a position beneath or lesser degree, as in submarine or substandard.
  12. What does the prefix "inter-" most nearly mean in English words?
    Between; among. Originating from Latin 'inter,' this prefix suggests interaction or placement amid multiple elements, like interstate or interact.
  13. What does the prefix "tri-" most nearly mean in English words?
    Three. Stemming from Latin 'tres,' this prefix signifies the number three in terms like triangle and tricycle.
  14. What does the suffix "-ology" most nearly mean in English words?
    Study of; science of. From Greek 'logos,' this suffix denotes systematic study or knowledge, as in biology and psychology.
  15. Choose the best meaning of "circumspect" using word parts: circum- + -spect-.
    Cautious; considering all sides. 'Circum-' means around and '-spect-' from 'specere' to look, together suggesting careful observation from all angles.
  16. What does the suffix "-phobia" most nearly mean in English words?
    Fear of; aversion to. Originating from Greek 'phobos,' this suffix indicates intense fear or dread, seen in claustrophobia and hydrophobia.
  17. What does the prefix "pre-" most nearly mean in English words?
    Before. Stemming from Latin 'prae,' this prefix denotes something occurring prior in time, as in preview or preheat.
  18. What does the root "vid" or "vis" most nearly mean in English words?
    See. Stemming from Latin 'videre,' these roots relate to sight or perception in words such as video and visible.
  19. What does the root "chron" most nearly mean in English words?
    Time. From Greek 'khronos,' this root relates to temporal concepts in words such as chronology and synchronize.
  20. What does the prefix "bene-" most nearly mean in English words?
    Good; well. Derived from Latin 'bene,' this prefix imparts a sense of positivity or well-being in words like benevolent and benefit.
  21. What does the prefix "trans-" most nearly mean in English words?
    Across; through. Stemming from Latin 'trans,' this prefix indicates movement from one side to another, as in transport or transform.
  22. Choose the best meaning of "incredulous" using word parts: in- + cred + -ulous.
    Unwilling or unable to believe. 'In-' negates 'cred' meaning believe, with '-ulous' forming an adjective for skepticism or disbelief.
  23. What does the prefix "bi-" most nearly mean in English words?
    Two; twice. Originating from Latin 'bis,' this prefix indicates duality or repetition, as in bicycle and biannual.
  24. What does the root "graph" most nearly mean in English words?
    Write; record; draw. Derived from Greek 'graphein,' this root pertains to inscription or representation, as in autograph and geography.
  25. What does the root "aud" most nearly mean in English words?
    Hear. Derived from Latin 'audire,' this root concerns auditory perception in terms like audience and audible.

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