ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Using Prefixes to Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
RELOCATE
Move
Assume
Crave
Create
Explain
The prefix "re-" means again or new and "locate" means find or position, so it makes sense that "relocate" means move to a new place. As for the other answer choices, "assume” means think you know something without evidence; “crave” means want; “create” means make; and "explain" means give reasons for an action or decision.
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BENEFIT
Advantage
Abhorrence
Caution
Patriotism
Jeopardy
The prefix bene- means good. As in, "benevolent" which means good-natured. So, "benefit" means something positive gained from something , an advantage. Additionally, "abhorrence" is hatred; "caution" is the quality of being overly careful; "patriotism" is the love of one's country; "jeopardy" is danger, trouble.
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TRIBUNAL
Committee
Occasion
Leverage
Empathy
Liability
The prefix tri- means three. As in, "triplets" which are three children born to the same mother at the same time. Solving this problem is a little tricky, however. A "tribunal" is a committee a group of people who are meeting up to resolve some problem. The word comes from Roman origins where committees of three people would commonly rule on legal decisions and other matters. So, if you need to remember "tribunal" think of a committee of three ancient Roman men. Additionally, "empathy" is the ability to feel the emotions of others; an "occasion" is a particular time or event; "leverage" is grip, the hold one has on something; "liability" is the state of being held responsible, the condition of being legally responsible if something bad happens.
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRESUMPTUOUS
Arrogant
Secretive
Hideous
Sordid
Dynamic
The prefix pre- means before. As in, "prevent" which means stop something before it happens. So, "presumptuous" means someone who acts before it is appropriate, bold, assertive and audacious, brash. The closest answer to this is "arrogant." Additionally, "dynamic" means forceful, energetic; "sordid" means involving immoral behavior, dirty, filthy; "secretive" means sneaky, trying to keep something secret; "hideous" means very ugly, disgusting and unattractive.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
THERMAL
Heat
Mass
Height
Speed
Velocity
The prefix therm- means hot, heat. As in "thermometer," which is something used to measure temperature. "Thermal" means related to heat, so the best answer choice here is of course "heat." Additionally, "mass" refers to the weight of something (in the science classroom the definition is a little more complicated, but for the purposes of practical vocabulary "mass" and "weight" are the same). Finally, "velocity" refers to speed.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AMBIGUOUS
Uncertain
Outlawed
Enormous
Sincere
Lame
The prefix ambi- means both. As in, "ambidextrous" which means equally capable of using both one's left and right hands. "Ambiguous" means uncertain, vague, not clear. It helps to think of it like this - "ambiguous" = believing both arguments or conclusions could be true. Additionally, "outlawed" means banned, made illegal; "lame" means boring, uncool; "sincere" means truthful, honest; "enormous" means very large.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PROTOTYPE
Model
Vehicle
Engine
Warning
Elementary
The prefix proto- means first. So, a "prototype" is an early or first model of something. Additionally, "elementary" means basic, not complicated.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CHRONICLE
Record
Amuse
Scatter
Reproduce
Rush
The prefix chron- means time. So, a "chronicle" is a record of events that have happened over time. Additionally, "amuse" means entertain, make laugh; "scatter" means spread out; "reproduce" means make another copy of or produce a child; "rush" means force something to happen too quickly.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DYNASTY
Lineage
Glee
Heroism
Keepsake
Ancestor
The prefix dyna- means power, force, energy. As in "dynamic" which means forceful, energetic, full of power. So, a "dynasty" is a line of rulers who inherit their position of power. This is closest in meaning to a "lineage" which means a line of succession. The British royal family is a "dynasty." Additionally, your "ancestors" are people who came before you in your family line; "glee" is delight, great joy; "heroism" is courage, bravery, the act of being a hero; a "keepsake" is a small item kept to remember someone else.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ANTONYM
Opposite
Antagonistic
Synonym
Verb
Noun
An "antonym" is a word that has a meaning that is the opposite of another word. (This makes sense, given that the word "antonym" is derived from the Greek prefix "anti," which can mean opposite of, and "-onym," which is from the Greek for name.) Therefore, the synonym for this word would be "opposite."Both words mean the same thing, although "antonym"is used specifically for defining the meanings of words. All the other answer choices are not related to the concept of opposites and are therefore incorrect.