Synonyms: Using Prefixes to Identify Synonyms

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ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Using Prefixes to Identify Synonyms

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

RELOCATE

Move

Assume

Crave

Create

Explain

Explanation

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.

2

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

BENEFIT

Advantage

Abhorrence

Caution

Patriotism

Jeopardy

Explanation

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.

3

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

TRIBUNAL

Committee

Occasion

Leverage

Empathy

Liability

Explanation

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.

4

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

PRESUMPTUOUS

Arrogant

Secretive

Hideous

Sordid

Dynamic

Explanation

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.

5

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

THERMAL

Heat

Mass

Height

Speed

Velocity

Explanation

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.

6

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

AMBIGUOUS

Uncertain

Outlawed

Enormous

Sincere

Lame

Explanation

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.

7

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

PROTOTYPE

Model

Vehicle

Engine

Warning

Elementary

Explanation

The prefix proto- means first. So, a "prototype" is an early or first model of something. Additionally, "elementary" means basic, not complicated.

8

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

CHRONICLE

Record

Amuse

Scatter

Reproduce

Rush

Explanation

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.

9

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

DYNASTY

Lineage

Glee

Heroism

Keepsake

Ancestor

Explanation

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.

10

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

ANTONYM

Opposite

Antagonistic

Synonym

Verb

Noun

Explanation

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.

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