Synonyms: Using Suffixes to Identify Synonyms

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

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

WORTHLESS

Unimportant

Homely

Inexpensive

Abrupt

Materialistic

Explanation

The suffix -less means without. As in, "hopeless" which means without hope. So, "worthless" means without worth. Which is closest in definition to "unimportant." Other synonyms include "insignificant" and "useless." Additionally, "inexpensive" means not expensive; "homely" means unattractive, plain in appearance; "abrupt" means happening suddenly and unexpectedly; "materialistic" means overly worried about image, money and looks. Based on these words what do you think the prefixes un- and in- mean?

2

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

ATHEIST

Nonbeliever

Agnostic

Fanatic

Editor

Deity

Explanation

The prefix a- means not and the suffix -theist means God. So, an "atheist" is someone who does not believe in God. This is closest in meaning to "nonbeliever." Additionally, a "deity" is a God; an "agnostic" is someone who is unsure as to whether or not God exists; a "fanatic" is someone who follows something passionately; an "editor" is a person who edits and makes decisions regarding the content of things like newspapers and magazines.

3

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

INSPECT

Look

Love

Smile

Laugh

Argue

Explanation

The suffix -spec means look so to "inspect" something is to look at it. "Love" is an emotion, and is not related on word level to "inspect." "Smile" and "laugh" are both things that you might do while inspecting something, but they're not actually related to the word in anything but an incidental way.

4

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

HOMICIDE

Murder

Medicine

Legend

Villain

Person

Explanation

The suffix -cide means kill. As in, "suicide" which means to kill oneself. So, "homicide" is to kill another person, murder. Additionally, a "villain" is the bad-guy in a story; "medicine" is what is used to treat diseases; a "legend" is a traditional story passed down over generations.

5

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

TRANSMIT

Communicate

Elevate

Domesticate

Aggregate

Replicate

Explanation

The prefix trans- means across, through and the suffix -mit means send. So, to "transmit" something means to send an idea from one person to another, to relay information, to communicate. Additionally, "replicate" means copy; "elevate" means raise to a higher level; "domesticate" means tame, make a wild animal into a pet; "aggregate" means a whole formed from the sum of multiple parts.

6

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

STERILIZE

Clean

Dirty

Improve

Report

Surround

Explanation

The suffix -ize means to make into, to change. So, "sterilize" means to make sterile. "Sterile" means free from disease and dirt. This is closest in meaning to "clean." So, "sterilize" means to make something clean. Additionally, "improve" means make better; "surround" means to be all around something.

7

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

GRATEFUL

Thankful

Wishful

Helpful

Sorrowful

Beneficial

Explanation

The Latin root "grat" means pleasing and is found in other English words like "gratitude" (thankfulness), "gratuity" (a tip given to a service worker to demonstrate your satisfaction as a customer) and "ingrate" (someone who is not thankful for something for which he or she should be thankful). The suffix "-ful" usually means full of (some emotion). Thus, it makes sense that “grateful” means pleased by and thankful for something. For example, if you had to move a lot of heavy furniture into a building that had no elevator, you would probably be very grateful if any of your friends offered to help you move.

8

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

INCURABLE

Deadly

Brainy

Envious

Probable

Edible

Explanation

The prefix in- means not and the suffix -able means able to be. So, "incurable" means unable to be cured. This is closest in meaning to "deadly." Additionally, "probable" means likely; "edible" means able to be eaten; "envious" means jealous, wanting something that someone else has; "brainy" means clever.

9

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

PERFORMANCE

Show

Tribe

Cast

Script

Voyage

Explanation

The suffix -ance means in the process of. As in "maintenance" which means in the process of being maintained, fixed, and renovated. So, a "performance" is the process of performing or a show. Additionally, a "tribe" is a small group of people who have a unique culture and identity; the "cast" are the actors in a performance; a "script" is the writing used for performances, like in television or a play; a "voyage" is a journey, a movement from one place to another.

10

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

AGITATOR

Troublemaker

Moderator

Guardian

Demonstrator

Protestor

Explanation

The suffix -ator means person who does. As in "protestor," which means person who protests or "demonstrator," which means a person who demonstrates against. These two words are synonyms. So, an "agitator" is someone who agitates. To "agitate" means to disturb, to cause trouble. The correct answer is therefore "troublemaker." Additionally, a "moderator" is someone who oversees a debate; a "guardian" is a protector, someone who protects.

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