Synonyms: Prefixes from Greek

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ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Prefixes from Greek

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

HYPERBOLE

Overstatement

Disappointment

Understatement

Overwhelming

Underwhelming

Explanation

The prefix "hyper_-" usually means super, excessive, or a lot of, so “hyperbole” is the literary device of dramatically overstating something. To provide further help, “overwhelming” means overpowering, too much, or extremely large, and “underwhelming” means too little or disappointing. Notice how the prefixes "hyper-" and "over-" are similar to one another, and opposites of the prefix "under-_."

2

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

MONOPOLY

Exclusive control

Hopeless

Inclusive

Anomalous

Suspicious

Explanation

The prefix "mono­-" means one. A “monopoly” is when one business has exclusive control over a product or market. To provide further help, “inclusive” means comprehensive, including everyone or everything; “anomalous” means irregular, unusual; “suspicious” means doubtful, deserving of distrust.

3

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

MELANCHOLY

Sadness

Elation

Joy

Bliss

Ecstasy

Explanation

The Greek prefix melan- means black, dark, so "melancholy" means a dark mood, sadness, depression, misery. Additionally, the other four answer choices all mean deep happiness.

4

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

APHASIA

Lack of language skills

Lack of people skills

Lack of mathematical reasoning

Lack of work ethic

Lack of education

Explanation

Someone who suffers from “aphasia” has a lack of language skills. The root word here is "phon," which refers to language; it has been changed over time into "pha-," but the meaning is unchanged. The prefix "a-" is a negation principle and gives the word it is added to the opposite meaning of the original word.

5

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

EGOTISTICAL

Selfish

Selfless

Hopeful

Hopeless

Helpless

Explanation

The Greek prefix ego- means self. So, someone who is "egotistical" is self-centered, selfish. Additionally, "selfless" means not selfish, generous; "helpless" means not able to be helped.

6

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

POLYGON

Many-sided shape

Form

Popular

Lost

Confused

Explanation

The prefix "poly-" means many and the suffix "-gon" means related to a shape, so a “polygon” is a many-sided shape.

7

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

DILEMMA

Problem

Solution

Suggestion

Notion

Medicine

Explanation

The Greek prefix di- means two. So, a "dilemma" is a problem with two possible solutions, a predicament, a quandary. To provide additional help, a "notion" is an idea or a feeling; a "suggestion" is an idea expressed to help someone with a problem.

8

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

BIOLOGICAL

Alive

Math

Biology

Sleepy

Explanation

The word "biological" refers to living things. The best choice is "alive" as it is a part of the definition of "biological." Considering the other choices, "math" refers to _mathematical operations, "_biology" is a branch of science concerned with living creatures, and "sleepy" means exhausted or tired.

9

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

APATHY

Indifference

Size

Excitement

Jubilance

Argument

Explanation

"Apathy" means indifference or lack of interest, so "indifference" is the correct answer

10

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

HYPERBOLE

Exaggeration

Coax

Conduit

Hear

Explanation

"Hyperbole" is exaggeration of something. The best choice is "exaggeration" because it is a part of the definition of "hyperbole." Considering the other choices, "coax" means urge, "conduit" means a pipe or tube for moving liquids from one location to another, and "hear" means listen to.

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