Synonyms: Prefixes from Latin - ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning

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Question

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

COMPOSITION

Answer

The prefix "co-" means together, so it makes sense that “composition” means how something is put together, also known as its makeup or "structure." "Composition" can also mean the act of making something, but none of the answer choices matches this definition. “Declaration” means official announcement; “equity” means the trait of being fair and impartial; “ambush” means a surprise attack; and "posture" means the way in which one carries oneself and sits.

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Question

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

MORTICIAN

Answer

The Latin root "mort_"_ means death, so a “mortician” is someone who assists with funeral preparations and helps process a burial, or an _“_undertaker." A “magnate” is a successful businessman; a “director” is someone in charge of an organization or someone in charge of making a movie; “author” means writer; and someone who is a “groundbreaker” is someone who does something for the first time, also known as an innovator.

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Question

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

REPLICATE

Answer

The word replicate has the prefix "re-," which is very useful for figuring out its meaning. This prefix often means again, as we use it in "repeat" and "recede." The portion "-plicate" actually means to fold. Thus, a replication is like a "re-folding" or a "folding back on oneself." Thus, a "replication" is a copy or a clone of something else.

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Question

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

CONGENIAL

Answer

"Congenial" and "congenital" are etymologically related but have quite different meanings. "Congenital" means present from birth (if you chose "inherited," you were likely thinking of this word). "Congenial" means agreeable and pleasant to be around. Both words combine the roots "com_-" (meaning together) and "-_gen" (meaning birth), but they take these root combinations in different directions—"congenital" more literally relating to inborn qualities, and "congenial" relating to the kind of relationship "kindred spirits" might have.

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Question

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

INUNDATE

Answer

To "inundate" means to flood, either literally with water or (more commonly) metaphorically with anything that happens to be "swamping" you. If you have a waterbed, you will be familiar with its "undulations" (movements in wavelike motions), which is a related word. You may have recognized the "in-" root, meaning "into," and chosen "enter." Though this is incorrect, don't beat yourself up over it—it's better to base a guess on one root than to guess randomly.

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Question

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

BELITTLE

Answer

"Belittle" means make a person seem or feel unimportant, so "criticize," which means point out the flaws in something or someone, is the best match. "Flatter" and "praise" are both opposites of "belittle."

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Question

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

BEHOOVE

Answer

"Behoove" means be necessary, fitting, or proper, so "suit," which when used as a verb means be suitable for, is the best match.

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Question

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

COMPILE

Answer

"Compile" means collect into a volume or a list, so "organize" would be the best choice here. "Disperse," meaning scatter, has the opposite meaning.

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Question

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

PRESCIENT

Answer

The word "prescient" means having knowledge of things before they happen. The best choice is "foreknowing," as it shares the same definition as "prescient." Considering the other choices, "do" means perform an act, "science" is knowledge gained from systematic study, and "sentient" means conscious.

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Question

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

MISNOMER

Answer

A "misnomer" is an inaccurate name. The best choice is "inaccurate name," as it is part of the definition of "misnomer_."_ This is fitting as a misnomer is a mistake in naming something. Considering the other options, "nominate" means suggest for an honor, "miss" means fail or fail to meet, and "snore" means breathe with harsh sounds while asleep.

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Question

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

MINUSCULE

Answer

Something that is "minuscule" is very small. Therefore, "small" is the correct answer.

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Question

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

RESOLVED

Answer

"Resolve" has several meanings, one of which is to decide. For example, one might write, "After getting sick from eating too many cookies, Brad resolved to never eat cookies again." So, since "resolved" means decided, "decided" is the correct answer.

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Question

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

UNWELCOME

Answer

If someone is "unwelcome," they are not wanted or not welcome. You can figure this out, because "un-" means not, so "unwelcome" means not welcome. So, "unwanted," which means not wanted, is the correct answer, because it is closest in meaning to "unwelcome."

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Question

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

ENCAPSULATE

Answer

To "encapsulate" something means to surround it or include it. Think of a capsule of medicine; the capsule surrounds or includes the medicine inside it. So, "include" is the correct answer.

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Question

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

ABDICATE

Answer

“Abdicate” means to give up the throne, to relinquish the throne. It can mean to relinquish any authority, but is most commonly linked to a King giving up power. The prefix ab- means to move away from, to give away, as seen in “abdicate” and “abstract,” which means away from the normal, not related to concrete objects. To provide further help, “abolish” means get rid of; “descend” means go down; “despair” means feel sad and hopeless, go down emotionally; an “atheist” is someone who does not believe in God.

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Question

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

SUBLIMINAL

Answer

The prefix sub- means beneath or under. “Subliminal” means occurring beneath the surface of your understanding; this is closest in definition to “unconscious.” “Conscious” means aware, so “unconscious” means an understanding you are not aware of. “Unconscious” can also mean passed-out. To provide further help, “posthumous” means occurring after death; “outlying” means remote; “remonstrate” means argue, protest; “comparable” means similar, able to be compared.

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Question

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

PRECURSORY

Answer

The prefix pre- means before, so the word “precursory” means occurring before other things, the starting point, or “initial.” To provide further help, “metropolitan” means relating to city life, diverse and multi-cultural; “covert” means sneaky or hidden; “cumbersome” means heavy or burdensome; “despicable” means evil or wicked.

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Question

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

EQUANIMITY

Answer

The prefix equa- means same as, equal to, even, so the word “equanimity” means having an evenness of mind, showing “composure.” “Composure” is a calmness in the face of difficulty. To provide further help, “inspiration” is something that makes you want to do something; “motivation” is the reason for doing something; “despondency” means hopelessness.

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Question

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

TRANSVERSE

Answer

The prefix trans- means across or travel. The word “transverse” means to travel across something in a slanting or diagonal manner. To provide further help, “parallel” means side-by-side; “perpendicular” means intersecting just once, opposite of parallel; “gradient” and “slope” are synonyms of one another and mathematical terms, both mean incline or angle of rising.

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Question

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

SUPERIMPOSE

Answer

The prefix "super-" usually means better or best but can also mean over or on top, so the word “superimpose” means to put something on top of something else. The closest answer choice to this is “overlay.” To provide further help, “interject” means interrupt; “mitigate” means lessen, alleviate; “declare” means announce, say formally; “promote” means support.

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