ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Prefixes from Greek
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HYPERBOLE
Overstatement
Disappointment
Understatement
Overwhelming
Underwhelming
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-_."
Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
MONOPOLY
Exclusive control
Hopeless
Inclusive
Anomalous
Suspicious
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.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MELANCHOLY
Sadness
Elation
Joy
Bliss
Ecstasy
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.
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
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.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EGOTISTICAL
Selfish
Selfless
Hopeful
Hopeless
Helpless
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.
Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
POLYGON
Many-sided shape
Form
Popular
Lost
Confused
The prefix "poly-" means many and the suffix "-gon" means related to a shape, so a “polygon” is a many-sided shape.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DILEMMA
Problem
Solution
Suggestion
Notion
Medicine
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.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
BIOLOGICAL
Alive
Math
Biology
Sleepy
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.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
APATHY
Indifference
Size
Excitement
Jubilance
Argument
"Apathy" means indifference or lack of interest, so "indifference" is the correct answer
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
HYPERBOLE
Exaggeration
Coax
Conduit
Hear
"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.