Synonyms: Prefixes from Latin

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ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Prefixes from Latin

Questions 1 - 10
1

A synonym of "unruly" is __________.

rowdy

well-behaved

beneficial

opinionated

low

Explanation

"Unruly" is an adjective that means "disorderly and disruptive and not amenable to discipline or control." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "disruptive." "Well-behaved" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "well-behaved" is an antonym of "disruptive." "Rowdy," however, is an adjective that means "noisy and disorderly," and because "rowdy" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "unruly," "rowdy" is the correct answer.

2

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

ENCAPSULATE

Include

Exclude

Organize

Medicine

Tablet

Explanation

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.

3

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

MARINA

Harbor

Airport

Garage

Station

Highway

Explanation

The Latin prefix mar- means of or relating to the sea, as in "submarine," which means underwater boat. So, a "marina" is a place where ships are docked, a harbor. An "airport" fulfills roughly the same function as a marina, but for airplanes, not boats (airports are also, obviously, much more regulated environments). A "garage" fulfills a similar function, but for cars, not boats. A "station" fulfills the same function, but for trains. A "highway" is a road with a higher speed limits, intended for long-distance travel.

4

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

REGULATE

Control

Subtract

Repeat

Perform

Give

Explanation

The Latin prefix regu- means related to rules or law, as in "regime" which means government, a collection of rulers. So, to "regulate" means to enforce the rules, to control the actions of.

5

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

SUBSIDE

Slacken

Bury

Unearth

Conquer

Defeat

Explanation

Whenever something subsides, it lessens in its strength or force. The prefix "sub-" means "under." The "-side" portion of the word comes from the Latin root for "to sit." This same root is found in words like "sedentary" and "sedate." Something that "subsides" starts to "sit under"—not in a literal sense, of course! It just means that the thing in question lessens. The only option among those provided that expresses the idea of lessening is "slacken." When a rope slackens, it becomes less tight. The general idea of slackening is that of becoming less or looser. Hence, this is an acceptable synonym for "subside," at least among the options provided.

6

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

INTERSPERSED

Mixed

Planted

Fixated

Tenacious

Regular

Explanation

The prefix "inter-" should help you to figure out this word's meaning, even if you do not know it otherwise. This prefix means between. When you go to a theatre show, there is "intermission." This is the break that is between the main acts. This prefix should not be confused with "intra-," which means within. Now, "interspersed" means scattered between. When something is sparse, it is scattered. Thus, the "-spersed" portion of the word means scattered. When you intersperse something among other things, you mix it into them. Thus, the best option for this question is "mix."

7

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

COMPOSITION

Structure

Equity

Ambush

Posture

Declaration

Explanation

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.

8

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

DISINTERESTED

Unbiased

Partial

Meaningful

Boring

Humble

Explanation

"Disinterested" is an adjective that can mean either "not influenced by personal feelings, opinions, or concerns" or "having no desire to know about a particular thing : not interested." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not influenced by emotions" or "not interested." "Partial," then, cannot be the correct answer because "partial" means " favoring one side in a dispute above the other; biased," making it an antonym of "disinterested." "Unbiased," however, is an adjective that means "showing no prejudice for or against something; impartial," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "disinterested," "unbiased" is the correct answer.

9

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

SUPERIMPOSE

Overlay

Mitigate

Interject

Declare

Promote

Explanation

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.

10

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

SUBVERSIVE

Troublemaker

Illustrator

Manufacturer

Supporter

Mentor

Explanation

The prefix "sub-" means under and the "-versive" portion of "subversive" derives from the Latin meaning turn, so it makes sense that someone who is “subversive” is rebellious and makes trouble, wanting to "subvert" or overturn something. As for the other answer choices, a “manufacturer” is someone who makes something; an “illustrator” is someone who draws something; a "supporter" is someone who supports something, and a "mentor" is someone knowledgeable in a given area who helps someone else gain knowledge in that area by advising that person.

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