ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Roots from Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BENIGN
Harmless
Harmful
Helpful
Helpful
Horrific
The root "ben" means good, so it makes sense that "benign" means not harmful, not dangerous, or "harmless." As for the other answer choices, “harmful” means causing damage; “helpless” means unable to help oneself; “helpful” means kind and providing assistance; and “horrific” means shocking and terrible.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ACCESSIBLE
Reachable
Comfortable
Malleable
Hapless
Fortunate
The Latin root -cess- means go, yield, obtain. So "accessible" means able to be reached, able to be accessed, reachable. Another example of a -cess- word is "exceed" which means to go beyond. Additionally, "fortunate" means lucky; "hapless" means unfortunate, unlucky; "malleable" means flexible, changeable.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ALIENATE
Isolate
Invade
Forgive
Condemn
Arrive
The words "alien" and "alienate" come from Latin roots meaning other. Whenever something is "alien," it is foreign to us—it is something "other" in the sense of being different. The verb form "alienate" describes the process of making something appear to be foreign or other. Thus, the only option that is adequate for this question is "isolate." Whenever we "alienate" people, we isolate them from each other.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DERIDE
Mock
Kill
Detain
Discuss
Impair
The word "deride" comes from the Latin word for to laugh. Whenever we "ridicule" someone, we mock that person or "laugh at them." In a way, you can think of the expression "being a laughing stock." This means that someone is being ridiculed or derided. When we "deride" someone, we mock that person. Mockery is a mean way of "making fun of" someone. (Do you see that the word "deride" has a form similar to "ridicule"? Both words come from the Latin "ridere," meaning to laugh.)
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PATRIARCH
Father
Ancestor
Descendent
God
Predecessor
The word "patriarch" comes from the Latin word "pater," which means father. A "patriarchy" is a kind of society in which fathers (and males in general) have the most power. This is contrasted to a "matriarchy" in which mothers (and women in general) have power. ("Mater" is the Latin word for mother.) Now, "patriarch" could be any male ancestor. Thus, Jewish people refer to Abraham as being one of their patriarchs, for they see him as being a "father" to their people. It is also fine to refer to any father as a "patriarch." Indeed, even the word "father" can often be used to describe an important ancestor or figure who is not an immediate father. In this respect, think of the expression, "Founding fathers" often used to describe those men who played a key role in the founding of the American republic.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SOLITARY
Isolated
Famous
Important
Bright
Brilliant
The word "solitary" comes from the Latin root for alone—"solus." When someone has a "solo" in a concert, he or she plays or sings a part all by himself or herself. This should not be confused with "solar," which has to do with the sun. Now, when someone is isolated, he or she is also alone. The word "isolated" comes from the Latin for island, which is also found in words like "insular" and "insulation." Thus, the best option provided among those given here is the word "isolated." This is a primary meaning when we have expressions like "solitary confinement," meaning, "isolated imprisonment."
Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
TACTILE
Able to be touched
Able to be heard
Able to be tasted
Able to be seen
Able to be improved
The prefix "tact-" means related to touch, so “tactile” means able to be touched. To provide further help, “audible” means able to be heard; “visible” means able to be seen. Notice that the suffix "-ible" means able to be.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
STELLAR
Marvelous
Vivacious
Scientific
Telescopic
Physical
The word "stellar" comes from the Latin word "stella," meaning star. Thus, something that is called "stellar" is something that is as bright and rare as a star. This is meant to describe something that is marvelous, outstanding, or superlative. The word can also describe things in outer space—like stars. Thus, one would speak of "stellar phenomena," but none of the options pertain to that meaning. Do not be tempted by options like "scientific" and "telescopic."
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MALICE
Malevolence
Benevolence
Magnificence
Benefit
Magnanimity
The Latin root "mal-" means bad and appears in English words like "malcontent" (someone who instigates trouble due to not being content with the current state of things); "malady" (sickness), and "maladroit" (not adroit, therefore clumsy and uncoordinated). Because of this, it makes sense that "malice" means ill-will or spite, making "malevolence" the correct answer, as "malevolence" means vindictive, evil, or hostile. The opposite of “malevolence” is “benevolence,” which means wishing or doing good things for others. (The prefix "ben-" means good.) “Magnificence” means greatness; “magnanimity” means nobility, kindness and generosity; “benefit” means something or some aspect of something that is useful, good, and helpful.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INCOGNITO
Disguised
Revealed
Surmised
Despised
Redundant
The Latin root -cogn- means know, knowledge, as in "recognize" which means to notice or know someone. So, "incognito" means in disguise, dressed up so no one will know you. Additionally, "revealed" means displayed, shown after previously being hidden; "despised" means hated; "surmised" means guessed at, estimated at, determined is true without conclusive evidence; "redundant" means no longer useful because it has been replaced by something better.