Synonyms: Suffixes from Anglo-Saxon

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ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Suffixes from Anglo-Saxon

Questions 1 - 4
1

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

LOATHSOME

Hateful

Joyful

Sleazy

Senile

Brilliant

Explanation

"Loathsome" means deserving of hatred or repulsive, so "hateful" is the correct answer, as "hateful" can mean deserving hatred. To help you, "senile" means physically and/or mentally weakened with age, someone who is "sleazy" is gross and immoral, and "joyful" means very happy.

2

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

FORMLESS

Amorphous

Shapely

Gaseous

Inconsistent

Opaque

Explanation

Stay as close as possible to the original word, for there are many tempting wrong answers. When something is "formless," it has no definite shape. This certainly is the case for "gaseous" things (since they are "gas like"). Also, "inconsistent" speech is lacking the general form that speech should have. That is, it lacks proper consistency. The word "amorphous" literally means without form. The word "morph" means take on a new form or shape. The prefix "a-" means without, as in "atypical," meaning not typical or without features that are typical.

3

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

CHURLISH

Rude

Childish

Solid

Pampered

Argumentative

Explanation

"Churlish" means rude. The best choice is "rude" since it is a part of the definition of "churlish." Considering the other choices, "childish" means immature, "congealed" means changed into a solid state, and "fusty" means old-fashioned.

4

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

SELFLESS

Considerate

Appalling

Dominating

Accredited

Frank

Explanation

The suffix "-less" means lacking, so "selfless" means concerned with the needs of others and not selfish, making “considerate" the correct answer. “Appalling” means disgusting, horrendous, or dreadful; “dominating” means in control; “accredited” means officially recognized or given credit for; and “frank” means candid and honest.

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