Synonyms: Suffixes from Latin

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ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Suffixes from Latin

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

SATISFY

Fulfill

Indicate

Renounce

Explain

Account

Explanation

The word "satisfy" comes from Latin roots that mean to make to be enough. The word "satis" in Latin means enough. The suffix "-fy" indicates to do or to make. (This too is from Latin roots, though they are more complex.) Thus, something is satisfying when it is fulfilling. We can sometimes say that food is "satisfying" or "satisfactory," but we might also say that an answer is satisfying or a concert performance is satisfactory. Thus, the correct answer is "fulfill." Something that satisfies fulfills the requirements for that things.

2

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

FORMULATE

Create

Calculate

Find

Understand

Express

Explanation

The answer choice closest in meaning to "formulate" is "create." For example, if you "formulate" a plan, it means that you create a plan.

3

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

CONSTRUCT

Build

Destroy

Plead

Drive

Lift

Explanation

The Latin root -struct- means build. So, to "construct" means to build. Another example of a -struct- word is "destruct," which means to destroy something that has been built. Additionally, "plead" means beg, urge.

4

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

LAUGHABLE

Ridiculous

Sensible

Bold

Whiny

Prickly

Explanation

“Laughable” is an adjective that means “so ridiculous as to be amusing,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “ludicrous.” That means that “sensible” cannot be the correct answer, because “sensible” means “having good sense,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “laughable.” “Ridiculous,” however, is an adjective that means “absurd,” and because “ridiculous” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “laughable,” “ridiculous” is the correct answer.

5

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

EFFICIENT

Productive

Rapid

Swift

Expensive

Renowned

Explanation

We tend to think of efficient people as being quick at what they do. This is often the case, but the word "efficient" is above all about being able to get things done. It comes from the same Latin root from which we get the suffix "-fy" / "-fication" and several other related forms. All of these mean to do or make. Thus, it is best to use the word "efficient" to refer to someone who is "productive." If a project is just very slow-going, an efficient person may therefore move slowly through the work. However, so long as he or she does it in a productive manner, he or she deserves to be called "efficient."

6

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

SEGREGATE

Keep apart

Keep awake

Keep from moving

Keep forever

Keep from winning

Explanation

The prefix "se-" means apart or away, so “segregate” means keep apart.

7

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

EQUITABLE

Fair

Ceremonial

Uneven

Fine

Fragile

Explanation

The prefix equi- means same or equal. A situation that is “equitable” is one that is the same for everyone, equal and fair. To provide further help, “fragile” means easily broken; “ceremonial” means done for reasons of tradition or ceremony.

8

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

PESTICIDE

Insect killer

Rat tracker

Rat feeder

Insect feeder

Insect tracker

Explanation

The suffix "-cide" means related to killing and the prefix "pest-" means related to pests, such as insects or rats. In this instance, since there is no option for “rat killer” the correct answer is “insect killer.”

9

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

PERSONIFY

Symbolize

Aggressive

Customize

Humanize

Elate

Explanation

Notice the little ending on the word "personify." The "-fy" suffix is part of a large family of suffixes and "infixes" (little parts that come inside of words) such as "-fication," "-fac-," and so forth. In general, "-fy" means to do or to make. To "personify" something is to make it a person. Okay, that is a bit strange. But what it means is that one thing makes another thing present in some way. It represents that other thing. Thus, if we say, "Peter personified the very essence of greed," this means that Peter made present the very essence of greed in his person. Thus, "symbolize" is an excellent option.

10

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

COMPEL

Pressure

Escape

Fret

Judge

Proceed

Explanation

The Latin suffix -pel means force, as in "repel" which means to force backwards. So, "compel" means force someone to do something, pressure someone. Additionally, "fret" means worry; "proceed" means continue; to "judge" means to make a decision on something based on evidence.

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