Synonyms: Prefixes from Anglo-Saxon

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ISEE Upper Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Prefixes from Anglo-Saxon

Questions 1 - 2
1

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

OVERBEARING

Oppressive

Monotonous

Humiliating

Atrocious

Deleterious

Explanation

The prefix "over-" means above or superior, so it makes sense that “overbearing” means assuming superiority and acting oppressively and arrogantly towards others. This means that "oppressive" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “monotonous” means boring, uniform, and predictable; “humiliating” means debasing or embarrassing, “atrocious” means appalling, terrible, and disgusting; “deleterious” means harmful.

2

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

FOREBEAR

Ancestor

Descendent

Outlaw

Mosaic

Discord

Explanation

The prefix "fore-" means before, so it makes sense that "forebear" means progenitor or "ancestor." As for the other answers, “descendent” means someone who descends from a particular person or animal; an “outlaw” is a criminal; "discord” means disagreement or conflict; and a “mosaic” is a pattern or picture produced by arranging many small colorful pieces of glass in a ceramic base.

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