Synonyms: Prefixes from Greek

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ISEE › Synonyms: Prefixes from Greek

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

HYPERBOLE

Overstatement

Disappointment

Understatement

Overwhelming

Underwhelming

Explanation

The prefix "hyper_-" usually means super, excessive, or a lot of, so “hyperbole” is the literary device of dramatically overstating something. To provide further help, “overwhelming” means overpowering, too much, or extremely large, and “underwhelming” means too little or disappointing. Notice how the prefixes "hyper-" and "over-" are similar to one another, and opposites of the prefix "under-_."

2

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

MONOPOLY

Exclusive control

Hopeless

Inclusive

Anomalous

Suspicious

Explanation

The prefix "mono­-" means one. A “monopoly” is when one business has exclusive control over a product or market. To provide further help, “inclusive” means comprehensive, including everyone or everything; “anomalous” means irregular, unusual; “suspicious” means doubtful, deserving of distrust.

3

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

MELANCHOLY

Sadness

Elation

Joy

Bliss

Ecstasy

Explanation

The Greek prefix melan- means black, dark, so "melancholy" means a dark mood, sadness, depression, misery. Additionally, the other four answer choices all mean deep happiness.

4

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

APHASIA

Lack of language skills

Lack of people skills

Lack of mathematical reasoning

Lack of work ethic

Lack of education

Explanation

Someone who suffers from “aphasia” has a lack of language skills. The root word here is "phon," which refers to language; it has been changed over time into "pha-," but the meaning is unchanged. The prefix "a-" is a negation principle and gives the word it is added to the opposite meaning of the original word.

5

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

ANTECEDENT

Precursor

Frontrunner

Outlier

Node

Lamentation

Explanation

To solve this synonym problem you need to rely on your knowledge of Greek prefixes. The prefix ante- means before, so an "antecedent" is something that comes before, also known as a "precursor." To provide further help, a "lamentation" is an expression of mourning; a "frontrunner" is a favorite in a competition; an "outlier" is unusual, outside of the normal reach of data; a "node" is a regional center of human activity.

6

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

HEMORRHAGE

Bleed

Weep

Mourn

Replicate

Expire

Explanation

The Greek prefix hemo- means blood. So, a "hemorrhage" is a bleed, to "hemorrhage" is to bleed profusely, to bleed a lot. Additionally, "weep" means cry about; "mourn" means express sorrow for the loss of; to "expire" means to run out, to stop being usable; "replicate" means copy, reproduce.

7

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

DILEMMA

Problem

Solution

Suggestion

Notion

Medicine

Explanation

The Greek prefix di- means two. So, a "dilemma" is a problem with two possible solutions, a predicament, a quandary. To provide additional help, a "notion" is an idea or a feeling; a "suggestion" is an idea expressed to help someone with a problem.

8

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

ICONOCLAST

Heretic

Nomad

Itinerant

Custodian

Trailblazer

Explanation

The Greek prefix icono- means image, as in "iconography" which refers to images used in works of art or traditional settings. So, an "iconoclast" is someone who attacks the image of a treasured institution, a critic, a heretic. Additionally, a "trailblazer" is a pioneer; a "nomad" is someone who wanders from place to place and does not live anywhere; an "itinerant" is a wanderer, a nomad; a "custodian" is a caretaker, someone who looks after something for someone else.

9

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

EUPHORIA

Happiness

Sadness

Excitement

Boredom

Loneliness

Explanation

The prefix eu- in Greek means good, fine. So the word "euphoria" means a state of feeling very good, deep happiness.

10

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

BIOLOGICAL

Alive

Math

Biology

Sleepy

Explanation

The word "biological" refers to living things. The best choice is "alive" as it is a part of the definition of "biological." Considering the other choices, "math" refers to _mathematical operations, "_biology" is a branch of science concerned with living creatures, and "sleepy" means exhausted or tired.

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