Synonyms: Roots from Greek
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ISEE › Synonyms: Roots from Greek
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IDYLLIC
Peaceful
Perfect
Epic
Gregarious
Flawless
Explanation
When something is “idyllic,” it is peaceful or picturesque. The word indirectly comes from the Greek “eidos” meaning form, idea, or picture. Do not confuse “idyllic” with words related to “ideal” in the sense of meaning perfect or best. The best option is “peaceful,” which is most directly related to the definition of “idyllic.”
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
COSMOPOLITAN
Multicultural
Arrogant
Wealthy
Vain
Conceited
Explanation
When a person is “cosmopolitan,” he or she is at ease in any culture in the world. The word itself is derived from Greek roots with which you are likely familiar. The “cosmo-” portion comes from the Greek for “world or order.” The “-politan” is related to meanings like “city” and “citizen.” You have experienced this word in “politics” and “politician.” Someone who is “cosmopolitan” is “a citizen of the world.”
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HYDRATE
Drink
Sprint
Stumble
Amble
Vie
Explanation
The root "hydro" means having to do with water, so to “hydrate” is to “drink” water. “Sprint” means run quickly; “amble” means walk slowly; “stumble” means fall over; and “vie” means compete.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SOPHISTRY
Fallacy
Scholastic
Intellectual
Worldly
Cosmopolitan
Explanation
The word “sophistry” is related to the word for wisdom, Sophia, which is found in words like “sophisticated” and “philosophy,” but it is not here used in a positive sense whatsoever. Sophistry conveys the idea that someone is using reasoning in a manner that is not truly honest or correct in order to make misleading arguments. A “fallacy” in logic is a mistake (either intended or unintended) that causes the reasoning to end in an incorrect conclusion. Among the options provided, this is the only word that approaches the meaning of “sophistry.”
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MISANTHROPIC
Antisocial
Disinclined
Impassive
Eccentric
Heinous
Explanation
This word's component parts give you clues as to its meaning: "mis-" is a negative prefix, and "-anthropic" includes the root "anthro," derived from the Greek word for "man." “Misanthropic” thus means disliking people and doing everything possible to avoid people. This is closest in meaning to “antisocial,” which means not social and avoiding people. As for the other answer choices, “disinclined” means not inclined and thus not likely; “impassive” means not caring and not showing emotion; “eccentric” means weird and unconventional; “heinous” means wicked and evil.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EUPHONIOUS
Pleasant-sounding
Discordant
Harsh
Superfluous
Sensual
Explanation
The prefix "eu-" means good and "-phon-" means sound, so it makes sense that “euphonious” means sounding nice, mellow, and sweet, or "pleasant-sounding."As for the other answer choices, “harsh” means unpleasant, rough and grating; “discordant” means disagreeing or contradictory; “sensual” means relating to, or pleasing to, the senses; and “superfluous” means nonessential.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MIMIC
Repeat
Quell
Scribe
Juvenile
Larceny
Explanation
The best synonym is "repeat." Mimic comes from the Greek root "mim," which means to repeat or copy.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EGALITARIAN
Democratic
Academic
Oligarchical
Political
Divided
Explanation
The word "egalitarian" comes from roots meaning equal. When a society is egalitarian, it treats all of its members as equals and tries to acknowledge this. The best option among those provided here is "democratic." This does not have to do directly with the current American political party that goes by this name. Instead, "democratic" is based on a particular Greek notion of one kind of government that bases itself on the equality of all the people. None of the other options express this kind of egalitarianism.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
UTOPIAN
Visionary
Robotic
Bombastic
Frightening
Cynical
Explanation
The word “utopia” is used to describe a perfect place with no problems. For instance, someone might imagine a perfect city like Plato did in his Republic. This was perhaps a beautiful idea, but it was practically impossible. This practical impossibility is almost always part of a “utopia.” Someone who is “utopian” is idealistic and somewhat “visionary” in the sense of proposing large, ambitious plans. (Hence, the plans are a lot like a utopia.) Interestingly, the word “utopia” was coined by Thomas More, who wrote the text Utopia, describing just such a city. Its name was a play on words. The “u-” prefix means not. Thus a “utopia” is a “non-place.” It does not and cannot exist. However, the “eu-” prefix means good (as in “euphony” and “eulogy”). A utopia looks good, but it does not exist.
Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
HYDRATE
Drink
Sprint
Stumble
Amble
Vie
Explanation
The root "hydro" means having to do with water, so to “hydrate” is to “drink” water. “Sprint” means run quickly; “amble” means_walk slowly_; “stumble” means fall over; and “vie” means compete.