ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Prefixes from Greek

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Middle Level Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

DILEMMA

Possible Answers:

Problem

Suggestion

Medicine

Notion

Solution

Correct answer:

Problem

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

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

ARCHAIC

Possible Answers:

Obsolete

Domineering

Confounding

Impressive

Recessive

Correct answer:

Obsolete

Explanation:

The Greek prefix arch- can have two meanings. It either means chief as in "monarch" or ancient, old-fashioned as in "archaic." "Archaic" means old-fashioned and out of date, obsolete, no longer needed or used. To provide additional help, "impressive" means inspiring admiration, making people impressed; "domineering" means bossy, dominating, in-charge; "confounding" means confusing, bewildering; "recessive" means (of a gene) not dominant, hidden

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

MISNOMER

Possible Answers:

Speaker

Answer

Follower

Error

Leader

Correct answer:

Error

Explanation:

The Greek prefix mis- means wrong, bad, as in "mistake" which means error. A "misnomer" is an inaccurate name, an error in naming something. So, the best possible answer is "error." You might also notice the root word -nom- which often means name. So, simply a "misnomer" is a wrong name, an error in naming

Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

MELANCHOLY

Possible Answers:

Sadness

Ecstasy

Bliss

Joy

Elation

Correct answer:

Sadness

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

Example Question #25 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

OPTICAL

Possible Answers:

Taste

Sight

Smell

Touch

Hearing

Correct answer:

Sight

Explanation:

The Greek prefix opt- means eyes, sight, or related to sight. So, "optical" means of or relating to sight. The synonym here is not perfect, but sometimes you have to find the answer that is "closest" to the word in question. 

Example Question #26 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

PATERNITY

Possible Answers:

Maternity

Sisterhood

Motherhood

Fatherhood

Brotherhood

Correct answer:

Fatherhood

Explanation:

The Greek prefix pater- means father, so "paternity" means fatherhood. The Greek prefix mater- means mother, so "maternity" means motherhood. Another example of a pater- word is "patriarch" which refers to a man in charge of a group.

Example Question #27 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

IDIOSYNCRASY

Possible Answers:

Hint

Xenophobia

Patriotism

Compassion

Quirk

Correct answer:

Quirk

Explanation:

The Greek prefix idio- means unusual, weird, distinct, as in "idiot." So, an "idiosyncrasy" is an unusual personality trait, a quirk. Additionally, a "hint" is a clue; "patriotism" is love of one's country; "xenophobia" is fear of foreigners; "compassion" is warmth, generosity, and kindness

Example Question #28 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

ETHNICITY

Possible Answers:

Age

Class

Race

Belief

Gender

Correct answer:

Race

Explanation:

The Greek prefix ethno- means race, so an "ethnicity" is a race of people. Other examples of ethno- words include "ethnic" which means racial and "ethnology" the study of different races. It is worth noting that the suffix -ology means study of.

Example Question #29 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

ABYSS

Possible Answers:

Helpless

Bottomless

Thankless

Hopeless

Timeless

Correct answer:

Bottomless

Explanation:

The Greek prefix a- means without, so "abyss" means without a bottom, bottomless, a void, a chasm. To provide further help, "timeless" means not fixed in any era, always fashionable and appropriate; "thankless" refers to a task that no-one wants to do because it is little appreciated.

Example Question #30 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

DIALOGUE

Possible Answers:

Commiseration

Condescension

Confrontation

Conversation

Competition

Correct answer:

Conversation

Explanation:

The Greek prefix dia- means through, between, across, so "dialogue" means a conversation between two people. Another example of a dia- word is "diameter" which refers to a line that goes from one side of a circle to another, the passes across and through the circle. To provide additional help, "commiseration" is showing sympathy for someone's sadness, joining someone in sadness; "condescension" is talking down to someone in an arrogant way; a "confrontation" is a fight.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors