All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
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
Solution
Medicine
Suggestion
Problem
Notion
Problem
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
Recessive
Obsolete
Confounding
Domineering
Impressive
Obsolete
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 "Archaic" means old-fashioned and out of date, obsolete, no longer needed or used.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
Follower
Speaker
Leader
Error
Answer
Error
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
Joy
Elation
Ecstasy
Sadness
Bliss
Sadness
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
Hearing
Taste
Touch
Sight
Smell
Sight
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
Fatherhood
Brotherhood
Maternity
Sisterhood
Motherhood
Fatherhood
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
Hint
Quirk
Xenophobia
Compassion
Patriotism
Quirk
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
Gender
Belief
Class
Age
Race
Race
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
Timeless
Thankless
Bottomless
Helpless
Hopeless
Bottomless
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
Competition
Confrontation
Condescension
Conversation
Commiseration
Conversation
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.
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