ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #19 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

MICROSCOPIC

Possible Answers:

Gorgeous

Tiny

Immune

Massive

Susceptible

Correct answer:

Tiny

Explanation:

The Greek prefix micro- means very small, as in "microscope" which is a tool used to look at things that are very small. So, "microscopic" means tiny, very, very small. To provide additional help, "susceptible" means vulnerable, at risk; "immune" is an antonym of "susceptible" it means not vulnerable, cannot be affected by (usually a disease); "massive" means very large; "gorgeous" means beautiful, attractive.

Example Question #20 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

EGOTISTICAL

Possible Answers:

Selfless

Helpless

Hopeful

Selfish

Hopeless

Correct answer:

Selfish

Explanation:

The Greek prefix ego- means self. So, someone who is "egotistical" is self-centered, selfish. Additionally, "selfless" means not selfish, generous; "helpless" means not able to be helped.

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:

Solution

Medicine

Problem

Suggestion

Notion

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:

Confounding

Domineering

Obsolete

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 "Archaic" means old-fashioned and out of date, obsolete, no longer needed or used.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

Follower

Leader

Answer

Error

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:

Joy

Ecstasy

Sadness

Bliss

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:

Touch

Hearing

Taste

Sight

Smell

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:

Fatherhood

Sisterhood

Maternity

Motherhood

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

Compassion

Patriotism

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:

Belief

Race

Age

Class

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.

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