ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

DEFLECT

Possible Answers:

Throw

Sidetrack

Listen

Shatter

Speak

Correct answer:

Sidetrack

Explanation:

The prefix "de-" in "deflect" means away from, and the "-flect" portion of the word means to bend, as it comes from the same roots as the word "flexible" (bendable). So, it makes sense that "deflect" can mean bend away from moving in a straight line, often because of having hit something. To “deflect” can also mean cause something to change direction, or tosidetrack.” 

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

SATISFY

Possible Answers:

Fulfill

Indicate

Explain

Account

Renounce

Correct answer:

Fulfill

Explanation:

The word "satisfy" comes from Latin roots that mean to make to be enough. The word "satis" in Latin means enough. The suffix "-fy" indicates to do or to make. (This too is from Latin roots, though they are more complex.) Thus, something is satisfying when it is fulfilling. We can sometimes say that food is "satisfying" or "satisfactory," but we might also say that an answer is satisfying or a concert performance is satisfactory. Thus, the correct answer is "fulfill." Something that satisfies fulfills the requirements for that things.

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin

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

COMPEL

Possible Answers:

Escape

Pressure

Fret

Judge

Proceed

Correct answer:

Pressure

Explanation:

The Latin suffix -pel means force, as in "repel" which means to force backwards. So, "compel" means force someone to do something, pressure someone. Additionally, "fret" means worry; "proceed" means continue; to "judge" means to make a decision on something based on evidence.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin

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

ASCEND

Possible Answers:

Climb

Fall

Leap

Reward

Punish

Correct answer:

Climb

Explanation:

The Latin suffix -scend means climb, up, go. So, to "ascend" means to climb upwards. Another example of a -scend word is "descend" which means to go down. Additionally, "leap" means to jump high or far

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

DISPUTE

Possible Answers:

Disavow

Disagree

Dismember

Disappoint

Displace

Correct answer:

Disagree

Explanation:

The Latin suffix -put means think, as in "compute," which means calculate, think about and figure out. So, "dispute" means to disagree, to not agree with what someone thinks. Additionally, "disavow" means renounce, deny; "displace" means either to cause to be moved from it's original position or to replace; "dismember" means take apart, particularly with regard to taking apart a living being. The prefix dis- has many different meanings, but it is generally a "negating" prefix. "Negating" means causing something to mean the opposite.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin

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

DISTORT

Possible Answers:

Increase

Decrease

Abandon

Alter

Confess

Correct answer:

Alter

Explanation:

The Latin suffix -tort means twist, bend, as in "contort," which means to twist one's body. So, "distort" means to twist out of shape, to change something so that it looks unnatural. The closest answer to this is "alter," which means change. Additionally, "confess" means admit to having done something wrong; "increase" means make larger and "decrease" means make smaller; "abandon" means leave behind

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin

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

PRESERVE

Possible Answers:

Supplant

Lend

Donate

Demand

Maintain

Correct answer:

Maintain

Explanation:

The Latin suffix -serv means to keep, to save. So, "preserve" means to save something for the future, to maintain something. To provide additional help, "donate" means give to, usually give to charity; "lend" means allow to borrow; "supplant" means replace.

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin

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

CONSTRUCT

Possible Answers:

Destroy

Plead

Lift

Build

Drive

Correct answer:

Build

Explanation:

The Latin root -struct- means build. So, to "construct" means to build. Another example of a -struct- word is "destruct," which means to destroy something that has been built. Additionally, "plead" means beg, urge

Example Question #19 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

PERSONIFY

Possible Answers:

Humanize

Aggressive

Elate

Customize

Symbolize

Correct answer:

Symbolize

Explanation:

Notice the little ending on the word "personify." The "-fy" suffix is part of a large family of suffixes and "infixes" (little parts that come inside of words) such as "-fication," "-fac-," and so forth. In general, "-fy" means to do or to make. To "personify" something is to make it a person. Okay, that is a bit strange. But what it means is that one thing makes another thing present in some way. It represents that other thing. Thus, if we say, "Peter personified the very essence of greed," this means that Peter made present the very essence of greed in his person. Thus, "symbolize" is an excellent option.

Example Question #20 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

EFFICIENT

Possible Answers:

Expensive

Renowned

Rapid

Swift

Productive

Correct answer:

Productive

Explanation:

We tend to think of efficient people as being quick at what they do. This is often the case, but the word "efficient" is above all about being able to get things done. It comes from the same Latin root from which we get the suffix "-fy" / "-fication" and several other related forms. All of these mean to do or make. Thus, it is best to use the word "efficient" to refer to someone who is "productive." If a project is just very slow-going, an efficient person may therefore move slowly through the work. However, so long as he or she does it in a productive manner, he or she deserves to be called "efficient."

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