ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Suffixes

Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

PESTICIDE

Possible Answers:

Insect tracker

Rat feeder

Insect feeder

Rat tracker

Insect killer

Correct answer:

Insect killer

Explanation:

The suffix "-cide" means related to killing and the prefix "pest-" means related to pests, such as insects or rats. In this instance, since there is no option for “rat killer” the correct answer is “insect killer.”

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Suffixes

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters.

ANGLOPHONE

Possible Answers:

Ill-equipped

Cell phone

Fishing trip

English-speaking

Good-humored

Correct answer:

English-speaking

Explanation:

An "anglophone" is someone who speaks English. The prefix anglo- always suggets at a relationship between the word and England, and the suffix -phone relates to language or speaking. To provide further help, "ill-equipped" means not prepared.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Greek

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

XENOPHOBIA

Possible Answers:

Sway

Prejudice

Careful

Rescind

Correct answer:

Prejudice

Explanation:

"Xenophobia" is unreasonable hatred of strangers or foreigners. The best choice is "prejudice" because it means unreasonable feelings, typically negative, towards a particular thing, person, or group. Considering the other choices, "rescind" means take back, "sway" means move back and forth, and "careful" means cautious.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Greek

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

GRAPHOLOGY

Possible Answers:

Study of statistics

Study of writing

Study of chemical reactions

Study of man

Study of language

Correct answer:

Study of writing

Explanation:

The prefix "graph-" means writing and the suffix "-ology" means study of, so “graphology” is the study of writing.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Greek

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

ARACHNOPHOBIA

Possible Answers:

Fear of spiders

Fear of babies

Fear of people

Fear of old age

Fear of animals

Correct answer:

Fear of spiders

Explanation:

The suffix "-phobia" means fear of and the prefix "arachno-" means related to spiders, so “arachnophobia” is a fear of spiders.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Greek

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

ANTHROPOLOGY

Possible Answers:

The study of ants

The study of rock formations

The study of mankind

The study of art 

The study of mammals 

Correct answer:

The study of mankind

Explanation:

The root "anthro-" or "andro­-" means having to do with man. Also, the suffix "-ology" means the study of (something), so we can assume correctly that “anthropology” is the study of mankind.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Greek

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

EGOMANIA

Possible Answers:

Self-loathing

Self-serving

Self-sacrifice

Self-interest

Self-obsession

Correct answer:

Self-obsession

Explanation:

The Latin root "ego" means self, and the suffix "-mania" means excessive or madness, so “egomania” is excessive love of oneself, or “self-obsession.” “Self-loathing” is hating oneself; “self-interest” is what one wants, without caring about how others feel; “self-serving” means having concern for one’s own prosperity and interests above others; and “self-sacrifice” is the opposite of “self-serving” and “self-interest"; it means placing other people's needs and desires above one's own.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

FORMLESS

Possible Answers:

Shapely

Amorphous

Inconsistent

Opaque

Gaseous

Correct answer:

Amorphous

Explanation:

Stay as close as possible to the original word, for there are many tempting wrong answers. When something is "formless," it has no definite shape. This certainly is the case for "gaseous" things (since they are "gas like"). Also, "inconsistent" speech is lacking the general form that speech should have. That is, it lacks proper consistency. The word "amorphous" literally means without form. The word "morph" means take on a new form or shape. The prefix "a-" means without, as in "atypical," meaning not typical or without features that are typical.

Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

LOATHSOME

Possible Answers:

Sleazy

Brilliant

Senile

Hateful

Joyful

Correct answer:

Hateful

Explanation:

"Loathsome" means deserving of hatred or repulsive, so "hateful" is the correct answer, as "hateful" can mean deserving hatred. To help you, "senile" means physically and/or mentally weakened with age, someone who is "sleazy" is gross and immoral, and "joyful" means very happy.

Example Question #25 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

CHURLISH

Possible Answers:

Rude

Argumentative

Pampered

Solid

Childish

Correct answer:

Rude

Explanation:

"Churlish" means rude. The best choice is "rude" since it is a part of the definition of "churlish." Considering the other choices, "childish" means immature, "congealed" means changed into a solid state, and "fusty" means old-fashioned.

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