Synonyms: Roots from Latin - ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning

Since "vocation" is a noun that means job or profession we're looking for another noun that also means job. "Task" sounds like it might be the correct answer, but a "task" is a job in the sense of a piece of work to be done, it is not a day-to-day job or profession. "Occupation," on the other hand, means a job or profession, so it is the correct answer.

A "benefactor" is defined as "a person who gives money or other help to a person or cause," so we need to pick out an answer choice that is a noun, refers to a person, and specifically means "a person who gives help to a cause." "Donor," a noun meaning "a person who donates something, especially money to a fund or charity," is the only answer choice that is similar in meaning to "benefactor," so "donor" is the correct answer.

"Verbose" means overly wordy, so "wordy" is the correct answer.

"Hospitable" means generous and friendly in entertaining guests, so "neighborly" would be the best match, as both words mean friendly.

"Hospitable" means receiving guests warmly and generously. The best choice is "friendly" because it means showing kindness and helpfulness. Someone who receives guests warmly and generously would be acting in a friendly manner toward those guests.

The word "benevolent" means kind and caring. The best choice is "compassionate" because it shares the same definition. Considering the other choices, "violent" means acting with uncontrolled, rough force, "loud" means great in volume, and "ruckus" means noisy commotion.

The word "placid" means calm and peaceful. For example, one might write, "You could see your reflection like a mirror image in the placid lake." So, "calm" is the correct answer.

"Credible" means believable or trustworthy. For example, a newspaper is credible if it has high reporting standards and rarely makes mistakes or reports inaccurate information. So, "trustworthy" is the correct answer.

The prefix "acri_-_" refers to bitterness, either a bitter sensation or a bitterness of personality. In this instance it is the latter usage that is relevant, as “acrimony” is a feeling of bitterness towards someone else. This is similar in meaning to “hostility,” or “rancor,” which means resentment. To provide further help, “influx" means arrival of a large group of things or people; a “monument” is a statue built to commemorate someone or some event; and “admonition” means caution or warning.

The prefix "ocu_-" refers to being able to see, or to the eyes. This is similar to the prefix "vis-_," which means to see. We can infer that “ocular” and “visual” are closely related to one another. To provide further help, “audio” means having to do with sound and hearing; “tactile” means able to be touched; “condemned” means considered guilty and awaiting punishment.

The prefix "nom_-_" means related to names, and “nomenclature” means a naming system. As such, it is most similar in meaning to “taxonomy,” which is another name for a system of naming and identifying things. To provide further help, a “discrepancy” is an inconsistency; a “pseudonym” is a fake name or a nickname; "fatigue" is exhaustion or extreme tiredness, and a "title" is the name by which a work of art or literature is known.

The root "aqua" refers to water, and the suffix "_-_duct" refers to something that carries something else, so an “aqueduct” is a pipe that carries drinking water from a source to a population center. Another word for something that carries things from one place to another is a “conduit.” To provide further help, "solubility" is how well a substance dissolves in water or another solute, a "transmission" is the transferral of something from one place to another; a "container" is something used to store or hold something else; and a "pool" is a small artificial body of water used for recreational swimming.

The Latin root "carn" means meat or body, so a “carnivore” is a meat-eater. A “herbivore” is an animal that eats plants (the root "herb" meaning plants); a “vegetarian” is a human that does not eat meat; and an “omnivore” is an animal that eats both plants and meats, the prefix "omni-" meaning all. "Voracious" means extremely hungry or fervent.

The Latin root "jud_"_ means law, so “judgment” is a ruling by a court of law. It can also refer to the ability to make good decisions or having good sense. “Nonsense” means speech or writing that makes no sense; “wit” is the ability to be funny by being clever; “resolve” is determination; and "honesty" is truthfulness.

The Latin root "fid" means faith or trust, and the Latin prefix "con-" means with, so it makes sense that to “confide” means to put trust in and to tell secrets to someone_._ The Latin prefix "mis_-_" means not, so it makes sense that “mistrust” means to suspect and not trust and that “misunderstand” means to not understand, or to understand incorrectly. “Reprimand” means to punish for a relatively small wrongdoing.

The Latin root "mal" means bad or not, so it makes sense that "malicious" means cruel and wanting to cause pain and suffering. "Nasty" is thus the correct answer, as the word can be used to mean mean-spirited and hurtful when describing people As for the other answer choices, “grateful” means thankful for things you have been given; “humorous” means funny; “serene” means quiet and peaceful; and "embarrassed" means slightly ashamed, especially due to something one's actions in front of other people.

"Liber-" derives from Latin roots meaning free, so it makes sense that with the "-ate" suffix added, which means to do or make, "liberate" means set free from some kind of oppression. This means that "free" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “enslave” means to make into a slave; “entrap” means capture; “rejoice” means celebrate or express happiness about something that happened; and “barter” means to trade one thing for another so as to conduct business without money.

The root "loq" means speak or talk and is found in other words like "loquacious" (talkative), "interlocutor" (someone with whom you have a conversation) and "elocution" (diction). Thus, it makes sense that someone who is "eloquent" is able to speak well and beautifully, making "well-spoken" the correct answer.

As for the other answer choices, “artistic” means creative and talented in making art; “nomadic” means wandering and not living permanently in one place; “incessant” means_unrelenting_; and “terminal” means final or concluding.

The English prefix "uni-" comes from Latin and means having to do with one of something. Given this, it makes sense that “unique” means one-of-a-kind or "original." “Unoriginal” means not original, because the prefix "un_-_" means not. “Mandatory” means necessary as opposed to optional; “prohibited” means not allowed due to some official rule; and "limited" means having a defined and set extent.

"Terra" is the Latin word for earth or land, so it makes sense that “terrain” means a type of land, like “rocky terrain” or “grassy terrain.” The “temperature” is how hot or cold it is; “weather” means the temporary and changeable atmospheric conditions involving precipitation, wind, and temperature.