Synonyms: Suffixes

Help Questions

ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Suffixes

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

SATISFY

Fulfill

Indicate

Renounce

Explain

Account

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.

2

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

SATISFY

Fulfill

Indicate

Renounce

Explain

Account

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.

3

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

XENOPHOBIA

Prejudice

Rescind

Sway

Careful

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.

4

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

XENOPHOBIA

Prejudice

Rescind

Sway

Careful

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.

5

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

FORMULATE

Create

Calculate

Find

Understand

Express

Explanation

The answer choice closest in meaning to "formulate" is "create." For example, if you "formulate" a plan, it means that you create a plan.

6

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

FORMULATE

Create

Calculate

Find

Understand

Express

Explanation

The answer choice closest in meaning to "formulate" is "create." For example, if you "formulate" a plan, it means that you create a plan.

7

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

CONSTRUCT

Build

Destroy

Plead

Drive

Lift

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.

8

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

CONSTRUCT

Build

Destroy

Plead

Drive

Lift

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.

9

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

ANTHROPOLOGY

The study of mankind

The study of art

The study of mammals

The study of rock formations

The study of ants

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.

10

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

ANTHROPOLOGY

The study of mankind

The study of art

The study of mammals

The study of rock formations

The study of ants

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.

Page 1 of 7