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

The prefix "co-" means together, so it makes sense that “composition” means how something is put together, also known as its makeup or "structure." "Composition" can also mean the act of making something, but none of the answer choices matches this definition. “Declaration” means official announcement; “equity” means the trait of being fair and impartial; “ambush” means a surprise attack; and "posture" means the way in which one carries oneself and sits.

The Latin root "mort_"_ means death, so a “mortician” is someone who assists with funeral preparations and helps process a burial, or an _“_undertaker." A “magnate” is a successful businessman; a “director” is someone in charge of an organization or someone in charge of making a movie; “author” means writer; and someone who is a “groundbreaker” is someone who does something for the first time, also known as an innovator.

The word replicate has the prefix "re-," which is very useful for figuring out its meaning. This prefix often means again, as we use it in "repeat" and "recede." The portion "-plicate" actually means to fold. Thus, a replication is like a "re-folding" or a "folding back on oneself." Thus, a "replication" is a copy or a clone of something else.

A "neophyte" is someone who is a beginner or a novice, so "novice" is the correct answer. To help you, an "expert" is someone who has a lot of knowledge and experience in a certain area; "expert" is an antonym of "neophyte" and "novice." For further help, "intermediate" means middle or of a difficulty between easy and challenging. Finally, "cathartic" means healing due to allowing one to purge one's negative emotions.

"Vivacious" is defined as animated and gay. This is similar to "lively."

Something that is of "benefit" is something that helps; an advantage. To provide further guidance, an "obstacle" is something that gets in the way, which is also the same thing as a "hindrance;" "barrage means" to attack continuously; a "garrison" is a group of troops left to defend something.

A "benediction" is a blessing, so "blessing" is the correct answer. To provide further help, a "euphemism" is a word or phrase used in place of a rude or offensive term, a "utopia" is an ideal paradise, whereas a "dystopia" is a world in which everything has gone wrong and the opposite of a "utopia."

The word "aqueous" means watery or pertaining to water. The best choice is "watery," as it is a part of the definition of "aqueous." Considering the other choices, "sedimentary" means having to do with sediment, "wispy" means light and delicate, and "suggested" means mentioned for consideration.

The prefix "agr_-_" means having to do with farming or the land, as seen in the word “agriculture.” The word “agrarian” means having to do with to the land or agriculture, so "of land" is the correct answer.

The prefix "metro­_-_" means related to the city or to city life. A “metropolis” is a big city. To provide further help, we call the towns just outside a big city “suburbs.”

The prefix "script-" refers to writing and is related to the suffix "scribe," such as in “inscribe” or “transcribe.” “Scripture” commonly refers to Biblical writings.

Something that is "luminous" is light and bright whereas "dark" is the exact opposite of "luminous." To be "enlivened" is to be awakened and to be "secretive" is to be hidden.

The prefix "tact-" means related to touch, so “tactile” means able to be touched. To provide further help, “audible” means able to be heard; “visible” means able to be seen. Notice that the suffix "-ible" means able to be.

The prefix "ten-" means able to be held or defended, so the word “tenable” describes an idea that is able to be held or defended. We could also call this a “reasonable” idea. To provide further help, “debunk” means disprove; “catastrophic” means disastrous; “ambiguous” means unclear; “sporadic” means random and occurring infrequently.

The suffix "able-" means able to be and the prefix "sal-" relates to selling or being sold; therefore, “salable” means able to be sold.

Something that is "eccentric" is bizarre or "irregular." The other answer choices are not as fitting and have different meanings from "eccentric" or peculiar. They are as follows: "occasional" means occurring sometimes; "sporadic" means taking place off and on; and "commonplace" means ordinary.

Something that is "primitive" is rudimentary and ancient, so "rudiementary" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, none are close in meaning to "primitive": "premier," when used as an adjective, means primary in importance; "pivotal" means crucial; and "contemporary" means modern or existing at the same time as.

"Congenial" and "congenital" are etymologically related but have quite different meanings. "Congenital" means present from birth (if you chose "inherited," you were likely thinking of this word). "Congenial" means agreeable and pleasant to be around. Both words combine the roots "com_-" (meaning together) and "-_gen" (meaning birth), but they take these root combinations in different directions—"congenital" more literally relating to inborn qualities, and "congenial" relating to the kind of relationship "kindred spirits" might have.

To "inundate" means to flood, either literally with water or (more commonly) metaphorically with anything that happens to be "swamping" you. If you have a waterbed, you will be familiar with its "undulations" (movements in wavelike motions), which is a related word. You may have recognized the "in-" root, meaning "into," and chosen "enter." Though this is incorrect, don't beat yourself up over it—it's better to base a guess on one root than to guess randomly.