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

The word "terrain" is related to Latin roots meaning land or physical location. (For instance, think of the word "territory.") Now, the word "battlefield" might tempt you because we use the word "terrain" often when talking about warfare. Also, the word "mountain" is tempting, as it is a kind of terrain. However, the only word that simply means "land" is "ground". Think of when you say "the school's grounds." The word "ground" can refer in general to physical terrain. It is in this sense that it is an acceptable synonym.

The word "invigorating" really is made up of two parts. The first is the prefix "in-", which here has the obvious meaning of in or into. The second half of the word comes from roots meaning life or lively. Whenever someone or something is "vigorous", it is full of life. Thus, whenever we find something to be "invigorating", it puts life into us. This means that it energizes us and makes us feel alive. Thus, when someone goes skiing very quickly down a mountain slope, this experience can be very refreshing or invigorating.

The word "spectacular" comes from Latin roots that mean to look at. A "spectacle" is something that we watch because it is amazing. Also, we call glasses "spectacles" because we look through them. A "spectator" is someone who watches something. Therefore, when something is "spectacular," it is so amazing that it draws a lot of attention. Such a thing is not merely "interesting" or "important." It is "remarkable" and amazing. Hence, the best option is "remarkable."

The "grad-" part of "gradual" comes from the Latin for step or go; the English words "grade" (level of quality given to work being analyzed) and "gradation" (step or different level in a greater whole) also come from this same Latin word. It thus makes sense that “gradual” means s_tep-by-step_ or moving along slowly but consistently. This means that "slow" is the best answer choice. As for the other answer choices, "hurried" means happening quickly or rushed; “reckless” means not careful and potentially causing trouble due to lack of care; “wanton” means random; and “dynamic” means energetic and active.

The prefix "ab-" can mean away, so it makes sense that "abduct" means kidnap, as kidnapping someone can be thought of carrying them away without their permission. As for the other answer choices, “praise” means to say something nice about someone; “demonstrate” means show or, more specifically, show by doing; “exceed” means go beyond or do more than is necessary; and “accord” means agree or not argue.

The prefix "co-" means together, so it makes sense that a "collision" is a crash or impact. “Hint” means suggest something indirectly; “grasp” means grab onto; “assist” means help; “amend” means change, edit, or fix.

The Greek root "patr-" means relating to fathers or being a father, so it makes sense that "paternity" means fatherhood.

The "aud-" in "audience" derives from the same Latin roots as "audible" (able to be heard) and "audio" (recorded sound, often specifically the sound that often accompanies video). So, since "aud-" means having to do with hearing, it makes sense that an an “audience” is a group of people who are listening to and watching a show or reading a text-based work, making "listeners" the best answer choice. “Musicians” are people who play music and “performers” are people who perform in some sort of show or entertainment. So, an “audience” listens to the “musicians” or watches the “performers.”

The "fract-" part of "fracture" stems from the same roots as the words "fraction" (a portion of a whole) and "frangible" (breakable), so it makes sense that "fracture," when used as a verb, means break something hard. The word is often used to describe breaking a bone. "Break" is thus the answer choice closest in meaning to "fracture." As for the other answer choices, "include" means consider as part of a group; “bemoan” means complain about; “describe” means use words to share information about the characteristics of something or someone; “represent” means show using a visual or textual medium or stand in for.

The prefix "du-" means relating to two of something; it is found in words like "duet" (song for two singers or musical piece for two performers), "dual" (having two of something), and "duel" (a fight between two people in which specific rules are followed, often arranged because one competitor has somehow deeply insulted the other). Thus, it makes sense that "duo" means a pair. “Triplets” are sets of three of the same thing or three babies born at the same time to the same mother; a “trifecta” is a group of three great things working together; a “quartet” is a team of four.

The word "industry" describes a particular kind of business. Traditionally, the word described manufacturing processes and businesses. Thus, the "automotive industry" physically made cars, and the "steel industry" took raw material an changed it into steel; however, the word has come to be applied to almost any kind of particular work. The adjective "industrious" describes someone who is hard-working. You can see how this is related to the various kinds of work to which "industry" applies. The only option that describes this sort of hard working person is "diligent." Someone who is "diligent" is devoted and hard-working for a particular task.

To understand this word, it is helpful to consider a word like "grateful." We are grateful for things that are pleasing to us. To be "grateful" is to be thankful for such pleasing things. The adjective "gratifying" means something akin to able to make someone grateful or thankful. Another way to put this is "pleasing," which is the best option among those provided here.

The prefix or root word "port-" means related to moving or transporting, so a “porter” is another name for a _“_doorman.” For example, the person who collects your bags and holds the door for you at a hotel is considered a "porter." To provide further help, a “protector” is someone who defends someone else.

The Latin root "grat" means pleasing and is found in other English words like "gratitude" (thankfulness), "gratuity" (a tip given to a service worker to demonstrate your satisfaction as a customer) and "ingrate" (someone who is not thankful for something for which he or she should be thankful). The suffix "-ful" usually means full of (some emotion). Thus, it makes sense that “grateful” means pleased by and thankful for something. For example, if you had to move a lot of heavy furniture into a building that had no elevator, you would probably be very grateful if any of your friends offered to help you move.

"Flex" means bend and the suffix "-ible" means able to be, so "flexible" means able to bend or be bent easily, and "bendable" is the correct answer. “Rigid” is the opposite of “flexible"; it means strong, sturdy, and unable to have its shape changed easily; “stern” means very strict; “stable” means steady or unchanging; and "rough" means having a coarse and grating texture.

The suffix -spec means look so to "inspect" something is to look at it. "Love" is an emotion, and is not related on word level to "inspect." "Smile" and "laugh" are both things that you might do while inspecting something, but they're not actually related to the word in anything but an incidental way.

The prefix in- means not and the suffix -able means able to be. So, "incurable" means unable to be cured. This is closest in meaning to "deadly." Additionally, "probable" means likely; "edible" means able to be eaten; "envious" means jealous, wanting something that someone else has; "brainy" means clever.

The suffix -ator means person who does. As in "protestor," which means person who protests or "demonstrator," which means a person who demonstrates against. These two words are synonyms. So, an "agitator" is someone who agitates. To "agitate" means to disturb, to cause trouble. The correct answer is therefore "troublemaker." Additionally, a "moderator" is someone who oversees a debate; a "guardian" is a protector, someone who protects.

The prefix a- means not and the suffix -theist means God. So, an "atheist" is someone who does not believe in God. This is closest in meaning to "nonbeliever." Additionally, a "deity" is a God; an "agnostic" is someone who is unsure as to whether or not God exists; a "fanatic" is someone who follows something passionately; an "editor" is a person who edits and makes decisions regarding the content of things like newspapers and magazines.

The suffix -ify means to make into. So, "purify" means to make pure. This is closest in meaning to "clean." Additionally, "revere" means deeply respect and admire; "improve" means make better; "detract" means take away from.