Synonyms: Roots from Latin - ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning

If you connected the adjective, "pacific," with the Pacific Ocean, you made a proper connection, though it probably didn't help you with the definition, as all of the options could describe that body of water. More helpful would be the related words "pacify" and "peace." These could lead you to connect the word "pacific" with its correct meaning of peaceful and calming.

The Latin root "duct" means to lead. You may, for example, have seen an "aqueduct," which literally "leads water" in a particular direction. Someone or something that is "ductile" is "able to be led," in the sense of being easily influenced or bendable. This is also the meaning of the word "pliant." "Rigid" is an antonym.

A "memento" is a souvenir or a reminder of past events, so "reminder" is the correct answer. To help you, a "catchphrase" is a repeated saying associated with an individual or a character, "rancorous" means unforgiving or angry, and "heretical" means dissenting from the popular or traditional opinion, unorthodox, or going against established religious ideas.

"Beneficial" means useful or helpful, so "helpful" is the correct answer. To help you, "deleterious" is a synonym of harmful, and both words are antonyms of "beneficial." To further help you, "sarcastic" means humorous, ironic and not serious, and "suspicious" means doubtful.

"Pacify" means make calm or bring peace to, so "calm" (here used as a verb) is the correct answer. To help you, "despise" means hate deeply, and "bewilder" and "confound" are synonyms which both mean confuse.

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.

The word "stellar" comes from the Latin word "stella," meaning star. Thus, something that is called "stellar" is something that is as bright and rare as a star. This is meant to describe something that is marvelous, outstanding, or superlative. The word can also describe things in outer space—like stars. Thus, one would speak of "stellar phenomena," but none of the options pertain to that meaning. Do not be tempted by options like "scientific" and "telescopic."