Academic English for International Exams

Course Book

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For each word, first write out the suffix and consider its meaning, which will be harder to formulate than that of prefixes. Then, deduce the meaning of the word as a whole. Don't hesitate to check it up in a dictionary.

Word
Prefix
Word Meaning
1.
goodness
being good
2.
anxiety
nervousness
3.
brilliance
brightness
4.
despondence
sadness
5.
catharsis
purging
6.
effulgent
flowing
7.
hypothesis
guess
8.
resilient
elastic
9.
repellent
offensive
10.
officialdom
authoritative
11.
thrifty
frugal
12.
bibliomancy
Biblical books
13.
truculent
harsh
14.
brotherhood
friendship
15.
convalescence
recovering
16.
adamant
definite
17.
diligent
hard-working
18.
parity
equality
19.
disenchant
disillusion
20.
ambivalent
unsure

Match each word to its definition. Underline the suffix in each word to help you remember how they are used.

functionary
editor
taxidermist
comedian
arbitrator
pedestrian
theorist
adversary
sedentary
penmanship
philosopher, scholar person who sits person who edits mediator an official opponent handwriting person who stuffs animals person who walks humorist

Decide if the definition is true or false. Figure out what each word means.

1.
devilish – like a devil
2.
cuboid – like a cube
3.
puerile – mature
4.
saturnine – sluggish, gloomy
5.
fulsome – shortage
6.
sensory – pertaining to the senses
7.
Romanesque – like the Romans
8.
pastoral – wild, untamed
9.
ovoid – like an egg
10.
dollarwise – pertaining to money
11.
fictional – factual
12.
churlish – polite

Each of the following words has a suffix with its specific meaning. Select the correct meaning for each of the following words. Circle your choice.

1.
culinary

2.
insignificance

3.
palatial

4.
seditious

5.
intransigent

6.
erudite

7.
apothecary

8.
partisan

9.
preponderance

10.
mercenary

Match the word to its definition, considering the suffixes.

bursitis
discernment
nihilism
adolescence
expenditure
abandonment
heroism
inducement
intensify
signify
coliseum
obsolescent
fervid
sinusitis
atavism
eager to suggest surrender inflammation of the bursa (area between the bone and a tendon) open-air theater judgment reversion; throwback enhance expenses bravery teen years used up repudiation inflammation of sinuses motive

Circle the answer choice that has the same meaning as the underlined word.

1.
The murder scene can only be described as a carnage.

2.
The drunk's clownish actions embarrassed his family.

3.
The lawyer functioned as an intermediary between the warring couple.

4.
Some people think that acne is chromosomal.

5.
The new college president kicked off his appointment with a big convocation.

6.
The preacher had an annoying habit of proselytizing at inappropriate moments.

7.
Children hate to be castigated in front of their friends.

8.
There was no doubt who was culpable for the mistake.

9.
The florist placed flowers, moss, and stones in the terrarium.

10.
After treatment, the former alcoholic was happy to be abstinent.

Circle the answer choice that has the same meaning as the underlined word.

1.
A gun is a lethal weapon.

2.
A soothsayer can foresee events.

3.
In order to save a ship in a storm, in the old days the crew jettisoned the cargo.

4.
Constant wrangles over money disturbed the harmony of their marriage.

5.
Many civilians were maimed in the air raid.

6.
The beaver dam obstructed the flow of the river.

7.
Toxic waste disposal is a major concern at a nuclear power plant.

8.
The neighbors' swimming pool infringed upon my property.

9.
Following the fiasco at the nuclear plant, the public protested its reopening.

10.
The negotiations reached an impasse because the union representatives walked out of the meeting.

11.
The Red Cross arrived at the disaster area within 24 hours.

12.
The earthquake caused great devastation in California.

13.
Nestor's sage suggestions saved the Greeks from calamity.

14.
Proponents of conservation oppose the new laws.

15.
The President's former supporters have repudiated his current economic plan.