Verbal Aptitude-Workbook

Vocabulary Part A Context Clues/Root Words/Prefixes & Suffixes

A. Context Clues
Context Clues are clue words that writers leave to help us determine the meaning of new or
unfamiliar words. For example, in the below example

Eg:Deepa appeared to be a very moral and upstanding young lady, but those who
knew her knew that she was iniquitous.

What does the word iniquitous mean?

Its a new or unfamiliar word but the writer leaves us with a clue word but telling us
that the new word is opposite in meaning to the adjectives (moral and upstanding)
used to describe Deepa. So, the meaning of iniquitous is immoral.
There are various context clues, the one above is an antonym context clue. Likewise, we
have rewording, synonym, details, comparison, example, list of series, cause and effect and
description or inference context clues.
Complete the following sentences identifying clues in the sentence to help you guess the
meaning of new or unfamiliar words.
1. The professor was a favorite among the students at the college. His sagacity was
helpful to them as they pursued their degrees. The professor was known to use his
experience, insight, and common sense to help students pursue their education.
Using the example clue, the word sagacity in this sentence means
1) Silliness

2) thoughtlessness

3) wisdom

4) negligence

2. Famous conquistadors include Cortes, who conquered Aztec Mexico and Pizarro, who
conquered Inca Peru.
Using the example clue, the word conquistadors in this sentence means
1) geographers

2) losers

3) victims

4) conquerors

3. A sleuth, such as Sherlock Holmes, can be very helpful in solving crimes.

Using the example clue, the word sleuth in this sentence means
1) senior citizen

2) man

3) pilot

4) detective

4. Samson was a good at many sports. He excelled in swimming, running, horsemanship,

fencing, and target shooting. He decided to compete in the pentathlon rather than
having to choose one of the events.
Using the example clue, the word pentathlon in this sentence means
1) competition with two events

2) competition with eight events

3) competition with ten events

4) competition with five events

5. Manasa appeared infallible in math class because she had never gotten a problem
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wrong.
Using the explanation clue, the word infallible in this sentence means
1) never wrong

2) mistaken

3) wrong

4) incorrect

6. We could tell by the rotten smell, that something putrid was in our trash can.
Using the explanation clue, the word putrid in this sentence means
1) ample

2) alive

3) rotten

4) appealing

7. The insidious burglar was able to sneak into the house without being heard or seen.
Using the explanation clue, the word insidious in this sentence means
1) strong

2) loud

3) clumsy

4) sneaky

8. Vidhya was filled with mortification, or shame, because of her careless remark.
Using the synonym clue, the word mortification in this sentence means
1) proud

2) shame

3) confident

4) happy

9. The book of logic contained many conundrums - mind-exercising puzzles.

Using the synonym clue, the word conundrums in this sentence means
1) pictures

2) stories

3) answers

4) puzzles

10.There was crazy pandemonium as people were trying to leave the rock concert.
Using the synonym clue, the word pandemonium in this sentence means
1) silence

2) craziness or chaos

3) order

4) peace

11.His rancor, or hatred, of his brother has caused him to live his life as a lonely person.
Using the synonym clue, the word rancor in this sentence means
1) love

2) generous

3) tolerance

4) hatred

12.Although Veena was anxious about the test, Sona was not worried at all.
Using the antonym clue, the word anxious in this sentence means
1) forgetful

2) worried

3) calm

4) not worried

13.Two new girls started school this week. Banu has a gregarious personality. Aruna is
rather quiet.
Using the antonym clue, the word gregarious in this sentence means
1) shy

2) bashful

3) timid

4) outgoing

14.While Latha was careful not to be seen as she peeked out the window, Pratap was not
as cautious and was seen!
Using the antonym clue, the word cautious in this sentence means
1) careful

2) not careful

3) risky

4) trouble

15.Although Meena was willing to play in the snow, Das was reluctant because he was so
cold.

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Using the antonym clue, the word reluctant in this sentence means
1) ready

2) willing

3) not willing

4) excited

16.The girls languidly put on their jackets as if they had no energy at all.
Using the comparison clue, the word languidly in this sentence means
1) energetically

2) quickly

3) energy-less

4) actively

17.The mother was determined to prove her son's innocence; the father was resolute as
well.
Using the comparison clue, the word resolute in this sentence means
1) wavering

2) determined

3) not determined

4) unsure

18.Some people feel perplexed by brain teasers, while others figure them out quickly.
Using the comparison clue, the word perplexed in this sentence means
1) troubled or confused

2) at ease

3) calm

4) relaxed

19.The unsubstantial story was as if she were retelling a dream.

Using the comparison clue, the word unsubstantial in this sentence means
1) realistic

2) true

3) unreal

4) solid

20.John was besotted in not checking the depth of the water before he jumped in, but it
was a good thing that his father was wise and checked it first.
Using the contrast clue, the word besotted in this sentence means
1) decent

2) unaware

3) foolish

4) incomplete

21.Bharath made a cursory effort to finish his homework. This was unlike him; usually he
worked hard to finish before dinner.
Using the contrast clue, the word cursory in this sentence means
1) insincere

2) genuine

3) valid

4) actual

22.After being ill and unable to eat for three days, Beverly had a voracious appetite.
Using the contrast clue, the word voracious in this sentence means
1) satisfied

2) quenched

3) small

4) big

23.We were all pretty apathetic in the movie about animals, but we became interested
when it started showing all the tricks dogs could do.
Using the contrast clue, the word apathetic in this sentence means
1) gracious

2) angry

3) uninterested

4) sleepy

24.Madhu sauntered over to our table while Rakesh hurried over.

In this sentence, the word sauntered means
1) walked in a slow, easy way

2) hurried

3) beat rapidly

4) ran

25.We should be careful not to ostracize those who are different from us. It is much
better for all if we are welcoming to everyone.

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In this sentence, the word ostracize means

1) embrace

2) exclude

3) welcome

4) include

26.The twins were both crying at the same time so Mom tried to soothe one while Dad
tried to mollify the other.
In this sentence, the word mollify means
1) soothe

2) make sad

3) worry

4) upset

27.The sight of the ominous clouds told us that clear weather was far from our area.
In this sentence, the word ominous means
1) stormy or dark

2) clear

3) fluffy

4) bright

28.An evanescent ring surrounded the moon as it rose. It was there for a moment, and
then it disappeared.
In this sentence, the word evanescent means
1) full

2) bright

3) brief

4) ongoing

29.Matthew has such a kind disposition that he always helps people.

In this sentence, the word disposition means
1) doctor

2) attitude or way

3) enemy

4) show-off

30.Anu is a blithe young girl. She always greets everyone with a smile.
In this sentence, the word blithe means
1) cheery

2) angry

3) sad

4) unhappy

Answers
1-3
11 - 4
21 - 1

2-4
12 - 2
22 - 4

3-4
13 - 4
23 - 3

4-4
14 - 1
24 - 1

5-1
15 - 3
25 - 2

6-3
16 - 3
26 - 1

7-4
17 - 2
27 - 1

8-2
18 - 1
28 - 3

9-4
19 - 3
29 - 2

10 - 2
20 - 3
30 - 1

B. Root Words
Root word is the base word or the smallest unit which cannot be broken any further. They
are derived from Greek and Latin and help us understand the meaning of words. In other
words, if you remove the prefix and the suffix of a word, the remaining base word is the root
word.
For ex: Perceive , if you remove the prefix per, the base word 'ceive' is a Latin root which
means 'take' - and perceive means to take notice of something.
Another example, Dominate, if you remove the suffix 'ate' the base word domin is a Latin
root word which means ' master' and dominate means to be the master of; control, govern
or rule by superior authority or power.

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Choose the word/ group of words which is most similar in meaning to the given
word/ group of words.
1. HUMBLE
1) rich

2) waste

3) meek

4) modest

5) low

2. REVERENCE
1) respect

2) detail

3) astonishment

4) hope

5) remembrance

3. RECEIVED
1) obtained

2) welcomed

3) collected

4) found

5) got

4. Plenitude
1) Prosperity

2) Ecstasy

3) Abundance

4) Scarcity

5. Preposterous
1) believable

2) cunning

3) understandable

4) absurd

5) accurate

6. Efface
1) Wipe out

2) Weaken

3) Insult

4) Repair

7. ERRAND
1) Foolishness

2) Mission

3) Misadventure

4) Error

Choose the word/group of words which is most opposite in meaning to the given
word/group of words.
8. Insipid
1) Colourless

2) dull

3) tasty

4) weaken

9. Incoherent
1) Disorganized

2) unequal

3) detached

4) intelligible

10.RELUCTANT
1) True

2) clever

3) averse

4) hesitant

5) keen

11.COMPLIED
1) Accepted

2) agreed

3) declined

4) decided

5) disobeyed

12.CONCEDED
1) Realized

2) gave up

3) resisted

4) relaxed

5) surrendered

13.PAUCITY
1) Surplus

2) Scarcity

3) Presence

4) Richness

14.JUDICIOUS
1) Unequal

2) prudent

3) Impure

4) Indiscreet

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Answers
1-4
11 - 3

2-1
12 - 3

3-2
13 - 1

4-3
14 - 4

5-4

6-1

7-2

8-3

9-4

10 - 5

C. Prefixes and Suffixes

Prefixes and suffixes are sets of letters that are added to the beginning or end of another
word. They are not words in their own right and cannot stand on their own in a sentence.
For example, the word unhappy consists of the prefix un ,which means not combined
with the root word happy, the word unhappy means not happy.
The word flavorless consists of the root word flavor, combines with the suffix - less, which
means without. The word flavorless means having no flavor.
A short list of Prefixes and Suffixes
PREFIX

MEANING

EXAMPLES

de-

from, down, away reverse, opposite

decode, decrease

dis-

not, opposite, reverse, away

disagree, disappear

ex-

out of, away from, lacking, former

exhale, explosion

il-

not

illegal, illogical

im-

not, without

impossible, improper

in-

not, without

inaction, invisible

mis-

bad, wrong

mislead, misplace

non-

not

nonfiction, nonsense

pre-

before

prefix, prehistory

pro-

for, forward, before

proactive, profess, program

re-

again, back

react, reappear

un-

against, not, opposite

undo, unequal, unusual

SUFFIX

MEANING

EXAMPLES

-able

able to, having the quality of

comfortable, portable

-al

relating to

annual, comical

-er

comparative

bigger, stronger

-est

superlative

strongest, tiniest

-ful

full of

beautiful, grateful

-ible

forming an adjective

reversible, terrible

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-ily

forming an adverb

eerily, happily, lazily

-ing

denoting an action, a material, or a gerund

acting, showing

-less

without, not affected by

friendless, tireless

-ly

forming an adjective

clearly, hourly

-ness

denoting a state or condition

kindness, wilderness

-y

full of, denoting a condition, or a diminutive

glory, messy, victory,

Put the word in brackets into the correct form. You will have to use prefixes and/or suffixes.
1. He was sitting __________________ in his seat on the train. (comfort)
2. There was a __________________ light coming from the window. (green)
3. He was acting in a very __________________ way. (child)
4. This word is very difficult to spell, and even worse is its __________________.
(pronounce)
5. He's lost his book again. I don't know where he has __________________ it this
time. (place)
6. You shouldn't have done that! It was very __________________ of you. (think)
7. He didn't pass his exam. He was __________________ for the second time. (succeed)
8. Some of the shanty towns are dreadfully __________________ . (crowd)
9. The team that he supported were able to win the__________________ . (champion)
10. There is a very high __________________ that they will be late. (likely)
11. I couldn't find any __________________ in his theory. (weak)
12. He wants to be a __________________ when he grows up. (mathematics)
13. You need to be a highly trained __________________ to understand this report.
(economy)

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14. There were only a __________________ of people at the match. (hand)

15. She arrived late at work because she had__________________ . (sleep)
16. The road was too narrow, so they had to __________________ it. (wide)
17. He was accused of __________________ documents. (false)
18. They had to __________________ the lion before they could catch it. (tranquil)
19. He needed to __________________ the temperature. (regular)
20. I think that you should __________________ . It may not be the best thing to do.
(consider)
21. There was a three-hour __________________ because of the strike. (stop)
22. You need a _______________of motivation, organization and revision to learn
English.(combine)
23. I try not to go to the supermarket at 5pm because it's __________________.
(practice)
24. It is very __________________ to run air-conditioning with the door open.
(economy)
25. His __________________ has been expected for the last half an hour. (arrive)
26. She looked at her __________________ in the mirror. (reflect)
27. I told him my plan but he wasn't very __________________ . (receive)
28. She had no __________________ of going to see him. (intend)
29. He spent half an hour __________________ himself with the building. (familiar)
30. Failing her driving test was a great __________________ to her. (appoint)
31. He decided to study __________________ at university. (journal)
32. The film was __________________ good. (surprise)
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33. There was the need for __________________ construction when the fighting
stopped. (war)
34. I don't like him at all. He's so __________________ . (satisfy)
35. The company has over 500 __________________ . ( employ)
36. The new manager was very efficient and __________________ . (business)
37. It really isn't mine. I think that you are __________________ . (take)
38. The rate of __________________ in Brazil has been rising steadily. (employ)
39. With the real plan, the rate of __________________ in Brazil has fallen. (inflate)
40. She looked at him __________________ , and started to cry. (happy)
41. The party was __________________ , everything went wrong. (disaster)
42. The film was so __________________ that we left before the end. (bore)
43. The film was terrible, I felt really __________________ . (bore)
44. I think that there has been a __________________ , I didn't order this.
(understand)
45. The bacteria are so small that you need a __________________ to see them.
(scope)
46. Have you seen that new __________________ ? He's very funny. (comedy)
47. The event was totally __________________ . It was terrible. (organize)
48. I arrived late for work because I had __________________ . (sleep)
49. There is a small __________________ explaining the new traffic code. (book)
50. He was __________________ . He wouldn't change his mind. (compromise)
Answers
1. Comfortably
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2. greenish
3. childish
4. pronunciation
5. misplaced
6. unthinkable
7. unsuccessful
8. crowded
9. championship
10.likelihood
11.weakness
12.mathematician
13.economist
14.handful
15.overslept
16.widen
17.faulty
18.tranquilize
19.regularize
20.reconsider
21.stoppage
22.combination
23.impractical
24.economical
25.arrival
26.reflection
27.receptive
28.intention
29.familiarizing
30.disappointment
31.journalism
32.surprisingly
33.warring
34.dissatisfied
35.employees
36.business-like

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37.mistaken
38.employment
39.inflation
40.happily
41.disastrous
42.boring
43.bored
44.misunderstanding
45.microscope
46.comedian
47.disorganized
48.overslept
49.booklet
50.uncompromising

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