42 VOCABULARY FOR TOEFL iBT
vocabulary skills as you can to determine meaning, including prefixes and
suffixes, word roots (covered in the next chapter), and context.
● Allow for exceptions. Although most words ending in -ist are nouns defin-
ing a kind of person (one who does), not every -ist word is only a noun. Elit-
ist is an example of an adjective with this ending. Check prefixes, word
roots, and context if possible to confirm meaning.
● Use your knowledge of prefixes and suffixes to eliminate incorrect answers.
The more you narrow down your choices, the better your chances of choos-
ing the correct answer.
● Once you have narrowed down your answer choices, determine the part of
speech of each remaining choice. Does it match the part of speech of the
definition according to the suffix?
● If you know the prefix or suffix but still aren’t sure of a word’s meaning, try
to recall another word with a similar root. Plug in that meaning with the
prefix or suffix and see if it makes sense.PRACTICE QUESTIONSDirections: Choose the best answer to each question using your knowledge of pre-
fixes and suffixes. Circle your choices or write your answers on a separate piece of
paper. Then compare your selections to the correct answers at the end of the chapter.1. Antecedent means
a. fighting against.
b. looking after.
c. coming before.
d. under the authority of.
2. Multifaceted means
a. two-faced.
b. many sided.
c. uniform.
d. cut into parts.
3. Circumspect means
a. relating to the circus.
b. to examine thoroughly.
c. put forth in writing.
d. looking around carefully.