Vocabulary and Word Analysis Flashcards

What is the meaning of the prefix 'inter-' in words such as 'interact' and 'interstate'?

Answer: Between or among

The prefix 'inter-' means 'between' or 'among,' as in 'interstate' (between states) and 'interact' (act between/with each other).

In a VCLA passage, a word described as having a 'negative connotation' means it carries:

Answer: An implied, unfavorable emotional association

A word with a negative connotation carries an implied unfavorable or unpleasant emotional association beyond its literal definition.

Which sentence uses the word 'infer' correctly?

Answer: He could infer from her expression that she was upset.

'He could infer from her expression that she was upset' correctly uses 'infer' to mean drawing a conclusion from evidence.

What does the suffix '-ology' indicate when added to a root word, as in 'psychology' and 'biology'?

Answer: The study or science of something

The suffix '-ology' means 'the study or science of,' as in psychology (study of the mind) and biology (study of life).

Which word pair is an example of homonyms—words that sound alike but have different meanings?

Answer: Their and there

'Their' and 'there' are homonyms—they sound identical but have completely different meanings and spellings.

In a VCLA vocabulary question, 'denotation' refers to a word's:

Answer: Exact, literal dictionary definition

Denotation is the precise, literal dictionary definition of a word, as opposed to its connotation (emotional associations).