MTEL Communication Literacy Skills : Reading Practice Test

The suffix '-esque' indicates which characteristic?

1. Capable of being

2. In the style of, like

3. Backward, again

4. To see

The correct answer is: In the style of, like

The suffix '-esque' conveys the meaning of "in the style of" or "resembling." It is commonly attached to nouns to create adjectives that signify similarity or likeness to whatever the root word represents. For example, the word "picturesque" describes something that is as visually appealing as a picture, implying a quality that resembles or embodies a certain aesthetic. Other choices do not appropriately match the meaning conveyed by '-esque.' The suffix indicating "capable of being" suggests a different kind of function often represented by suffixes like '-able' or '-ible.' The connotation of "backward, again" is typically associated with prefixes rather than suffixes, such as 're-.' Lastly, the notion "to see" is linked to roots like 'vis' or 'spec,' not with the '-esque' suffix.