When you look around the classroom, you see many different faces, colors, shapes, and objects. But there are some things that are the same or go together. In this chapter, you’ll learn words we use to talk about things that are the same or go together.

Mim means “same”

Siml means “same” or “like”

The prefix sym- means “together.” It can sometimes appear as syn-

Examples:› Sym- + posium = symposium (means a social

gathering).

› Syn- + chronize = synchronize (means to make happen at the same time).

A comparison of two things using “like” or “as”

The author used a simile when she wrote: “The guard was as tough as a brick wall.”

A piece of music performed by an orchestra

I heard a symphony by Beethoven at the arts center.

An exact copy The ancient sword on display is only a

facsimile; the real one was lost many years ago.

A sign of something else The athlete thought the sharp pain in his

arm might be a symptom of a broken bone.

To copy someone or something My brother doesn’t like it when I mimic

his voice, but I think it’s hilarious.

To become part of or get used to The pack of wolves were able to

assimilate the stray wolf into their group.

To understand how someone feels I was glad that Jayce was able to

sympathize with my problems like a true friend.

To pretend to be or appear to look like The scientists were able to simulate the

rocket launch on a computer.

To imitate someone or something We laughed at the performance of the

mime as he pulled on an invisible rope.

A picture or object that stands for something

It’s easy to spot my favorite brand of milk because it has a cow as its symbol.

Expression without speaking The room was too loud for me to hear

my friend, so we used gestures and pantomime.

Having things in common The two sisters were similar in many

ways, but they also disagreed about some things.