ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms: Using Prefixes to Identify Synonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Lower Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

RELOCATE

Possible Answers:

Move

Assume

Create

Explain

Crave

Correct answer:

Move

Explanation:

The prefix "re-" means again or new and "locate" means find or position, so it makes sense that "relocate" means move to a new place. As for the other answer choices, "assume” means think you know something without evidence; “crave” means want; “create” means make; and "explain" means give reasons for an action or decision.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

IMMIGRANT

Possible Answers:

Traveler

Native

Commerce

Pinnacle

Settler

Correct answer:

Settler

Explanation:

The prefix "im-" can mean into, so it makes sense that "immigrant" means someone who moves to a new country. "Settler" is thus the answer choice closest in meaning to "immigrant." As for the other answer choices, a “native” is someone who was born and raised in the place in which they live; “commerce” is trade or the buying and selling things; “pinnacle” means the high point of something or the peak of accomplishment; and a "traveler" is a tourist, nomad, or wanderer.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

MIDWAY

Possible Answers:

Coastline

Length

Halfway

Island

Period

Correct answer:

Halfway

Explanation:

The prefix "mid-" means middle, so it makes sense that "midway" through something is "halfway" through it. As for the other answer choices, “period” is a specific length of time or a time in history, like the Revolutionary period in the United States. “Length” is how long something is. A “coastline” is the part of a country that touches the sea.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

NONSENSE

Possible Answers:

Profound

Logical

Fantastic

Standard

Ridiculous

Correct answer:

Ridiculous

Explanation:

The prefix "non-" means not or without, so "nonsense" means not making any sense when used as an adjective and writing or speech that doesn't make any sense, or "gibberish," when used as a noun. As for the other answer choices, "standard” means normal or typical; “logical” means making sense according to logical principles; “profound” means great, intense, or significant and refers to emotions; and "fantastic" means imaginary or of very high quality.

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

REACTION

Possible Answers:

Misstep

Demand 

Rest

Response

Reproach

Correct answer:

Response

Explanation:

The prefix "re-" means again or back, so it makes sense that a “reaction” is a response to an action. How you behave after hearing or seeing something is your “reaction” to it. This is closest to “response.” As for the other answer choices, "reproach" can be used as a noun meaning something conveying that one is not happy with something someone else has done; a "misstep" is a step where one shouldn't step, or more generally, a mistake; a "rest" is a break, especially from physical exertion; and a "demand" is something a person or group requires before they will agree to do something.

Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

RENEWAL

Possible Answers:

Revival

Return

Resistance

Renegade

Regulation

Correct answer:

Revival

Explanation:

The word "renewal" clearly is made up of two parts: (1) the prefix "re-" and (2) the base "newal." The prefix "re-" here means again, as in "repeat" and "recognize." (To "re-cognize" is to know something again—to know that person is, for example, your friend Sally, whom you know.)

A "renewal" is a making new again. It is a return to a more vibrant time or state of affairs. To "renew" wedding vows is to make them again, with the intent of living them more fully. A religious "renewal" is a return to more dedicated religious practice. Among the options provided, do not be tempted by the trick answer "return." Yes, every "renewal" could be said to be a return to the best times or to devotion. However, a "renewal" is even better said to be a "revival," which literally means "returning to life." The "-vival" portion is related to the Latin for life or to live and is found in words like "survive" and "vivacious."

Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

FORECAST

Possible Answers:

Prediction

News

Meteorology

Weather

Germinate

Correct answer:

Prediction

Explanation:

The word "forecast" is something like a copy of "predict," though the words are not exactly the same. The prefix "fore-" means before or prior to. Something in the "foreground" is in the front of a picture or scene as opposed to the "background." A "forecast" is something that looks to see what will happen before it actually happens. A weather forecaster is someone who makes such predictions about the weather.

The word "predict" has the prefix "pre-," which also means before. The "-dict" portion of the word comes from roots meaning to speak or say. To "pre-dict" is to "say before"—that is, to speak about an event before it occurs. Thus, it is a good synonym for "forecast." Indeed, it is basically its definition!

Example Question #18 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

PREAMBLE

Possible Answers:

Explanation

Introduction

Lesson

Constitution

Outline

Correct answer:

Introduction

Explanation:

The word "preamble" is composed of two parts. The prefix "pre-" means before—as you likely know from words like "precede" and, of course, "prefix." The "-amble" portion is a bit rarer. It comes from the Latin for to walk and is found in words like "amble" and "ambulatory." (The latter means able to walk.) The "preamble" of a document is the beginning portion—the part that "walks before" the rest of the document. It is the "introduction" to the document. It does not necessarily outline or explain the document, though it can. Primarily, what it means to be a "preamble" is to be an introduction or a beginning to a text.

Example Question #19 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

UNLAWFUL

Possible Answers:

Malevolent

Despite 

Illegal 

Benevolent 

Famine 

Correct answer:

Illegal 

Explanation:

“Lawful” means allowed or within the law so “unlawful” must mean not allowed or not within the law. “Illegal” is the closest synonym. To provide further help, “despite” means regardless of something; a “famine” is a massive scarcity of food; “malevolent” means bad-natured and “benevolent” means good-natured.

Example Question #20 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

MALFUNCTION

Possible Answers:

Trace

Repair

Mechanize

Break

Overlook

Correct answer:

Break

Explanation:

When used as a verb, "function" means work. The prefix "mal-" means bad, so if something “malfunctions,” it stops workingworks incorrectly, or breaks. "Break" is thus the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “repair” means fix; "overlook" means miss some detail when considering the bigger picture, "trace" means outline or track down; and "mechanize" means begin to use machines to do something that previously wasn't done by machines.

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