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 #41 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

OVERCONFIDENT

Possible Answers:

Rude

Cantankerous

Quaint

Arrogant

Meek

Correct answer:

Arrogant

Explanation:

The prefix "over-" means excessively, so “overconfident” means excessively confident, or "arrogant." As for the other answer choices, “meek” means shy and quiet; “cantankerous” means grumpy, angry, and easily annoyed; “quaint” means old-fashioned and charming; and "rude" means disrespectful.

Example Question #49 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

OMNIPRESENT

Possible Answers:

Fortunate

Greedy

Nowhere

Everywhere

Unfortunate

Correct answer:

Everywhere

Explanation:

In order to solve this synonym problem you have to consider both the prefix and suffix of the word "omnipresent." The prefix omni- means every, all and the suffix -present means place, where. So the word "omnipresent" means everywhere, in all places. To provide further help, "greedy" means wanting more than you have/need; "fortunate" means lucky and "unfortunate" means unlucky. Notice the impact of the prefix un-

Example Question #1112 : Synonyms

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

ANTIDOTE

Possible Answers:

Teacher

Medicine

Vehicle

Schoolyard

Hospital

Correct answer:

Medicine

Explanation:

The prefix anti- means against. So an "antidote" is something used against poisons, used to provide a solution to poison. This is closest in meaning to "medicine." 

Example Question #1113 : Synonyms

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

DUPLICATE

Possible Answers:

Monument

List

Copy

Drawing

Schedule

Correct answer:

Copy

Explanation:

To solve this synonym you need to rely on your knowledge of prefixes. The prefix du- means two of, so a "duplicate" is a second copy of something. It is common to make a "duplicate" of something if it is important and you do not want to lose it, like a "duplicate" key. 

Example Question #1121 : Synonyms

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

DISPATCHED

Possible Answers:

Sent

Forgiven

Replaced

Lent

Spent

Correct answer:

Sent

Explanation:

To solve this synonym you will again need to rely on your knowledge of prefixes. The prefix dis- means away. So to "dispatch" something is to send it away. To provide further help, "lent" means let someone borrow

Example Question #1122 : Synonyms

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

PREVENT

Possible Answers:

Stop

Displace

Accompany

Dispatch

Continue

Correct answer:

Stop

Explanation:

The prefix pre- means before, so "prevent" means to stop something before it happens. To provide further help, "accompany" means go with; "continue" means keep going; "dispatch" means send away; "displace" means replace, take over.

Example Question #1123 : Synonyms

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

SUBMISSIVE

Possible Answers:

Frenetic

Dominant

Obedient

Hostile

Unusual

Correct answer:

Obedient

Explanation:

The prefix sub- means under. Someone who is "submissive" is someone who likes to be controlled by someone else, someone under control. The closest word to this is "obedient" which means someone who does what they are told. To provide further help, "hostile" means not friendly, threatening; "dominant" means in-charge, it is opposite in meaning to "submissive"; "frenetic" means chaotic and fast-paced; "unusual" means weird, not normal.

Example Question #1124 : Synonyms

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

MALIGNANT

Possible Answers:

Unkempt

Deadly

Healthy

Benign

Scarce

Correct answer:

Deadly

Explanation:

The prefix mal- means bad so you can reasonably infer that the correct answer must mean something bad. Something that is "malignant" is deadly, bad for you and dangerous. To provide further help, "benign" means not malignant, not deadly, harmless; "unkempt" means messy; "scarce" means rare, in short supply

Example Question #1125 : Synonyms

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

PROTOTYPE

Possible Answers:

Engine

Warning

Elementary

Vehicle

Model

Correct answer:

Model

Explanation:

The prefix proto- means first. So, a "prototype" is an early or first model of something. Additionally, "elementary" means basic, not complicated

Example Question #1126 : Synonyms

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

DYSFUNCTIONAL

Possible Answers:

Literate

Precious

Repaired

Broken

Plucky

Correct answer:

Broken

Explanation:

The prefixes dys- and dis- means not. As in "dislike" which means to not like. Furthermore, "functional" means working properly. So, "dysfunctional" means not working. This is closest in definition to "broken." Additionally, "precious" means treasured, very special and important to; "literate" means able to read and write; "plucky" means courageous, brave, usually it describes someone small who is braver than might be expected; "repaired" means fixed.

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