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 #71 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

AMBLE

Possible Answers:

Sprint

Jog

Swim

Stroll

Leap

Correct answer:

Stroll

Explanation:

The prefix ambul- means walk. So, to "amble" means to walk slowly and casually. This has the same meaning as "stroll." Additionally, "sprint" means run fast; "leap" means jump high; "jog" means run slowly

Example Question #72 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

REVISE

Possible Answers:

Abhor

Amend

Abstain

Assume

Accompany

Correct answer:

Amend

Explanation:

The prefix re- means again, back. As in, "remember" which means to think back on, to think about the past. So, "revise" means to edit, to go back over something and make changes. This has the same meaning as "amend." The word "amend" can be found in "amendments" which are changes made to the Constitution. Additionally, "accompany" means go with; "abhor" means hate; "abstain" means refuse to take part in; "assume" means to think is true without knowing for a fact.

Example Question #101 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

MISTAKE

Possible Answers:

Gossip

Error

Intimacy

Reputation

Integrity

Correct answer:

Error

Explanation:

The prefix mis- means badly. As in, "misinform" which means to give bad information to. So, a "mistake" is something done badly, something done wrong, an error. Additionally, your "reputation" is what people think of you; "integrity" is the quality of being honest and sticking to one's principles; "intimacy" is togetherness, closeness with other people; "gossip" is rumor, information passed informally through conversation.

Example Question #102 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

EXTRACT

Possible Answers:

Withdraw

Insert

Devise

Terrorize

Scheme

Correct answer:

Withdraw

Explanation:

The prefix ex- means outside of. As in, "external" which means outside of something. So, to "extract" means to get something out of something else or to withdraw. Additionally, "insert" means put into; "devise" means come up with (a plan); "scheme" means plot, plan something tricky or sneaky; "terrorize" means consistently cause to experience fear

Example Question #103 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

TRIBUNAL

Possible Answers:

Committee

Leverage

Occasion

Empathy

Liability

Correct answer:

Committee

Explanation:

The prefix tri- means three. As in, "triplets" which are three children born to the same mother at the same time. Solving this problem is a little tricky, however. A "tribunal" is a committee  a group of people who are meeting up to resolve some problem. The word comes from Roman origins where committees of three people would commonly rule on legal decisions and other matters. So, if you need to remember "tribunal" think of a committee of three ancient Roman men. Additionally, "empathy" is the ability to feel the emotions of others; an "occasion" is a particular time or event; "leverage" is grip, the hold one has on something; "liability" is the state of being held responsible, the condition of being legally responsible if something bad happens.

Example Question #104 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

EXOTIC

Possible Answers:

Wild

Scientific

New

Foreign

Zoological

Correct answer:

Foreign

Explanation:

The word "exotic" means foreign or from outside of this area. The idea of being "outside" can be seen in the prefix "ex-". We use this in "exit," meaning the process of going out of some area. This prefix in general means out or out of. Although we tend to think of exotic animal, the word can be used for anything that foreign—in the sense of "not being from here."

Example Question #105 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

IRRATIONAL

Possible Answers:

Angry

Unreasonable

Unacademic

Harsh

Stupid

Correct answer:

Unreasonable

Explanation:

For this question, some simple attention to the parts of the word "irrational" will help you get quickly to the correct answer. The prefix "ir-" is a form of the prefix "i-", which means "not." Think of the word "incorrect." In this word, "in-" means "not"—as in "not correct." Therefore, someone who is "irrational" is not rational. Now, "rational" means reasonable or able to use one's mind clearly. An irrational person does not think clearly. We tend to think of angry people as being irrational, but really anyone who is illogical is irrational. The simple word "unreasonable" is an acceptable synonym for "irrational"—indeed, it is almost an exact copy of the parts of the word. The prefix "un-" is used to mean "not," so "unreasonable" means "not reasonable"—quite close to "ir + rational"!

Example Question #106 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

INTERIOR

Possible Answers:

Outgoing

Pensive

Amplified

Inside

Complete

Correct answer:

Inside

Explanation:

The prefix "in-" here means inside, so the word “interior” means having to do with or located inside of something, making "inside" the correct answer.

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