All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CLARIFY
Salvage
Hesitate
Explain
Inquire
Occupy
Explain
The prefix clar- means clear and the suffix -ify means to make into. So, to "clarify" something means to make it clear, to make it able to be understood. This is closest in meaning to "explain." Additionally, "salvage" means rescue, save, particularly save from being thrown away; "hesitate" means delay, pause; "inquire" means ask about, question; "occupy" means take up the space of.
Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VISIBLE
Clear
Acute
Parallel
Obtuse
Dense
Clear
The prefix vis- means see, sight and the suffix -ible means able to be. So, "visible" means able to be seen. This is closest in meaning to "clear." Additionally, "dense" means thick; "acute" can mean sharp, clever or severe, intense or it can describe an angle in mathematics that is less than ninety-degrees; "obtuse" can mean stupid, not clever or it can describe an angle in mathematics that is more than ninety-degrees, but less than one-hundred-and-eighty-degrees; "parallel" means in line with, a line that runs alongside another line.
Example Question #2295 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INCISION
Muscle
Cut
Bone
Wound
Brain
Cut
The root -cis- means cut. As in "concise" which means cut to the point, exactly to the point. So, an "incision" is a cut made in something.
Example Question #2296 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PROPEL
Replace
Gather
Push
Pull
Donate
Push
The prefix pro- means push and the suffix -pel means forward, through. So, to "propel" means to push forward or simply to push. Additionally, "gather" means collect; "replace" means get a new version of something else, take the old place of; "donate" means give to (charity).
Example Question #33 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CONTRADICT
Vent
Vend
Argue
Move
Waver
Argue
The prefix contra- means against and the suffix -dict means speak. So, to "contradict" means to speak against, to argue. Additionally, "vent" means express frustration, let off steam; "vend" means sell; "waver" means to be unsure of oneself and frequently be changing one's mind.
Example Question #34 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INANIMATE
Horrendous
Lethal
Painstaking
Frail
Lifeless
Lifeless
The prefix in- means not and the root -anima- means life. So, "inanimate" means not living, lifeless, devoid of life. Additionally, "horrendous" means terrible; "painstaking" means done with careful attention to detail; "lethal" means deadly; "frail" means weak, sick.
Example Question #2299 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INTERSECT
Remain
Divide
Outlaw
Replenish
Outline
Divide
The prefix inter- means between and the suffix -sect means cut. So, to "intersect" is to cut in the middle of something, to make a cut between two things. This is closest in meaning to "divide" which means to split, to cut in half. Additionally, "outlaw" means ban, forbid; "replenish" means refill, fill something up; "remain" means stay; "outline" means give a summary of something, show the main points.
Example Question #35 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INSPECT
Worry
Watch
Police
Investigate
Condemn
Investigate
The word "inspect" is related to words like "spectator" and "spectacles." A "spectator" is someone who watches something (like a football game), and "spectacles" are glasses that we use to help our vision. The root "spect-" often has this sense of meaning to look at. Thus, to "in+spect" means to look into something. It means that you look into the details carefully. This is best expressed by "investigate."
Example Question #2301 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VERIFY
Confirm
Discuss
Enunciate
Explain
Debate
Confirm
The word "verify" comes from the Latin for true. The word "very" means truly, and the "verdict" in a court case is the statement of truth (at least how it is judged to be true). Thus, to "verify" means to prove to be true. The best option given in this question is to confirm. When something is "confirmed," we know that it is the case. (Indeed, the word itself helps to express this sort of meaning—it proves that something is firm or certain.)
Example Question #36 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
WONDER
Support
Admire
Notice
Please
Gigantic
Admire
The options given for this question are all verbs. When someone "wonders" at something, he or she is amazed by it. For example, we could say, "He wondered at the beauty of the sunset." This means that he was amazed by it. Amazement can also be called admiration. Indeed, the word "admire" comes from the same roots as the word "miracle", meaning something wonderful. Thus we can "admire" something in the same way that we can "wonder" at it.
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