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

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

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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

Possible Answers:

Hesitate

Occupy

Explain

Salvage

Inquire

Correct answer:

Explain

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Clear

Acute

Parallel

Obtuse

Dense

Correct answer:

Clear

Explanation:

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 #33 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

INCISION

Possible Answers:

Bone

Muscle

Wound

Brain

Cut

Correct answer:

Cut

Explanation:

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 #34 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

PROPEL

Possible Answers:

Push

Donate

Pull

Gather

Replace

Correct answer:

Push

Explanation:

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 #35 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

CONTRADICT

Possible Answers:

Vent

Argue

Waver

Move

Vend

Correct answer:

Argue

Explanation:

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 #36 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

INANIMATE

Possible Answers:

Frail

Painstaking

Lethal

Horrendous

Lifeless

Correct answer:

Lifeless

Explanation:

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 #37 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

INTERSECT

Possible Answers:

Outline

Remain

Replenish

Outlaw

Divide

Correct answer:

Divide

Explanation:

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 #38 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

INSPECT

Possible Answers:

Police

Investigate

Worry

Condemn

Watch

Correct answer:

Investigate

Explanation:

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

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

VERIFY

Possible Answers:

Enunciate

Debate

Discuss

Explain

Confirm

Correct answer:

Confirm

Explanation:

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 #39 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

WONDER

Possible Answers:

Admire

Support

Notice

Please

Gigantic

Correct answer:

Admire

Explanation:

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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