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

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Using Suffixes To Identify Synonyms

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

GRATEFUL

Possible Answers:

Thankful

Helpful

Sorrowful

Beneficial

Wishful

Correct answer:

Thankful

Explanation:

The Latin root "grat" means pleasing and is found in other English words like "gratitude" (thankfulness), "gratuity" (a tip given to a service worker to demonstrate your satisfaction as a customer) and "ingrate" (someone who is not thankful for something for which he or she should be thankful). The suffix "-ful" usually means full of (some emotion). Thus, it makes sense that “grateful” means pleased by and thankful for something. For example, if you had to move a lot of heavy furniture into a building that had no elevator, you would probably be very grateful if any of your friends offered to help you move.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Using Suffixes To Identify Synonyms

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

FLEXIBLE

Possible Answers:

Rough

Stern

Bendable

Stable

Rigid

Correct answer:

Bendable

Explanation:

"Flex" means bend and the suffix "-ible" means able to be, so "flexible" means able to bend or be bent easily, and "bendable" is the correct answer. “Rigid” is the opposite of “flexible"; it means strong, sturdy, and unable to have its shape changed easily; “stern” means very strict; “stable” means steady or unchanging; and "rough" means having a coarse and grating texture.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Using Suffixes To Identify Synonyms

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

INSPECT

Possible Answers:

Argue

Smile

Love

Look

Laugh

Correct answer:

Look

Explanation:

The suffix -spec means look so to "inspect" something is to look at it. "Love" is an emotion, and is not related on word level to "inspect." "Smile" and "laugh" are both things that you might do while inspecting something, but they're not actually related to the word in anything but an incidental way.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Using Suffixes To Identify Synonyms

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

INCURABLE

Possible Answers:

Brainy

Probable

Deadly

Envious

Edible

Correct answer:

Deadly

Explanation:

The prefix in- means not and the suffix -able means able to be. So, "incurable" means unable to be cured. This is closest in meaning to "deadly." Additionally, "probable" means likely; "edible" means able to be eaten; "envious" means jealous, wanting something that someone else has; "brainy" means clever

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Using Suffixes To Identify Synonyms

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

AGITATOR

Possible Answers:

Troublemaker

Guardian

Demonstrator

Moderator

Protestor

Correct answer:

Troublemaker

Explanation:

The suffix -ator means person who does. As in "protestor," which means person who protests or "demonstrator," which means a person who demonstrates against. These two words are synonyms. So, an "agitator" is someone who agitates. To "agitate" means to disturb, to cause trouble. The correct answer is therefore "troublemaker." Additionally, a "moderator" is someone who oversees a debate; a "guardian" is a protector, someone who protects.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Using Suffixes To Identify Synonyms

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

ATHEIST

Possible Answers:

Editor

Fanatic

Agnostic

Nonbeliever

Deity

Correct answer:

Nonbeliever

Explanation:

The prefix a- means not and the suffix -theist means God. So, an "atheist" is someone who does not believe in God. This is closest in meaning to "nonbeliever." Additionally, a "deity" is a God; an "agnostic" is someone who is unsure as to whether or not God exists; a "fanatic" is someone who follows something passionately; an "editor" is a person who edits and makes decisions regarding the content of things like newspapers and magazines.

Example Question #2314 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

PURIFY

Possible Answers:

Revere

Improve

Detract

Dirty

Clean

Correct answer:

Clean

Explanation:

The suffix -ify means to make into. So, "purify" means to make pure. This is closest in meaning to "clean." Additionally, "revere" means deeply respect and admire; "improve" means make better; "detract" means take away from

Example Question #2315 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

WORTHLESS

Possible Answers:

Unimportant

Abrupt

Inexpensive

Materialistic

Homely

Correct answer:

Unimportant

Explanation:

The suffix -less means without. As in, "hopeless" which means without hope. So, "worthless" means without worth. Which is closest in definition to "unimportant." Other synonyms include "insignificant" and "useless." Additionally, "inexpensive" means not expensive; "homely" means unattractive, plain in appearance; "abrupt" means happening suddenly and unexpectedly; "materialistic" means overly worried about image, money and looks. Based on these words what do you think the prefixes un- and in- mean? 

Example Question #161 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

CONCLUDE

Possible Answers:

Finish

Harass

Beam

Commence

Radiate

Correct answer:

Finish

Explanation:

The suffix -clud means close. As in "reclusive" which describes someone who likes to be closed indoors away from others. So, "conclude" means to bring to a close, to finish. Additionally, "commence" means begin; "beam" means smile widely; "harass" means annoy, irritate, pester, bother; "radiate" means emit, give off (energy).

Example Question #162 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

FRIGHTFUL

Possible Answers:

Snobbish

Soothing

Scary

Combative

Doubtful

Correct answer:

Scary

Explanation:

The suffix -ful means full of. As in, "eventful" which means full of interesting events, busy. So, "frightful" means full of frights, scary. Additionally, "soothing" means calming; "combative" means eager to fight, argumentative; "snobbish" means elitist, thinking you are better than someone else; "doubtful" means not likely to happen, full of doubt.

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