ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2287 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

SCRIBE

Possible Answers:

Writer

Mother

Father

Painter

Sailor

Correct answer:

Writer

Explanation:

To solve this problem it is necessary to consider the meaning of the root of the word "scribe." The root word -scrib- means write, so a "scribe" is a writer. To "inscribe" is to write in for example. 

Example Question #1199 : Synonyms

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

INCREDIBLE

Possible Answers:

Unlikely

Unwelcoming

Believable

Likely

Unbelievable

Correct answer:

Unbelievable

Explanation:

To solve this synonym you have to examine the roots in the word "incredible." -cred- means believe and in- means not. So the word "incredible" means not believable, which is the same as "unbelievable." Notice here how the prefixes in- and un- both function the same way, they take the original meaning of the word and negate it causing it to mean the opposite. So "unwelcoming" means not welcoming

Example Question #131 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

VERSATILE

Possible Answers:

Viable

Incomprehensible

Incapable

Adaptable

Portable

Correct answer:

Adaptable

Explanation:

The roots -vers- and -vert- mean turn. As in, "revert" which means turn back, return to a previous state. "Versatile" means adaptable, able to change to suit different environments or situations. It helps to think of it like this "versatile" = able to turn towards a different approach. Additionally, "viable" means workable, capable of being accomplished; "portable" means able to be moved, able to be carried; "incapable" means not capable, not able to do something; "incomprehensible" means not able to be understood. Based on these words what do you think the suffixes -able and -ible mean?

Example Question #132 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

DISMAL

Possible Answers:

Ecstatic

Euphoric

Celebratory

Depressing

Joyful

Correct answer:

Depressing

Explanation:

The root -mal- means bad. It is a very common prefix and appears in words like "malevolent" which means bad natured and "malicious" which means cruel. So, "dismal" must mean something bad. All of these answer choices describe a state of happiness, except "depressing" which means very sad. "Dismal" means depressing, gloomy, dark.

Example Question #133 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

CONVEY

Possible Answers:

Mumble

Whine

Tumble

Transport

Stare

Correct answer:

Transport

Explanation:

The roots -vey- and -vect- mean carry, move. So, to "convey" means to move from one place to another. This is identical in meaning to "transport." Additionally, "whine" means complain about; "stare" means look at intensely; "tumble" means trip, fall over; "mumble" means whisper, talk quietly, talk in a way that is hard to understand.

Example Question #134 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

ENAMORED

Possible Answers:

Frustrated

Circumstantial

Captivated

Alleviated

Momentous

Correct answer:

Captivated

Explanation:

The root -amor- means love, friend. So, "enamored" means in love with, obsessed with. This is closest in meaning to "captivated" which means fascinated by, attracted to, in love with. Additionally, "momentous" means massive, of great importance; "frustrated" means annoyed, irritated; "alleviated" means (of pain) made better, soothed; "circumstantial" means (of evidence) indirect, only partially relevant or applicable

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:

Inquire

Salvage

Explain

Occupy

Hesitate

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

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

VISIBLE

Possible Answers:

Acute

Clear

Parallel

Dense

Obtuse

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:

Wound

Cut

Brain

Bone

Muscle

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:

Gather

Donate

Push

Pull

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).

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