All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #151 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GRATIFYING
Amazing
Pleasing
Forgiving
Interesting
Beautiful
Pleasing
To understand this word, it is helpful to consider a word like "grateful." We are grateful for things that are pleasing to us. To be "grateful" is to be thankful for such pleasing things. The adjective "gratifying" means something akin to able to make someone grateful or thankful. Another way to put this is "pleasing," which is the best option among those provided here.
Example Question #152 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TERRAIN
Awareness
Taxation
Mountain
Ground
Battlefield
Ground
The word "terrain" is related to Latin roots meaning land or physical location. (For instance, think of the word "territory.") Now, the word "battlefield" might tempt you because we use the word "terrain" often when talking about warfare. Also, the word "mountain" is tempting, as it is a kind of terrain. However, the only word that simply means "land" is "ground". Think of when you say "the school's grounds." The word "ground" can refer in general to physical terrain. It is in this sense that it is an acceptable synonym.
Example Question #153 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
PORTER
driver
protector
doorman
waiter
guard
doorman
The prefix or root word "port-" means related to moving or transporting, so a “porter” is another name for a “doorman.” For example, the person who collects your bags and holds the door for you at a hotel is considered a "porter." To provide further help, a “protector” is someone who defends someone else.
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
Thankful
Helpful
Sorrowful
Beneficial
Wishful
Thankful
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 #151 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FLEXIBLE
Bendable
Rigid
Stable
Stern
Rough
Bendable
"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
Argue
Smile
Love
Look
Laugh
Look
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
Brainy
Probable
Deadly
Envious
Edible
Deadly
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
Troublemaker
Guardian
Demonstrator
Moderator
Protestor
Troublemaker
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
Editor
Fanatic
Agnostic
Nonbeliever
Deity
Nonbeliever
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
Revere
Improve
Detract
Dirty
Clean
Clean
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.
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