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

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

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

Possible Answers:

Amazing

Pleasing

Forgiving

Interesting

Beautiful

Correct answer:

Pleasing

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Awareness

Taxation

Mountain

Ground

Battlefield

Correct answer:

Ground

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

driver

protector

doorman

waiter

guard

Correct answer:

doorman

Explanation:

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

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 #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

Possible Answers:

Bendable

Rigid

Stable

Stern

Rough

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

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors