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 #23 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

ANTIDOTE

Possible Answers:

Medicine

Schoolyard

Hospital

Teacher

Vehicle

Correct answer:

Medicine

Explanation:

The prefix anti- means against. So an "antidote" is something used against poisons, used to provide a solution to poison. This is closest in meaning to "medicine." 

Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

DUPLICATE

Possible Answers:

Monument

Copy

Drawing

Schedule

List

Correct answer:

Copy

Explanation:

To solve this synonym you need to rely on your knowledge of prefixes. The prefix du- means two of, so a "duplicate" is a second copy of something. It is common to make a "duplicate" of something if it is important and you do not want to lose it, like a "duplicate" key. 

Example Question #25 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

DISPATCHED

Possible Answers:

Spent

Forgiven

Replaced

Sent

Lent

Correct answer:

Sent

Explanation:

To solve this synonym you will again need to rely on your knowledge of prefixes. The prefix dis- means away. So to "dispatch" something is to send it away. To provide further help, "lent" means let someone borrow

Example Question #26 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

PREVENT

Possible Answers:

Continue

Dispatch

Accompany

Stop

Displace

Correct answer:

Stop

Explanation:

The prefix pre- means before, so "prevent" means to stop something before it happens. To provide further help, "accompany" means go with; "continue" means keep going; "dispatch" means send away; "displace" means replace, take over.

Example Question #27 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

SUBMISSIVE

Possible Answers:

Frenetic

Unusual

Obedient

Dominant

Hostile

Correct answer:

Obedient

Explanation:

The prefix sub- means under. Someone who is "submissive" is someone who likes to be controlled by someone else, someone under control. The closest word to this is "obedient" which means someone who does what they are told. To provide further help, "hostile" means not friendly, threatening; "dominant" means in-charge, it is opposite in meaning to "submissive"; "frenetic" means chaotic and fast-paced; "unusual" means weird, not normal.

Example Question #28 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

MALIGNANT

Possible Answers:

Healthy

Deadly

Unkempt

Benign

Scarce

Correct answer:

Deadly

Explanation:

The prefix mal- means bad so you can reasonably infer that the correct answer must mean something bad. Something that is "malignant" is deadly, bad for you and dangerous. To provide further help, "benign" means not malignant, not deadly, harmless; "unkempt" means messy; "scarce" means rare, in short supply

Example Question #29 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

PROTOTYPE

Possible Answers:

Warning

Engine

Model

Vehicle

Elementary

Correct answer:

Model

Explanation:

The prefix proto- means first. So, a "prototype" is an early or first model of something. Additionally, "elementary" means basic, not complicated

Example Question #30 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

DYSFUNCTIONAL

Possible Answers:

Repaired

Plucky

Literate

Precious

Broken

Correct answer:

Broken

Explanation:

The prefixes dys- and dis- means not. As in "dislike" which means to not like. Furthermore, "functional" means working properly. So, "dysfunctional" means not working. This is closest in definition to "broken." Additionally, "precious" means treasured, very special and important to; "literate" means able to read and write; "plucky" means courageous, brave, usually it describes someone small who is braver than might be expected; "repaired" means fixed.

Example Question #51 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

MORPH

Possible Answers:

Unite

Change

Rejoice

Preach

Suffer

Correct answer:

Change

Explanation:

The prefix morph- means shape. So, to "morph" literally means to change shape. Additionally, "suffer" means feel pain; "rejoice" means celebrate, draw happiness from; "unite" means bring together, join, connect; "preach" means deliver a speech to a group of people, particularly a religious message

Example Question #52 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

COMPACT

Possible Answers:

Tall

Light

Soft

Dense

Short

Correct answer:

Dense

Explanation:

The prefixes con-, and com- mean with, together. As in "convene," which means meet, come together to discuss. So, "compact" means something like pushed together or "dense." If you need further help, "dense" means thick, tightly packed together.

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