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

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

NONSENSE

Possible Answers:

Happiness

Foolishness

Eccentricity

Disbelief

Justice

Correct answer:

Foolishness

Explanation:

The prefix non- means not. So, "nonsense" means something that does not make sense, silliness, foolishness, absurdity. Additionally, "justice" is fair treatment, particularly the fair and equal treatment and punishment under the law; "disbelief" is the lack of belief; "eccentricity" means the quality of being unusual and weird.

Example Question #82 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

ALTITUDE

Possible Answers:

Height

Length

Depth

Breadth

Width

Correct answer:

Height

Explanation:

The prefix alt- means high, height. As in, "exalt" which means praise highly. So, "altitude" means height. Additionally, "breadth" is another word for "width" (how wide something is).

Example Question #83 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

UNREMARKABLE

Possible Answers:

Heavy

Shy

Boring

Petite

Hilarious

Correct answer:

Boring

Explanation:

The prefix un- means not. As in, "unlikely" which means not likely. So, "unremarkable" means not remarkable, not interesting. This is closest in meaning to "boring." If it is helpful, "remarkable" means interesting, amazing, worthy of being remarked about. Additionally, "hilarious" means very funny; "petite" means little, small; "shy" means not wanting to talk to others.

Example Question #84 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

AMBIGUOUS

Possible Answers:

Sincere

Enormous

Lame

Outlawed

Uncertain

Correct answer:

Uncertain

Explanation:

The prefix ambi- means both. As in, "ambidextrous" which means equally capable of using both one's left and right hands. "Ambiguous" means uncertain, vague, not clear. It helps to think of it like this - "ambiguous" = believing both arguments or conclusions could be true. Additionally, "outlawed" means banned, made illegal; "lame" means boring, uncool; "sincere" means truthful, honest; "enormous" means very large.

Example Question #85 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

DIVINE

Possible Answers:

Poised

Permissible

Heavenly

Massive

Goofy

Correct answer:

Heavenly

Explanation:

The prefixes dei- and div- mean God. As in, a "deity" which means a God. So, "divine" means possessing qualities attributed to God, heavenly. Additionally, "poised" means calm and under control, particularly when faced with stress or pressure; "massive" means very large; "goofy" means silly, quirky, weird; "permissible" means able to be permitted, allowed.

Example Question #86 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

DYNASTY

Possible Answers:

Ancestor

Lineage

Heroism

Glee

Keepsake

Correct answer:

Lineage

Explanation:

The prefix dyna- means power, force, energy. As in "dynamic" which means forceful, energetic, full of power. So, a "dynasty" is a line of rulers who inherit their position of power. This is closest in meaning to a "lineage" which means a line of succession. The British royal family is a "dynasty." Additionally, your "ancestors" are people who came before you in your family line; "glee" is delight, great joy; "heroism" is courage, bravery, the act of being a hero; a "keepsake" is a small item kept to remember someone else.

Example Question #87 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

ALTERNATE

Possible Answers:

Vanish

Contain

Precede

Attend

Rotate

Correct answer:

Rotate

Explanation:

The prefix alter- means other, change. So, to "alternate" is to change from one thing to another. This is closest in meaning to "rotate." Additionally, "contain" means hold inside; "attend" means go to, appear at; "vanish" means disappear, to become no longer visible; "precede" means coming before.

Example Question #88 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

INCAPABLE

Possible Answers:

Innocent

Impossible

Unable

Incoherent

Unfortunate

Correct answer:

Unable

Explanation:

The prefixes in-, im-, and un- all mean not. So, "incapable" means not capable, not able, unable to do something. Additionally, "unfortunate" means not fortunate, not lucky; "impossible" means not possible; "incoherent" means not coherent, not able to be easily understood; "innocent" means not guilty.

Example Question #89 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

DISPERSE

Possible Answers:

Tumble

Instruct

Spread

Undress

Discover

Correct answer:

Spread

Explanation:

The prefix dis- can mean away or not. So, to "disperse" means to spread out, to move away from the starting point in many directions. Additionally, "undress" means take off clothes; "discover" means find; "instruct" means teach or tell what to do; "tumble" means fall over.

Example Question #90 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

DIALOGUE

Possible Answers:

Convention

Ideology

Conversation

Peril

Ambition

Correct answer:

Conversation

Explanation:

The prefix dia- means through, across, between. As in, "diameter" which is a straight line that passes through a circle. So, a "dialogue" is a conversation between two or more people. Additionally, "peril" is danger; "ambition" is a strong desire to achieve something; an "ideology" is a belief system, a system of ideas and ideals; "convention" is the way things are usually done or an agreement

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