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 #53 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

NONSENSE

Possible Answers:

Justice

Foolishness

Happiness

Disbelief

Eccentricity

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 #54 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

ALTITUDE

Possible Answers:

Depth

Length

Width

Breadth

Height

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 #55 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

UNREMARKABLE

Possible Answers:

Petite

Heavy

Boring

Shy

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 #56 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

AMBIGUOUS

Possible Answers:

Enormous

Uncertain

Lame

Outlawed

Sincere

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 #57 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

DIVINE

Possible Answers:

Permissible

Goofy

Massive

Poised

Heavenly

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 #58 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

DYNASTY

Possible Answers:

Heroism

Lineage

Keepsake

Ancestor

Glee

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 #59 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

ALTERNATE

Possible Answers:

Attend

Rotate

Vanish

Precede

Contain

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 #60 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

INCAPABLE

Possible Answers:

Unfortunate

Incoherent

Innocent

Unable

Impossible

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 #61 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

DISPERSE

Possible Answers:

Instruct

Discover

Spread

Tumble

Undress

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 #62 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

DIALOGUE

Possible Answers:

Ideology

Conversation

Ambition

Convention

Peril

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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