ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #33 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

POLYCHROMATIC

Possible Answers:

Livid

Rare

Multicolored

Malevolent

Porous

Correct answer:

Multicolored

Explanation:

Even if you have never seen the word "polychromatic," you can find the correct answer by breaking the word into parts. Notice the prefix, "poly-," that precedes "chromatic." "Poly-" is a Greek prefix that means "many." Have you ever heard of a "polygon," or a closed shape formed of many line segments? Or the lesser-known term "polyglot," referring to a speaker of many languages? It can also help to know that "chromatic" refers to color or hue. As for the incorrect answers, "rare" means unusual, "livid" means furiously angry, and "malevolent" describes someone who has evil or cruel intentions. Lastly, a "porous" object is one with many holes.

Example Question #34 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

ENRAGE

Possible Answers:

Equate

Infuriate 

Remedy 

Toss

Jest 

Correct answer:

Infuriate 

Explanation:

In the word "enrage," the prefix "en-" means into and is derived from French. So, the word “enrage” means make angry. The answer choice closest in meaning to "enrage" is “infuriate.” Notice how the word “enrage” has the root "rage" in it and the word “infuriate” has the root "fury" in it; "rage" and "fury" both mean intense anger. To provide further help, “toss” means throw when used as a verb or a throw when used as a noun; “equate” means compare to as being equal; “jest” means joke when used as a noun or as a verb; and “remedy” means fix or make better when used as a verb, and something that fixes a problem when used as a noun.

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

EXTERIOR

Possible Answers:

Outside

Entirety

Support

Inside

Opposition

Correct answer:

Outside

Explanation:

The prefix "ex-" means outside of, so it makes sense that the word “exterior” means the outside of something. It is the opposite of “interior,” which means the inside of something. The "opposition" is the people who disagree with you or your group, taken as a whole.

Example Question #1104 : Synonyms

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

ANTONYM

Possible Answers:

Noun

Synonym

Antagonistic

Opposite

Verb

Correct answer:

Opposite

Explanation:

An "antonym" is a word that has a meaning that is the opposite of another word. (This makes sense, given that the word "antonym" is derived from the Greek prefix "anti," which can mean opposite of, and "-onym," which is from the Greek for name.) Therefore, the synonym for this word would be "opposite." Both words mean the same thing, although "antonym" is used specifically for defining the meanings of words. All the other answer choices are not related to the concept of opposites and are therefore incorrect.

Example Question #32 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

ENDANGER

Possible Answers:

Extinguish

Imperil

Falsify

Defend

Preserve

Correct answer:

Imperil

Explanation:

The word "endanger" is composed of two parts: "en-danger." The "en-" prefix is a form of the "in-" prefix that, unsurprisingly, means in or into. Therefore, the word "endanger" could be read as meaning to place into danger or a dangerous situation. The general idea of "endangering" someone or something is to put that thing at risk for being harmed or even killed. When we talk of "endangered species," these are species that are at a serious risk of being completely wiped out from existence. Extinction is their total death—none being left alive.

To endanger something is to put it at risk or into danger. This is not the same as "extinguishing" something. In fact, "extinguishing" something is more like making it to be extinct than endangering it. Certainly, "preserve" and "defend" cannot be correct, for they are opposites of "endanger." Therefore, "imperil" is the best option.  The word "imperil" itself has the "in-" prefix, though it is in the form "im-".  To "im-peril" something is to put it into danger. ("Peril" is a serious danger.  A "perilous" situation is one that is very dangerous.)

Example Question #34 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

INSANE

Possible Answers:

Loud

Intelligent

Crazy

Cool

Exuberant

Correct answer:

Crazy

Explanation:

The prefix "in-" means not, and "sane" means mentally stable and healthy, so it makes sense that "insane" means not mentally stable and healthy, or "crazy." As for the other answer choices, “intelligent” means smart, and “exuberant” means lively and excited.

Example Question #31 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

RELOCATE

Possible Answers:

Move

Crave

Assume

Explain

Create

Correct answer:

Move

Explanation:

The prefix "re-" means again or new and "locate" means find or position, so it makes sense that "relocate" means move to a new place. As for the other answer choices, "assume” means think you know something without evidence; “crave” means want; “create” means make; and "explain" means give reasons for an action or decision.

Example Question #32 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

IMMIGRANT

Possible Answers:

Pinnacle

Commerce

Traveler

Settler

Native

Correct answer:

Settler

Explanation:

The prefix "im-" can mean into, so it makes sense that "immigrant" means someone who moves to a new country. "Settler" is thus the answer choice closest in meaning to "immigrant." As for the other answer choices, a “native” is someone who was born and raised in the place in which they live; “commerce” is trade or the buying and selling things; “pinnacle” means the high point of something or the peak of accomplishment; and a "traveler" is a tourist, nomad, or wanderer.

Example Question #2191 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

MIDWAY

Possible Answers:

Period

Halfway

Length

Coastline

Island

Correct answer:

Halfway

Explanation:

The prefix "mid-" means middle, so it makes sense that "midway" through something is "halfway" through it. As for the other answer choices, “period” is a specific length of time or a time in history, like the Revolutionary period in the United States. “Length” is how long something is. A “coastline” is the part of a country that touches the sea.

Example Question #1101 : Synonyms

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

NONSENSE

Possible Answers:

Profound

Standard

Logical

Fantastic

Ridiculous

Correct answer:

Ridiculous

Explanation:

The prefix "non-" means not or without, so "nonsense" means not making any sense when used as an adjective and writing or speech that doesn't make any sense, or "gibberish," when used as a noun. As for the other answer choices, "standard” means normal or typical; “logical” means making sense according to logical principles; “profound” means great, intense, or significant and refers to emotions; and "fantastic" means imaginary or of very high quality.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors