ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

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:

Petite

Boring

Shy

Heavy

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:

Lame

Outlawed

Uncertain

Sincere

Enormous

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:

Massive

Poised

Goofy

Heavenly

Permissible

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:

Glee

Keepsake

Heroism

Ancestor

Lineage

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:

Precede

Rotate

Vanish

Contain

Attend

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:

Incoherent

Innocent

Unable

Unfortunate

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 #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:

Instruct

Undress

Spread

Tumble

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:

Ambition

Conversation

Convention

Ideology

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

Example Question #2241 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

SPECTACLE

Possible Answers:

Vow

Hiatus

Display

Tome

Flaw

Correct answer:

Display

Explanation:

The prefix spec- means look. As in, "spectator" which means watcher of a performance or "spectacles" which are glasses. So, a "spectacle" is a display, a visually impressive performance, something worth seeing. Additionally, a "hiatus" is a break; a "vow" is a promise; a "flaw" is a weakness; a "tome" is a long and boring book.

Example Question #64 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

BENEFIT

Possible Answers:

Advantage

Patriotism

Abhorrence

Jeopardy

Caution

Correct answer:

Advantage

Explanation:

The prefix bene- means good. As in, "benevolent" which means good-natured. So, "benefit" means something positive gained from something, an advantage. Additionally, "abhorrence" is hatred; "caution" is the quality of being overly careful; "patriotism" is the love of one's country; "jeopardy" is danger, trouble

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