ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #133 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

VERSATILE

Possible Answers:

Incapable

Viable

Incomprehensible

Adaptable

Portable

Correct answer:

Adaptable

Explanation:

The roots -vers- and -vert- mean turn. As in, "revert" which means turn back, return to a previous state. "Versatile" means adaptable, able to change to suit different environments or situations. It helps to think of it like this "versatile" = able to turn towards a different approach. Additionally, "viable" means workable, capable of being accomplished; "portable" means able to be moved, able to be carried; "incapable" means not capable, not able to do something; "incomprehensible" means not able to be understood. Based on these words what do you think the suffixes -able and -ible mean?

Example Question #134 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

DISMAL

Possible Answers:

Ecstatic

Celebratory

Euphoric

Joyful

Depressing

Correct answer:

Depressing

Explanation:

The root -mal- means bad. It is a very common prefix and appears in words like "malevolent" which means bad natured and "malicious" which means cruel. So, "dismal" must mean something bad. All of these answer choices describe a state of happiness, except "depressing" which means very sad. "Dismal" means depressing, gloomy, dark.

Example Question #135 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

CONVEY

Possible Answers:

Tumble

Transport

Whine

Stare

Mumble

Correct answer:

Transport

Explanation:

The roots -vey- and -vect- mean carry, move. So, to "convey" means to move from one place to another. This is identical in meaning to "transport." Additionally, "whine" means complain about; "stare" means look at intensely; "tumble" means trip, fall over; "mumble" means whisper, talk quietly, talk in a way that is hard to understand.

Example Question #136 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

ENAMORED

Possible Answers:

Momentous

Alleviated

Frustrated

Circumstantial

Captivated

Correct answer:

Captivated

Explanation:

The root -amor- means love, friend. So, "enamored" means in love with, obsessed with. This is closest in meaning to "captivated" which means fascinated by, attracted to, in love with. Additionally, "momentous" means massive, of great importance; "frustrated" means annoyed, irritated; "alleviated" means (of pain) made better, soothed; "circumstantial" means (of evidence) indirect, only partially relevant or applicable

Example Question #137 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

CLARIFY

Possible Answers:

Salvage

Explain

Hesitate

Occupy

Inquire

Correct answer:

Explain

Explanation:

The prefix clar- means clear and the suffix -ify means to make into. So, to "clarify" something means to make it clear, to make it able to be understood. This is closest in meaning to "explain." Additionally, "salvage" means rescue, save, particularly save from being thrown away; "hesitate" means delay, pause; "inquire" means ask about, question; "occupy" means take up the space of

Example Question #138 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

VISIBLE

Possible Answers:

Acute

Dense

Parallel

Obtuse

Clear

Correct answer:

Clear

Explanation:

The prefix vis- means see, sight and the suffix -ible means able to be. So, "visible" means able to be seen. This is closest in meaning to "clear." Additionally, "dense" means thick; "acute" can mean sharp, clever or severe, intense or it can describe an angle in mathematics that is less than ninety-degrees; "obtuse" can mean stupid, not clever or it can describe an angle in mathematics that is more than ninety-degrees, but less than one-hundred-and-eighty-degrees; "parallel" means in line with, a line that runs alongside another line.

Example Question #139 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

INCISION

Possible Answers:

Muscle

Wound

Cut

Brain

Bone

Correct answer:

Cut

Explanation:

The root -cis- means cut. As in "concise" which means cut to the point, exactly to the point. So, an "incision" is a cut made in something.

Example Question #140 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

PROPEL

Possible Answers:

Donate

Replace

Pull

Gather

Push

Correct answer:

Push

Explanation:

The prefix pro- means push and the suffix -pel means forward, through. So, to "propel" means to push forward or simply to push. Additionally, "gather" means collect; "replace" means get a new version of something else, take the old place of; "donate" means give to (charity).

Example Question #1201 : Synonyms

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

CONTRADICT

Possible Answers:

Vend

Move

Vent

Argue

Waver

Correct answer:

Argue

Explanation:

The prefix contra- means against and the suffix -dict means speak. So, to "contradict" means to speak against, to argue. Additionally, "vent" means express frustration, let off steam; "vend" means sell; "waver" means to be unsure of oneself and frequently be changing one's mind

Example Question #1202 : Synonyms

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

INANIMATE

Possible Answers:

Lifeless

Frail

Horrendous

Lethal

Painstaking

Correct answer:

Lifeless

Explanation:

The prefix in- means not and the root -anima- means life. So, "inanimate" means not living, lifeless, devoid of life. Additionally, "horrendous" means terrible; "painstaking" means done with careful attention to detail; "lethal" means deadly; "frail" means weak, sick.

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