ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #153 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

PORTER

Possible Answers:

driver

guard

waiter

doorman

protector

Correct answer:

doorman

Explanation:

The prefix or root word "port-" means related to moving or transporting, so a “porter” is another name for a doorman.” For example, the person who collects your bags and holds the door for you at a hotel is considered a "porter." To provide further help, a “protector” is someone who defends someone else.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Using Suffixes To Identify Synonyms

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

GRATEFUL

Possible Answers:

Wishful

Thankful

Helpful

Beneficial

Sorrowful

Correct answer:

Thankful

Explanation:

The Latin root "grat" means pleasing and is found in other English words like "gratitude" (thankfulness), "gratuity" (a tip given to a service worker to demonstrate your satisfaction as a customer) and "ingrate" (someone who is not thankful for something for which he or she should be thankful). The suffix "-ful" usually means full of (some emotion). Thus, it makes sense that “grateful” means pleased by and thankful for something. For example, if you had to move a lot of heavy furniture into a building that had no elevator, you would probably be very grateful if any of your friends offered to help you move.

Example Question #1221 : Synonyms

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

FLEXIBLE

Possible Answers:

Bendable

Rough

Stable

Rigid

Stern

Correct answer:

Bendable

Explanation:

"Flex" means bend and the suffix "-ible" means able to be, so "flexible" means able to bend or be bent easily, and "bendable" is the correct answer. “Rigid” is the opposite of “flexible"; it means strong, sturdy, and unable to have its shape changed easily; “stern” means very strict; “stable” means steady or unchanging; and "rough" means having a coarse and grating texture.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Using Suffixes To Identify Synonyms

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

INSPECT

Possible Answers:

Look

Laugh

Love

Smile

Argue

Correct answer:

Look

Explanation:

The suffix -spec means look so to "inspect" something is to look at it. "Love" is an emotion, and is not related on word level to "inspect." "Smile" and "laugh" are both things that you might do while inspecting something, but they're not actually related to the word in anything but an incidental way.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Using Suffixes To Identify Synonyms

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

INCURABLE

Possible Answers:

Edible

Brainy

Envious

Deadly

Probable

Correct answer:

Deadly

Explanation:

The prefix in- means not and the suffix -able means able to be. So, "incurable" means unable to be cured. This is closest in meaning to "deadly." Additionally, "probable" means likely; "edible" means able to be eaten; "envious" means jealous, wanting something that someone else has; "brainy" means clever

Example Question #1222 : Synonyms

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

AGITATOR

Possible Answers:

Guardian

Demonstrator

Moderator

Troublemaker

Protestor

Correct answer:

Troublemaker

Explanation:

The suffix -ator means person who does. As in "protestor," which means person who protests or "demonstrator," which means a person who demonstrates against. These two words are synonyms. So, an "agitator" is someone who agitates. To "agitate" means to disturb, to cause trouble. The correct answer is therefore "troublemaker." Additionally, a "moderator" is someone who oversees a debate; a "guardian" is a protector, someone who protects.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Using Suffixes To Identify Synonyms

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

ATHEIST

Possible Answers:

Deity

Agnostic

Nonbeliever

Editor

Fanatic

Correct answer:

Nonbeliever

Explanation:

The prefix a- means not and the suffix -theist means God. So, an "atheist" is someone who does not believe in God. This is closest in meaning to "nonbeliever." Additionally, a "deity" is a God; an "agnostic" is someone who is unsure as to whether or not God exists; a "fanatic" is someone who follows something passionately; an "editor" is a person who edits and makes decisions regarding the content of things like newspapers and magazines.

Example Question #1223 : Synonyms

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

PURIFY

Possible Answers:

Detract

Dirty

Clean

Revere

Improve

Correct answer:

Clean

Explanation:

The suffix -ify means to make into. So, "purify" means to make pure. This is closest in meaning to "clean." Additionally, "revere" means deeply respect and admire; "improve" means make better; "detract" means take away from

Example Question #1224 : Synonyms

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

WORTHLESS

Possible Answers:

Abrupt

Unimportant

Inexpensive

Materialistic

Homely

Correct answer:

Unimportant

Explanation:

The suffix -less means without. As in, "hopeless" which means without hope. So, "worthless" means without worth. Which is closest in definition to "unimportant." Other synonyms include "insignificant" and "useless." Additionally, "inexpensive" means not expensive; "homely" means unattractive, plain in appearance; "abrupt" means happening suddenly and unexpectedly; "materialistic" means overly worried about image, money and looks. Based on these words what do you think the prefixes un- and in- mean? 

Example Question #1225 : Synonyms

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

CONCLUDE

Possible Answers:

Radiate

Commence

Harass

Finish

Beam

Correct answer:

Finish

Explanation:

The suffix -clud means close. As in "reclusive" which describes someone who likes to be closed indoors away from others. So, "conclude" means to bring to a close, to finish. Additionally, "commence" means begin; "beam" means smile widely; "harass" means annoy, irritate, pester, bother; "radiate" means emit, give off (energy).

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