All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #166 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MAXIMUM
Greatest
Smallest
Funniest
Cutest
Richest
Greatest
The Latin prefix max- means greatest, best. So, the "maximum" is the greatest possible number of something, the largest something can be. "Smallest" is an antonym to "greatest."
Example Question #120 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
REGULATE
Perform
Control
Give
Repeat
Subtract
Control
The Latin prefix regu- means related to rules or law, as in "regime" which means government, a collection of rulers. So, to "regulate" means to enforce the rules, to control the actions of.
Example Question #391 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AVIATOR
Speaker
Pilot
Host
Player
Guest
Pilot
The Latin prefix avia- means bird, as in "aviary" which is a place where birds are kept. So, this problem is a little more confusing than usual, but can still be solved using logic. An "aviator" must have something in common with a "bird," well an "aviator" is a pilot. Pilots and birds can both fly. This happens sometimes with the English language due to the complexity of the origin of some words, but more often than not you can determine the meaning of words using logic and an understanding of prefixes, suffixes, and roots of words.
Example Question #392 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SUBSTANDARD
Grand
Lofty
Poor
Jaunty
Great
Poor
The Latin prefix sub- means under, beneath, as in "submerge" which means to go under water. So, "substandard" means below standard, not good enough, of poor quality. Additionally, "grand" means impressive, magnificent, great; "jaunty" means cheerful, having a good-natured personality.
Example Question #393 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CAPTIVE
Guard
Prisoner
Learner
Assistant
Secretary
Prisoner
The Latin prefix capt- means take, hold, as in "capture" or "intercept." So, a "captive" is someone who is being held against their will, someone who has been taken, a prisoner. "Secretary," "assistant," and "guard" are all jobs. "Learner" is a person who enjoys and is good at learning.
Example Question #394 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GRATIFYING
Using
Pleasing
Helping
Maddening
Deceiving
Pleasing
The Latin prefix grat- means please, pleasing. So, "gratifying" means pleasing, pleasurable, something that makes someone feel good about themselves or happy. To provide additional help, "deceiving" means tricking; "maddening" means something that makes someone angry, frustrating and annoying.
Example Question #395 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PERMEATE
Help
Share
Fall
Spread
Cancel
Spread
The Latin prefix per- means through, throughout, so "permeate" means to spread throughout something. Other examples of per- words are "pervade" which also means to spread throughout and "permanent," which means lasting throughout all time.
Example Question #396 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
INCONSEQUENTIAL
Ineffective
Mysterious
Unchanging
Unimportant
Unsuspicious
Unimportant
"Inconsequential" means not important, therefore "unimportant" is closest in meaning to "inconsequential."
Example Question #397 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CONVERGE
Gratify
Imply
Unite
Debate
Discuss
Unite
The prefix of the word "converge" is "con-", which is a form of the general prefix for "with" or "together," namely "con- / cum- / com- / etc." Whenever things "converge," they come together into a group. For example, you could say, "The people converged on the small town, overwhelming it with their great numbers." This means that the people all came together in the small town.
Only the option "unite" expresses the idea of coming together or of being one group.
Example Question #398 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
COMMEMORATE
Honor
Lionize
Circulate
Entrench
Announce
Honor
The word "commemorate" comes from Latin roots meaning roughly to remember together. The "com-" prefix is a form of "cum-" or "con-" that we find in words like "community," "cumulative," and "congregation." It means together or with. When we commemorate something or someone, we remember that person or thing together as a group. In doing this, we honor that which we commemorate. Think of annual ceremonies that commemorate events like September 11, 2001 (to honor its victims) or the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
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