ISEE Middle Level Verbal : ISEE Middle Level (grades 7-8) Verbal Reasoning

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

ARCHENEMY

Possible Answers:

Rival 

Catastrophe 

Nomad 

Debris 

Bellow 

Correct answer:

Rival 

Explanation:

You likely know that “enemy” is similar in meaning to “rival,” so the key to answering this question is to understand how the prefix "arch-" changes the meaning of the word “enemy.” In this instance, the meaning is unchanged. "Arch-" means chief or primary, so your “archenemy” is your biggest enemy or rival. To provide further help, “bellow” means to yell; “debris” is the fallen parts of things after they are broken; a “nomad” is someone who wanders from place to place without making a home; “catastrophe” means disaster.

Example Question #142 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

DYNAMIC

Possible Answers:

Despondent

Dominant

Inert

Active

Vacant

Correct answer:

Active

Explanation:

The Greek root "dynam" means energy, so the word “dynamic” means having energy, exciting, or “active.” “Vacant” means unoccupied; “inert” means lifeless and having no energy; "dominant” means in control and in charge; and "despondent" means very sad and pessimistic.

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

MICROSCOPIC

Possible Answers:

Immune

Gorgeous

Massive

Susceptible

Tiny

Correct answer:

Tiny

Explanation:

The Greek prefix micro- means very small, as in "microscope" which is a tool used to look at things that are very small. So, "microscopic" means tiny, very, very small. To provide additional help, "susceptible" means vulnerable, at risk; "immune" is an antonym of "susceptible" it means not vulnerable, cannot be affected by (usually a disease); "massive" means very large; "gorgeous" means beautiful, attractive.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

EGOTISTICAL

Possible Answers:

Selfless

Helpless

Hopeful

Hopeless

Selfish

Correct answer:

Selfish

Explanation:

The Greek prefix ego- means self. So, someone who is "egotistical" is self-centered, selfish. Additionally, "selfless" means not selfish, generous; "helpless" means not able to be helped.

Example Question #152 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

DILEMMA

Possible Answers:

Medicine

Suggestion

Notion

Solution

Problem

Correct answer:

Problem

Explanation:

The Greek prefix di- means two. So, a "dilemma" is a problem with two possible solutions, a predicament, a quandary. To provide additional help, a "notion" is an idea or a feeling; a "suggestion" is an idea expressed to help someone with a problem

Example Question #421 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

ARCHAIC

Possible Answers:

Recessive

Impressive

Obsolete

Domineering

Confounding

Correct answer:

Obsolete

Explanation:

The Greek prefix arch- can have two meanings. It either means chief as in "monarch" or ancient, old-fashioned as in "archaic." "Archaic" means old-fashioned and out of date, obsolete, no longer needed or used. To provide additional help, "impressive" means inspiring admiration, making people impressed; "domineering" means bossy, dominating, in-charge; "confounding" means confusing, bewildering; "recessive" means (of a gene) not dominant, hidden

Example Question #422 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

MISNOMER

Possible Answers:

Follower

Answer

Leader

Speaker

Error

Correct answer:

Error

Explanation:

The Greek prefix mis- means wrong, bad, as in "mistake" which means error. A "misnomer" is an inaccurate name, an error in naming something. So, the best possible answer is "error." You might also notice the root word -nom- which often means name. So, simply a "misnomer" is a wrong name, an error in naming

Example Question #423 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

MELANCHOLY

Possible Answers:

Ecstasy

Bliss

Elation

Sadness

Joy

Correct answer:

Sadness

Explanation:

The Greek prefix melan- means black, dark, so "melancholy" means a dark mood, sadness, depression, misery. Additionally, the other four answer choices all mean deep happiness

Example Question #424 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

OPTICAL

Possible Answers:

Smell

Touch

Hearing

Taste

Sight

Correct answer:

Sight

Explanation:

The Greek prefix opt- means eyes, sight, or related to sight. So, "optical" means of or relating to sight. The synonym here is not perfect, but sometimes you have to find the answer that is "closest" to the word in question. 

Example Question #425 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

PATERNITY

Possible Answers:

Sisterhood

Brotherhood

Fatherhood

Maternity

Motherhood

Correct answer:

Fatherhood

Explanation:

The Greek prefix pater- means father, so "paternity" means fatherhood. The Greek prefix mater- means mother, so "maternity" means motherhood. Another example of a pater- word is "patriarch" which refers to a man in charge of a group.

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