All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #141 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
PSEUDONYM
Nickname
Nominate
Nihilist
Neophyte
Novelty
Nickname
The prefix "pseudo-" means pretend or fake and "nym" (more commonly "nom") means related to names, so a “pseudonym” is a fake name or a “nickname.” To provide further help, a “novelty” is something new or different; a “neophyte” is a beginner; “nominate” means to name for a position; a “nihilist” is someone who rejects the idea that life has meaning.
Example Question #141 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HYPERBOLE
Overwhelming
Disappointment
Understatement
Overstatement
Underwhelming
Overstatement
The prefix "hyper-" usually means super, excessive, or a lot of, so “hyperbole” is the literary device of dramatically overstating something. To provide further help, “overwhelming” means overpowering, too much, or extremely large, and “underwhelming” means too little or disappointing. Notice how the prefixes "hyper-" and "over-" are similar to one another, and opposites of the prefix "under-."
Example Question #142 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AMORPHOUS
Formless
Hopeless
Solidified
Converted
Aimless
Formless
The word fragment "morph" refers to form or shape,and the prefix "a-" means without,so “amorphous” means without form, or formless. To provide further help, “aimless” means without direction or purpose, and “hopeless” means without love. (Observe the meaning of the suffix "-less"—without.) "Converted" means changed from one thing to another; and "solidified" means having attained a solid shape or strengthened.
Example Question #143 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
BIOLOGICAL
Sleepy
Alive
Biology
Math
Alive
The word "biological" refers to living things. The best choice is "alive" as it is a part of the definition of "biological." Considering the other choices, "math" refers to mathematical operations, "biology" is a branch of science concerned with living creatures, and "sleepy" means exhausted or tired.
Example Question #144 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
APATHETIC
Partial
Argumentative
Understanding
Concerned
Indifferent
Indifferent
"Apathetic" is an adjective that means "showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "unconcerned." "Concerned" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "concerned" is an antonym of "unconcerned." "Indifferent," however, is an adjective that can mean "having no particular interest or sympathy; unconcerned," and because it is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "apathetic," "indifferent" is the correct answer.
Example Question #145 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
ANTISOCIAL
Extraneous
Implacable
Inconsiderate
Outlying
Parsimonious
Inconsiderate
Someone who is “social” is good with people or enjoys talking to people. The prefix "anti-" is a negation prefix; it causes the new word to have the opposite meaning to the original. So “antisocial” means not social or not considerate, which makes the correct answer “inconsiderate.” Someone who is “inconsiderate” is not kind or not able to think about other people’s feelings. The the prefix "in-" functions similarly to the prefix "anti-" and negates the meaning of the original word. To provide further help, “implacable” means merciless, unstoppable; “parsimonious” means not generous with money; “outlying” means remote or unusual; “extraneous” means not needed.
Example Question #146 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
ARCHENEMY
Bellow
Nomad
Catastrophe
Rival
Debris
Rival
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 #147 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DYNAMIC
Despondent
Active
Vacant
Inert
Dominant
Active
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 #11 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MICROSCOPIC
Massive
Tiny
Gorgeous
Susceptible
Immune
Tiny
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
Hopeless
Selfless
Helpless
Selfish
Hopeful
Selfish
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.