ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #91 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

OBJECT

Possible Answers:

Falter

Theorize

Argue

Concur

Project

Correct answer:

Argue

Explanation:

"Ob-" is a prefix that often means against, and "-ject" derives from roots that mean throw. (Other English words that include "-ject" include "inject," "subject," "project," and "reject.") So, it makes sense that "object," when used as a verb, means argue against something and prevent it from proceeding. Conversationally, "objecting" to something is like "throwing yourself" against it to try to stop it or prove it wrong. The word is often used in court when someone wants to stop the proceedings because he or she disagrees with what has been said or how something has been said. "Oppose," which means be against and dispute, is thus the correct answer choice.

As for the other answer choices, “theorize” means to think and suggest why something is; “project,” when used as a verb, means predict or protrude; “concur” means agree; and "falter" means momentarily pause, stumble, or have one's resolve shaken.

Example Question #91 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

COLLABORATE

Possible Answers:

Conversation

Simplicity

Training

Demonstration

Cooperate

Correct answer:

Cooperate

Explanation:

The prefix "co-" means together, "labor" means work, and the suffix "-ate" means make or do,  so it makes sense that "collaborate" means work together, especially on a project. "Cooperate," which also features the prefix "co-" and means work together without causing each other trouble, is thus the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “conversation” is talking with another person; “training” means preparation or working to get better at something; and a “demonstration is an instance of showing how something is done by having someone do it; and "simplicity" is ease or the lack of complication.

Example Question #92 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

OBSCURE

Possible Answers:

Responsive

Unclear

Certain

Assured

Reveal

Correct answer:

Unclear

Explanation:

The prefix "ob-" means against, so it makes sense that "obscure," when used as an adjective, means hard to understand or unknown, making “unclear” the best answer choice. As for the other answer choices, “certain” means sure; “assured” means confident, feeling calm and sure; “responsive” means reacting to stimuli; and “relevant" means pertaining to the subject of something or the matter at hand.

Example Question #93 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

PRESCIENCE

Possible Answers:

Nostalgia

Prowess

Ignorance

Account

Foresight

Correct answer:

Foresight

Explanation:

The prefix "pre-" means coming before, so it makes sense that "prescience" means knowledge about what is coming in the future, or “foresight." As for the other answer choices, “ignorance” means cluelessness or lack of understanding; “nostalgia” is a feeling of fondness about the past; “prowess” means skill; and “account” means story, version of a story told by a specific personledger of money withdrawn and deposited at a bank, or password-protected personal identity on a website.

Example Question #94 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

INCREDIBLE

Possible Answers:

Workable

Edible

Unbelievable

Pardonable

Untouchable

Correct answer:

Unbelievable

Explanation:

The prefix "in-" means not, and "credible" includes the root "cred-," suggesting it has something to do with belief like other words that contain this root, like "incredulous" (surprised at something that seems unbelievable). "Credible" by itself means believable or trustworthy, so it makes sense that "incredible" means not able to be believed or surprising. This means that "unbelievable" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, "untouchable" means unable to be touched; “edible” means able to be eaten; "pardonable" means able to be pardoned or excused; and "workable" means potentially successful or able to be worked with.

Example Question #95 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

IMMOBILIZE

Possible Answers:

Begin

Function

Form

Dissolve

Stop

Correct answer:

Stop

Explanation:

The prefix "im-" means stop or not, and "mobilize" means make able to move or prepare and deploy military troops and units, so it makes sense that "immobilize" means make unable to move or continue. As for the other answer choices, "dissolve" means melt away or, more precisely, put a solid into a liquid solution such that it breaks apart at the molecular level and is no longer visible to the naked eye; “form," when used as a verb, means shape or make; and “function,” when used as a verb, means work.

Example Question #96 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

EUPHORIA

Possible Answers:

Elation

Judgement

Despair

Desolation

District

Correct answer:

Elation

Explanation:

The prefix "eu-" means good, so it makes sense that "euphoria" is a feeling of great happiness; this means that "elation" is the correct answer, as "elation" also means great happiness. A “district” is a distinct area in a larger area, often in a city; “despair” is hopelessness; “desolation" means despondency, loneliness, or emptiness; and “judgement” means an official decision about a disputed issue, often from an authority figure.

Example Question #97 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

EXCEED

Possible Answers:

Defend

Surpass

Surround

Announce

Attack

Correct answer:

Surpass

Explanation:

The prefix "ex-" means outside or beyond, and the "-cede" portion of "exceed" derives from a Latin word that means go, so it makes sense that "exceed" means go beyond or do more than you need to. “Surround” means cover or be all around something; “defend” means look after or protect; and “announce” means declare information publicly for the first time.

Example Question #98 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

REVERT

Possible Answers:

Depose

Respond

Reconsider

Deplete

Return

Correct answer:

Return

Explanation:

The prefix "re-" can mean back or again, and the "-vert" part of "revert" stems from a Latin root that means turn and is found in other English words like "invert," "convert," "divert," and "versus." So, it makes sense that "revert" means go back or return to something one did previously or a state one was in previously. As for the other answer choices, “respond” means answer back; "reconsider" means think about once again or go back on one's initial decision in favor of an option one didn't initially choose; “deplete” means reduce or minimize; and “depose” means get rid of a person in power against that person's will.

Example Question #99 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

REPLICATE

Possible Answers:

Clone

Commune

Mingle

Fold

Force

Correct answer:

Clone

Explanation:

The word replicate has the prefix "re-," which is very useful for figuring out its meaning. This prefix often means again, as we use it in "repeat" and "recede." The portion "-plicate" actually means to fold. Thus, a replication is like a "re-folding" or a "folding back on oneself." Thus, a "replication" is a copy or a clone of something else.

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