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

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #29 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

ABYSS

Possible Answers:

Hopeless

Bottomless

Timeless

Thankless

Helpless

Correct answer:

Bottomless

Explanation:

The Greek prefix a- means without, so "abyss" means without a bottom, bottomless, a void, a chasm. To provide further help, "timeless" means not fixed in any era, always fashionable and appropriate; "thankless" refers to a task that no-one wants to do because it is little appreciated.

Example Question #30 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

DIALOGUE

Possible Answers:

Commiseration

Competition

Conversation

Condescension

Confrontation

Correct answer:

Conversation

Explanation:

The Greek prefix dia- means through, between, across, so "dialogue" means a conversation between two people. Another example of a dia- word is "diameter" which refers to a line that goes from one side of a circle to another, the passes across and through the circle. To provide additional help, "commiseration" is showing sympathy for someone's sadness, joining someone in sadness; "condescension" is talking down to someone in an arrogant way; a "confrontation" is a fight.

Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

PHYSICIAN

Possible Answers:

Doctor

Teacher

Helper

Lawyer

Politician

Correct answer:

Doctor

Explanation:

The Greek prefix phys- means related to nature, the human body, and medicine. So a "physician" is a doctor. Another example of a phys- word is "physical," which means relating to the body or to movement.

Example Question #161 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

BESTOW

Possible Answers:

Confer

Describe

Request

Enthrall

Meander

Correct answer:

Confer

Explanation:

“Bestow” means to give or present something to someone. In this sense, it is most similar to the answer choice “confer,” which means to give an award, to present something. To provide further help, “request” means ask for; “enthrall” means captivate and charm; “meander” describes the indirect, side-to-side movement of something, like a river.

Example Question #162 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters.

OUTFOX

Possible Answers:

Defend to the death

Get the better of

Last longer than

Fall over

Learn to read

Correct answer:

Get the better of

Explanation:

To "outfox" means to outwit or to get the better of someone. For example, one might write, “He outfoxed his opponent and emerged victorious.”

Example Question #163 : 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.

BEHOOVE

Possible Answers:

Be fitting 

Be useless

Be unnecessary

Be insipid 

Be required 

Correct answer:

Be fitting 

Explanation:

"Behoove" means be fitting, right or appropriate. For example, one might say that it behooves you to study hard for the ISEE Verbal section. So, "be fitting" is the correct answer. To help you, "required" means needed, and "insipid" means dull or bland.

Example Question #164 : 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.

BEDEVIL

Possible Answers:

Threaten

Curse

Harass

Forage

Correct answer:

Harass

Explanation:

To "bedevil" means harass. The best choice is "harass," which means disturb repeatedly. Considering the other choices, "curse" means wish evil upon something, "forage" means search for, and "threaten" means promise danger towards something or someone.

Example Question #165 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

BEDECK

Possible Answers:

Inquire 

Dispute 

Festoon 

Apprehend 

Puncture 

Correct answer:

Festoon 

Explanation:

The prefix "be-" means to make, to do and “bedeck” means to decorate, to make something look festive. This is close in meaning to “festoon.” To provide further help, “puncture” means pierce; “dispute” means argue against; “inquire” means ask after; “apprehend” means catch or arrest

Example Question #166 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

FOREBODE

Possible Answers:

Praise

Collect

Gesticulate

Warn

Befriend

Correct answer:

Warn

Explanation:

The Old English prefix fore- means before, in front of, coming before, as in "forecast" which is a prediction of future events. So, "forebode" means to warn of, to herald, to foreshadow. To provide additional help, "befriend" means to make friends with; "gesticulate" means gesture to, motion about, to use dramatic body movements to express an idea

Example Question #167 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

BEDECK

Possible Answers:

Puncture 

Inquire 

Apprehend 

Dispute 

Festoon 

Correct answer:

Festoon 

Explanation:

The prefix "be-" means to make, to do and “bedeck” means to decorate, to make something look festive. This is close in meaning to “festoon.” To provide further help, “puncture” means pierce; “dispute” means argue against; “inquire” means ask after; “apprehend” means catch or arrest

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors