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 #17 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin

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

PERSONIFY

Possible Answers:

Humanize

Elate

Symbolize

Customize

Aggressive

Correct answer:

Symbolize

Explanation:

Notice the little ending on the word "personify." The "-fy" suffix is part of a large family of suffixes and "infixes" (little parts that come inside of words) such as "-fication," "-fac-," and so forth. In general, "-fy" means to do or to make. To "personify" something is to make it a person. Okay, that is a bit strange. But what it means is that one thing makes another thing present in some way. It represents that other thing. Thus, if we say, "Peter personified the very essence of greed," this means that Peter made present the very essence of greed in his person. Thus, "symbolize" is an excellent option.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

EFFICIENT

Possible Answers:

Swift

Productive

Rapid

Renowned

Expensive

Correct answer:

Productive

Explanation:

We tend to think of efficient people as being quick at what they do. This is often the case, but the word "efficient" is above all about being able to get things done. It comes from the same Latin root from which we get the suffix "-fy" / "-fication" and several other related forms. All of these mean to do or make. Thus, it is best to use the word "efficient" to refer to someone who is "productive." If a project is just very slow-going, an efficient person may therefore move slowly through the work. However, so long as he or she does it in a productive manner, he or she deserves to be called "efficient."

Example Question #191 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

PESTICIDE

Possible Answers:

Insect feeder

Rat tracker

Insect killer

Rat feeder

Insect tracker

Correct answer:

Insect killer

Explanation:

The suffix "-cide" means related to killing and the prefix "pest-" means related to pests, such as insects or rats. In this instance, since there is no option for “rat killer” the correct answer is “insect killer.”

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

ANGLOPHONE

Possible Answers:

Cell phone

Good-humored

English-speaking

Ill-equipped

Fishing trip

Correct answer:

English-speaking

Explanation:

An "anglophone" is someone who speaks English. The prefix anglo- always suggets at a relationship between the word and England, and the suffix -phone relates to language or speaking. To provide further help, "ill-equipped" means not prepared.

Example Question #463 : 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.

XENOPHOBIA

Possible Answers:

Prejudice

Sway

Careful

Rescind

Correct answer:

Prejudice

Explanation:

"Xenophobia" is unreasonable hatred of strangers or foreigners. The best choice is "prejudice" because it means unreasonable feelings, typically negative, towards a particular thing, person, or group. Considering the other choices, "rescind" means take back, "sway" means move back and forth, and "careful" means cautious.

Example Question #464 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

GRAPHOLOGY

Possible Answers:

Study of writing

Study of man

Study of chemical reactions

Study of language

Study of statistics

Correct answer:

Study of writing

Explanation:

The prefix "graph-" means writing and the suffix "-ology" means study of, so “graphology” is the study of writing.

Example Question #192 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

ARACHNOPHOBIA

Possible Answers:

Fear of old age

Fear of babies

Fear of animals

Fear of spiders

Fear of people

Correct answer:

Fear of spiders

Explanation:

The suffix "-phobia" means fear of and the prefix "arachno-" means related to spiders, so “arachnophobia” is a fear of spiders.

Example Question #193 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

ANTHROPOLOGY

Possible Answers:

The study of mankind

The study of art 

The study of ants

The study of rock formations

The study of mammals 

Correct answer:

The study of mankind

Explanation:

The root "anthro-" or "andro­-" means having to do with man. Also, the suffix "-ology" means the study of (something), so we can assume correctly that “anthropology” is the study of mankind.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Greek

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

EGOMANIA

Possible Answers:

Self-interest

Self-obsession

Self-serving

Self-sacrifice

Self-loathing

Correct answer:

Self-obsession

Explanation:

The Latin root "ego" means self, and the suffix "-mania" means excessive or madness, so “egomania” is excessive love of oneself, or “self-obsession.” “Self-loathing” is hating oneself; “self-interest” is what one wants, without caring about how others feel; “self-serving” means having concern for one’s own prosperity and interests above others; and “self-sacrifice” is the opposite of “self-serving” and “self-interest"; it means placing other people's needs and desires above one's own.

Example Question #194 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

FORMLESS

Possible Answers:

Gaseous

Shapely

Inconsistent

Opaque

Amorphous

Correct answer:

Amorphous

Explanation:

Stay as close as possible to the original word, for there are many tempting wrong answers. When something is "formless," it has no definite shape. This certainly is the case for "gaseous" things (since they are "gas like"). Also, "inconsistent" speech is lacking the general form that speech should have. That is, it lacks proper consistency. The word "amorphous" literally means without form. The word "morph" means take on a new form or shape. The prefix "a-" means without, as in "atypical," meaning not typical or without features that are typical.

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