All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
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
Humanize
Elate
Symbolize
Customize
Aggressive
Symbolize
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
Swift
Productive
Rapid
Renowned
Expensive
Productive
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
Insect feeder
Rat tracker
Insect killer
Rat feeder
Insect tracker
Insect killer
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
Cell phone
Good-humored
English-speaking
Ill-equipped
Fishing trip
English-speaking
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
Prejudice
Sway
Careful
Rescind
Prejudice
"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
Study of writing
Study of man
Study of chemical reactions
Study of language
Study of statistics
Study of writing
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
Fear of old age
Fear of babies
Fear of animals
Fear of spiders
Fear of people
Fear of spiders
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
The study of mankind
The study of art
The study of ants
The study of rock formations
The study of mammals
The study of mankind
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
Self-interest
Self-obsession
Self-serving
Self-sacrifice
Self-loathing
Self-obsession
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
Gaseous
Shapely
Inconsistent
Opaque
Amorphous
Amorphous
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.
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor