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 #2 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Anglo Saxon

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

LOATHSOME

Possible Answers:

Senile

Hateful

Brilliant

Joyful

Sleazy

Correct answer:

Hateful

Explanation:

"Loathsome" means deserving of hatred or repulsive, so "hateful" is the correct answer, as "hateful" can mean deserving hatred. To help you, "senile" means physically and/or mentally weakened with age, someone who is "sleazy" is gross and immoral, and "joyful" means very happy.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Anglo Saxon

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

CHURLISH

Possible Answers:

Solid

Childish

Pampered

Rude

Argumentative

Correct answer:

Rude

Explanation:

"Churlish" means rude. The best choice is "rude" since it is a part of the definition of "churlish." Considering the other choices, "childish" means immature, "congealed" means changed into a solid state, and "fusty" means old-fashioned.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Anglo Saxon

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

SELFLESS

Possible Answers:

Dominating

Appalling

Accredited

Frank

Considerate

Correct answer:

Considerate

Explanation:

The suffix "-less" means lacking, so "selfless" means concerned with the needs of others and not selfish, making “considerate" the correct answer. “Appalling” means disgusting, horrendous, or dreadful; “dominating” means in control; “accredited” means officially recognized or given credit for; and “frank” means candid and honest.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Other Languages

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

SPECIFY

Possible Answers:

Suggest

Identify

Generalize

Recognize

Fake

Correct answer:

Identify

Explanation:

The word "specify" is related to the word "species." Although we use this in biology to discuss particular classes of animals, the word "species" has a broader definition that comes from its use in logic. When we talk about a general class of things, we call that its "genus." (We do this in biology as well.) The members of that general class are its "species." They are "specific" members—you can see how all of these words are related. When something is "specified," it is pointed out, or made specific and thus can be said to be "identified." This is the best option among those provided. Do not be tricked by "recognize," which is close in meaning to this but not exactly the same. Something can be recognized without being specifically identified.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Other Languages

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

NOTIFY

Possible Answers:

Instill

Provide

Rest

Bother

Inform

Correct answer:

Inform

Explanation:

"Notify" is a verb meaning inform or bring to the attention of, so the answer choice closest in meaning is "inform" a verb that means notify. Considering the other choices, none are close in meaning to "notify": "bother," when used as a verb, means annoy; "rest," when used as a verb, means relax and take a break in order to regain energy; and "provide" means give.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Roots

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

AQUEDUCT

Possible Answers:

Transmission

Solubility

Container

Conduit 

Pool

Correct answer:

Conduit 

Explanation:

The root "aqua" refers to water, and the suffix "-duct" refers to something that carries something else, so an “aqueduct” is a pipe that carries drinking water from a source to a population center. Another word for something that carries things from one place to another is a “conduit.” To provide further help, "solubility" is how well a substance dissolves in water or another solute, a "transmission" is the transferral of something from one place to another; a "container" is something used to store or hold something else; and a "pool" is a small artificial body of water used for recreational swimming.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

MEMENTO

Possible Answers:

Heretical 

Rancorous 

Catchphrase 

Reminder 

Insistence

Correct answer:

Reminder 

Explanation:

A "memento" is a souvenir or a reminder of past events, so "reminder" is the correct answer. To help you, a "catchphrase" is a repeated saying associated with an individual or a character, "rancorous" means unforgiving or angry, and "heretical" means dissenting from the popular or traditional opinion, unorthodox, or going against established religious ideas.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

BENEDICTION

Possible Answers:

Dystopia

Utopia 

Blessing 

Euphemism 

Curse 

Correct answer:

Blessing 

Explanation:

A "benediction" is a blessing, so "blessing" is the correct answer. To provide further help, a "euphemism" is a word or phrase used in place of a rude or offensive term, a "utopia" is an ideal paradise, whereas a "dystopia" is a world in which everything has gone wrong and the opposite of a "utopia."

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

SCRIPTURE

Possible Answers:

Victorian writings

Impossible equations 

Biblical writings 

Mathematical equations

Scientific writings 

Correct answer:

Biblical writings 

Explanation:

The prefix "script-" refers to writing and is related to the suffix "scribe," such as in “inscribe” or “transcribe.” “Scripture” commonly refers to Biblical writings

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

ANACHRONISM

Possible Answers:

Diatribe 

Monument 

Hypothesis 

Testament 

Relic 

Correct answer:

Relic 

Explanation:

"Chron-" refers to time or the passage of time, so an “anachronism” is something from a previous period of history or something out of its time. Its former meaning is closest in definition to a “relic,” which is an object left over from the past. To provide further help, a “testament” is evidence; a “monument” is something built to remember a great person or event; a “hypothesis” is an idea or theory that requires investigation; a “diatribe” is an angry verbal attack.

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