All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #46 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
NOVELTY
Entertainment
Size
Newness
Fortune
Age
Newness
The root "nov" comes from Latin and means new or begin, so it makes sense that "novelty" means "newness." "Age" means the span of time for which someone or something has existed; "size" refers to the amount of physical space something or someone takes up; "entertainment" is something intended to amuse; and "fortune" can either refer to a large amount of money owned by one person or luck.
Example Question #47 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PEDESTRIAN
Driver
Responder
Pilot
Transporter
Walker
Walker
The root "ped" comes from Latin and means related to feet or walking; you can see it used in words like "pedal" and "impediment" and it is similar to the "pod-" one sees in the word "podiatrist," or doctor who specializes in treating patients' feet. Given this, it makes sense that a "pedestrian" is someone who is walking, usually by the side of a road. A “responder” is someone who answers something, such as a call; a “transporter” is someone who moves something from one place to another; and a “pilot” is someone who flies a plane.
Example Question #48 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PERSIST
Desist
Conclude
Delay
Continue
Resist
Continue
The root "per" can throughout and is seen in words like "perfuse" (spread gradually throughout an entire thing), so it makes sense that "persist" means continue throughout a long period of time or in other words, keep going. "Continue" is thus the best answer. “Desist” means stop, or hold back from; “conclude” means finish; “delay” means cause to be set to commence until some point of time in the future; and “resist” means to not let something happen or to fight back.
Example Question #49 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
NOTABLE
Audible
Responsible
Edible
Insignificant
Important
Important
The root "note" comes from Latin and usually relates to being important, as in words like "noteworthy" and phrases like "of note," both of which mean important. Thus, it makes sense that "notable" also means "important." “Insignificant” means not important; “responsible” means able to be trusted to do the right thing or mature; “edible” means able to be eaten; “audible” means able to be heard.
Example Question #50 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
COMPEL
Deride.
Imitate
Force
Encourage
Suppress
Force
The Latin root "-pel" means force or drive and is found in English words like "dispel" (drive away or eliminate a bad feeling, especially uncertainty) and "repel" (to physically force back and away—think of what "mosquito repellant" accomplishes). Given this, it makes sense that "compel" means force someone to do something. “Deride” means mock, “imitate” means copy; “suppress” means subdue or curb; and "encourage" means support someone's actions and in doing so, suggest that he or she begin or continue those actions.
Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BENIGN
Helpful
Harmful
Horrific
Harmless
Helpful
Harmless
The root "ben" means good, so it makes sense that "benign" means not harmful, not dangerous, or "harmless." As for the other answer choices, “harmful” means causing damage; “helpless” means unable to help oneself; “helpful” means kind and providing assistance; and “horrific” means shocking and terrible.
Example Question #251 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CHRONOLOGICAL
Timely
Sequential
Inherent
Irreversible
Malleable
Sequential
The "chron-" part of "chronological" comes from a Latin word meaning time, so it makes sense that “chronological” means arranged in the order in which events happened. This is very close to the meaning of the word “sequential,” which means happening in a defined sequence. As for the other answer choices, “irreversible” means not able to be changed back or reversed; “malleable” means flexible, bendable, and able to be molded; "timely" means well-timed or appropriate; and “inherent” means natural or inborn.
Example Question #252 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LIBERATE
Free
Enslave
Entrap
Rejoice
Barter
Free
"Liber-" derives from Latin roots meaning free, so it makes sense that with the "-ate" suffix added, which means to do or make, "liberate" means set free from some kind of oppression. This means that "free" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “enslave” means to make into a slave; “entrap” means capture; “rejoice” means celebrate or express happiness about something that happened; and “barter” means to trade one thing for another so as to conduct business without money.
Example Question #251 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ELOQUENT
Incessant
Nomadic
Terminal
Well-spoken
Artistic
Well-spoken
The root "loq" means speak or talk and is found in other words like "loquacious" (talkative), "interlocutor" (someone with whom you have a conversation) and "elocution" (diction). Thus, it makes sense that someone who is "eloquent" is able to speak well and beautifully, making "well-spoken" the correct answer.
As for the other answer choices, “artistic” means creative and talented in making art; “nomadic” means wandering and not living permanently in one place; “incessant” means unrelenting; and “terminal” means final or concluding.
Example Question #252 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MALICIOUS
Serene
Nasty
Grateful
Humorous
Embarrassed
Nasty
The Latin root "mal" means bad or not, so it makes sense that "malicious" means cruel and wanting to cause pain and suffering. "Nasty" is thus the correct answer, as the word can be used to mean mean-spirited and hurtful when describing people As for the other answer choices, “grateful” means thankful for things you have been given; “humorous” means funny; “serene” means quiet and peaceful; and "embarrassed" means slightly ashamed, especially due to something one's actions in front of other people.
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