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 #21 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

IMMORAL

Possible Answers:

eternal

tenuous

wicked

deathless

Correct answer:

wicked

Explanation:

The word "immoral" is best recognized by looking at its parts: "im" + "moral." The "im-" is a prefix meaning not. Generally, this prefix is of the form "i-," though it often adds the consonant that starts the base word—as in "immoral." The word "moral" means either dealing with ethical matters or good, as in someone who is actually ethical. An "immoral" person is someone who lacks such good character and therefore might be called "wicked," which is the best option among those provided. Note: do not confuse "immoral" with "immortal," which means not able to die.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

MINUSCULE

Possible Answers:

Scientific

Small

Quantifiable

Unmotivated

Measured

Correct answer:

Small

Explanation:

Something that is "minuscule" is very small. Therefore, "small" is the correct answer.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

ABNORMAL

Possible Answers:

Desired

Unusual

Fascinating

Antagonistic

Hopeful

Correct answer:

Unusual

Explanation:

"Abnormal" means unusual or out of the ordinary. Therefore, "unusual" is the synonym.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

INCESSANT

Possible Answers:

Monetary

Continuous

Clean

Impure

Correct answer:

Continuous

Explanation:

The word "incessant" means continuing without interruption. The best choice is "continuing" because it is a part of the definition of "incessant." Considering the other choices, "monetary" means pertaining to money, "clean" means unstained, and "impure" means not pure or adulterated.

Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

INDELIBLE

Possible Answers:

Itinerant

Permanent

Opaque

Transitory

Translucent

Correct answer:

Permanent

Explanation:

“Indelible” means unable to be removed, permanent. To provide further guidance, "transitory" means not permanent or lasting; "translucent" means letting light through a little, as opposed to "opaque," which means an object that does not let any light pass through. Finally, "itinerant" means wandering, not fixed to one home or spot.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

ANTEDILUVIAN

Possible Answers:

prehistoric

postmodern

poststructuralist

epilogue

prologue

Correct answer:

prehistoric

Explanation:

As we have previously seen ante- means before, preceding, so the correct definition of “antediluvian” is  prehistoric, literally from the time before the biblical flood. To provide further help, “postmodern” and “poststructuralist” refer to a contemporary way of looking at art and human behavior that focuses on deconstruction and self-conscious examination; a “prologue” is the beginning chapter of a story; an “epilogue” comes after the story. Make observations about the various pronouns used here, pre-, post-, pro-, epi-, and see what you can determine about how they relate to their various definitions.

Example Question #26 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

POSTHUMOUS

Possible Answers:

after adolescence

after death

after sickness

after embarrassment

after birth

Correct answer:

after death

Explanation:

The prefix post- means after, and the word “posthumous” means after death. When an award is given to someone after they have died, we say that it is awarded “posthumously.”

Example Question #27 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

ULTRASONIC

Possible Answers:

Low frequency

High frequency 

High temperature

Low temperature

High pressure 

Correct answer:

High frequency 

Explanation:

The prefix "ultra-" usually means beyond or extreme, and indeed “ultrasonic” means operating at an extremely high frequency. To help you, “temperature” is the numerical measurement of how warm or cool it is; “frequency” is the measurement of wavelengths or how often something occurs; and “pressure” is the measurement of a certain amount of force applied over a certain area.

Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

POSTMORTEM

Possible Answers:

After childhood

After death 

After school

After adolescence 

Afterward

Correct answer:

After death 

Explanation:

The prefix "post-" means after and "mort" means having to do with death, so the word “postmortem” means after death. To provide further help, “adolescence” is another word for teenage-years. 

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

PRECURSORY

Possible Answers:

Metropolitan

Covert

Despicable

Initial

Cumbersome

Correct answer:

Initial

Explanation:

The prefix pre- means before, so the word “precursory” means occurring before other things, the starting point, or “initial.” To provide further help, “metropolitan” means relating to city life, diverse and multi-cultural; “covert” means sneaky or hidden; “cumbersome” means heavy or burdensome; “despicable” means evil or wicked

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors