All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
COMPILE
Organize
Fetch
Collide
Disperse
Inhabit
Organize
"Compile" means collect into a volume or a list, so "organize" would be the best choice here. "Disperse," meaning scatter, has the opposite meaning.
Example Question #52 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
ENCAPSULATE
Medicine
Include
Exclude
Tablet
Organize
Include
To "encapsulate" something means to surround it or include it. Think of a capsule of medicine; the capsule surrounds or includes the medicine inside it. So, "include" is the correct answer.
Example Question #53 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
OBSTRUCT
Astute
Assist
Hinder
Forfeit
Despicable
Hinder
The prefix "ob-" means get in the way of or hinder, as in “obstruct” or “obstacle.” So, "hinder" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "obstruct": “assist” means help; “forfeit” means quit or surrender; “despicable” means evil or wicked; and “astute” means sharp or clever.
Example Question #54 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
SUPERIMPOSE
Promote
Interject
Overlay
Mitigate
Declare
Overlay
The prefix "super-" usually means better or best but can also mean over or on top, so the word “superimpose” means to put something on top of something else. The closest answer choice to this is “overlay.” To provide further help, “interject” means interrupt; “mitigate” means lessen, alleviate; “declare” means announce, say formally; “promote” means support.
Example Question #55 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
PERVADE
Wishful thinking
Demand better of
Lose altogether
Spread throughout
Undermine
Spread throughout
The prefix per- means through, so the word “pervade” means to spread, or to have spread, throughout something. To provide further help, “undermine” means weaken.
Example Question #56 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
REINFORCE
Strengthen
Establish
Hinder
Block
Influence
Strengthen
In this question, the answer that makes the most sense is strengthen or support. When you reinforce, you strengthen something.
Example Question #57 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Synonyms: select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to that of the word in capital letters.
EXPEDITE
evacuate
facilitate
flee
cancel
facilitate
To "expedite" literally means "to free the foot;" (you may recognize the "ped" root from words such as "pedicure"). It derives from the same roots as the noun, "expedition," though it has a different meaning. Given the etymology of "expedite," you might (logically) think that it means "to flee." A red flag arises, however, when you see the other option of "evacuate," which has a very similar sense to "flee." Sometimes you can use an observation like this to eliminate possibilities: two near-synonyms among your answer choices likely means that both are wrong. The true sense of the English word "expedite" is to make easier or facilitate: your "foot" is "freed" (metaphorically) from imPEDiments.
Example Question #58 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EXCISE
Invoke
Prepare
Remove
Edify
Create
Remove
The root "cis" means related to cutting and the prefix "ex-" means related to leaving or being sent away. So “excise” literally means to cut away, but also means “remove.” To provide further help, “prepare” means get ready; “create” means make; “edify” means build; “invoke” means call upon.
Example Question #59 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INUNDATE
Vary
Intend
Flood
Enter
Suggest
Flood
To "inundate" means to flood, either literally with water or (more commonly) metaphorically with anything that happens to be "swamping" you. If you have a waterbed, you will be familiar with its "undulations" (movements in wavelike motions), which is a related word. You may have recognized the "in-" root, meaning "into," and chosen "enter." Though this is incorrect, don't beat yourself up over it—it's better to base a guess on one root than to guess randomly.
Example Question #60 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ENGULF
Akin
Overcome
Parody
Amiable
Embitter
Overcome
The prefix "en-" means put into or cause to be completely something, in this instance the word “engulf” means completely overcome or completely surround. It is usually heard in a sentence like “the log was engulfed in flames” meaning that it was overcome or surrounded by fire. So, "overcome" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "engulf": ”embitter” means make someone bitter; “parody” means make fun of or imitate in order to make a joke about; “akin” means similar to; and “amiable” means sociable and friendly.
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor