ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Middle Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #141 : Synonyms

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

PRESCIENCE

Possible Answers:

Ignorance

Account

Nostalgia

Prowess

Foresight

Correct answer:

Foresight

Explanation:

The prefix "pre-" means coming before, so it makes sense that "prescience" means knowledge about what is coming in the future, or “foresight." As for the other answer choices, “ignorance” means cluelessness or lack of understanding; “nostalgia” is a feeling of fondness about the past; “prowess” means skill; and “account” means story, version of a story told by a specific personledger of money withdrawn and deposited at a bank, or password-protected personal identity on a website.

Example Question #142 : Synonyms

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

INCREDIBLE

Possible Answers:

Pardonable

Edible

Untouchable

Unbelievable

Workable

Correct answer:

Unbelievable

Explanation:

The prefix "in-" means not, and "credible" includes the root "cred-," suggesting it has something to do with belief like other words that contain this root, like "incredulous" (surprised at something that seems unbelievable). "Credible" by itself means believable or trustworthy, so it makes sense that "incredible" means not able to be believed or surprising. This means that "unbelievable" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, "untouchable" means unable to be touched; “edible” means able to be eaten; "pardonable" means able to be pardoned or excused; and "workable" means potentially successful or able to be worked with.

Example Question #143 : Synonyms

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

IMMOBILIZE

Possible Answers:

Stop

Form

Dissolve

Begin

Function

Correct answer:

Stop

Explanation:

The prefix "im-" means stop or not, and "mobilize" means make able to move or prepare and deploy military troops and units, so it makes sense that "immobilize" means make unable to move or continue. As for the other answer choices, "dissolve" means melt away or, more precisely, put a solid into a liquid solution such that it breaks apart at the molecular level and is no longer visible to the naked eye; “form," when used as a verb, means shape or make; and “function,” when used as a verb, means work.

Example Question #144 : Synonyms

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

EUPHORIA

Possible Answers:

Judgement

District

Elation

Desolation

Despair

Correct answer:

Elation

Explanation:

The prefix "eu-" means good, so it makes sense that "euphoria" is a feeling of great happiness; this means that "elation" is the correct answer, as "elation" also means great happiness. A “district” is a distinct area in a larger area, often in a city; “despair” is hopelessness; “desolation" means despondency, loneliness, or emptiness; and “judgement” means an official decision about a disputed issue, often from an authority figure.

Example Question #145 : Synonyms

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

EXCEED

Possible Answers:

Announce

Defend

Attack

Surpass

Surround

Correct answer:

Surpass

Explanation:

The prefix "ex-" means outside or beyond, and the "-cede" portion of "exceed" derives from a Latin word that means go, so it makes sense that "exceed" means go beyond or do more than you need to. “Surround” means cover or be all around something; “defend” means look after or protect; and “announce” means declare information publicly for the first time.

Example Question #146 : Synonyms

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

REVERT

Possible Answers:

Depose

Respond

Reconsider

Return

Deplete

Correct answer:

Return

Explanation:

The prefix "re-" can mean back or again, and the "-vert" part of "revert" stems from a Latin root that means turn and is found in other English words like "invert," "convert," "divert," and "versus." So, it makes sense that "revert" means go back or return to something one did previously or a state one was in previously. As for the other answer choices, “respond” means answer back; "reconsider" means think about once again or go back on one's initial decision in favor of an option one didn't initially choose; “deplete” means reduce or minimize; and “depose” means get rid of a person in power against that person's will.

Example Question #99 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

REPLICATE

Possible Answers:

Fold

Clone

Commune

Force

Mingle

Correct answer:

Clone

Explanation:

The word replicate has the prefix "re-," which is very useful for figuring out its meaning. This prefix often means again, as we use it in "repeat" and "recede." The portion "-plicate" actually means to fold. Thus, a replication is like a "re-folding" or a "folding back on oneself." Thus, a "replication" is a copy or a clone of something else.

Example Question #147 : Synonyms

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

INTERSPERSED

Possible Answers:

Mixed

Tenacious

Regular

Fixated

Planted

Correct answer:

Mixed

Explanation:

The prefix "inter-" should help you to figure out this word's meaning, even if you do not know it otherwise. This prefix means between. When you go to a theatre show, there is "intermission." This is the break that is between the main acts. This prefix should not be confused with "intra-," which means within. Now, "interspersed" means scattered between. When something is sparse, it is scattered. Thus, the "-spersed" portion of the word means scattered. When you intersperse something among other things, you mix it into them. Thus, the best option for this question is "mix."

Example Question #102 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

IMMORAL

Possible Answers:

Correct

Glorious

Deliberate

Wicked

Righteous

Correct answer:

Wicked

Explanation:

"Immoral" is made up of a root word, "moral," and a Latin prefix, "im." "Moral" means to act correctly based on concepts of right and wrong. The prefix "im" means not. Therefore, immoral means to act incorrectly. An example would be that it is immoral to steal.

Example Question #103 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word that has the most similar meaning to the words in all capital letters.

UNYIELDING

Possible Answers:

Unregulated

Suspicious

Giving

Haughty

Inflexible

Correct answer:

Inflexible

Explanation:

The root word, "yield" means to surrender or give way. For instance, a yield sign on a road means that you must allow cars on the other road to have the right of way. The Latin prefix "un" means not. Therefore, "unyielding" means to NOT surrender. The answer, "inflexible" has another Latin prefix, "in," which means not. "Inflexible" means to NOT be flexible or to NOT give way.

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