ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

APATHY

Possible Answers:

Jubilance

Excitement

Indifference

Argument

Size

Correct answer:

Indifference

Explanation:

"Apathy" means indifference or lack of interest, so "indifference" is the correct answer

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

ANTITHESIS

Possible Answers:

Soldier

Antagonist

Opposite

Destruction

Enemy

Correct answer:

Opposite

Explanation:

"Antithesis" means an opposite, so "opposite" is the correct answer.

Example Question #181 : Synonyms

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

HYPERBOLE

Possible Answers:

Exaggeration

Hear

Conduit

Coax

Correct answer:

Exaggeration

Explanation:

"Hyperbole" is exaggeration of something. The best choice is "exaggeration" because it is a part of the definition of "hyperbole." Considering the other choices, "coax" means urge, "conduit" means a pipe or tube for moving liquids from one location to another, and "hear" means listen to.

Example Question #182 : Synonyms

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

ANTIPATHY

Possible Answers:

Apathy

Dislike

Sympathy

Abhorrent

Miscreant

Correct answer:

Dislike

Explanation:

"Antipathy" means a strong feeling of dislike. To provide further help, a "miscreant" is someone who behaves badly; "abhorrent" means grotesque and hateful; "sympathy" is a feeling of sorrow for someone else's feelings; "apathy" means not caring

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

ANTECEDENT

Possible Answers:

obsolete

antiquated

nomadic

forerunner

itinerant

Correct answer:

forerunner

Explanation:

An “antecedent” is something that comes before, a forerunner. The prefix ante- means before, preceding, as seen in “antebellum” which means before the Civil War. To provide further help, “obsolete” means no longer needed or of any use; “antiquated” means obsolete, ancient; “nomadic” and “itinerant” are two words used to describe wandering people who do not have a fixed home.

Example Question #183 : Synonyms

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

EUPHEMISM

Possible Answers:

Encroachment 

Temerity 

Circumlocution 

Eloquence 

Jubilation 

Correct answer:

Circumlocution 

Explanation:

A “euphemism” is a less offensive way of saying something; it requires careful avoidance of specifically stating a subject. This process can also be called “circumlocution,” which means talking around an issue. There are many relevant prefixes and suffixes at play here. The prefix "eu-" means meaning to do well. The prefix "circum-" means round and the suffix "-locution" means related to talking. To provide further help, “encroachment” means advancing into someone else’s space; “temerity” means audacity; “eloquence” is the ability to speak well; “jubilation” is great happiness

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

APHASIA

Possible Answers:

Lack of people skills

Lack of education

Lack of work ethic

Lack of language skills

Lack of mathematical reasoning

Correct answer:

Lack of language skills

Explanation:

Someone who suffers from “aphasia” has a lack of language skills. The root word here is "phon," which refers to language; it has been changed over time into "pha-," but the meaning is unchanged. The prefix "a-" is a negation principle and gives the word it is added to the opposite meaning of the original word.

Example Question #184 : Synonyms

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

POLYGON

Possible Answers:

Confused

Popular

Form

Many-sided shape

Lost

Correct answer:

Many-sided shape

Explanation:

The prefix "poly-" means many and the suffix "-gon" means related to a shape, so a “polygon” is a many-sided shape

Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

MONOPOLY

Possible Answers:

Anomalous

Inclusive

Hopeless

Suspicious

Exclusive control 

Correct answer:

Exclusive control 

Explanation:

The prefix "mono­-" means one. A “monopoly” is when one business has exclusive control over a product or market. To provide further help, “inclusive” means comprehensive, including everyone or everything; “anomalous” means irregular, unusual; “suspicious” means doubtful, deserving of distrust

Example Question #185 : Synonyms

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

PSEUDONYM

Possible Answers:

Nominate 

Nickname 

Novelty 

Nihilist 

Neophyte 

Correct answer:

Nickname 

Explanation:

The prefix "pseudo-" means pretend or fake and "nym" (more commonly "nom") means related to names, so a “pseudonym” is a fake name or a “nickname.” To provide further help, a “novelty” is something new or different; a “neophyte” is a beginner; “nominate” means to name for a position; a “nihilist” is someone who rejects the idea that life has meaning.

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