All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #201 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ARCHAIC
Recessive
Confounding
Obsolete
Impressive
Domineering
Obsolete
The Greek prefix arch- can have two meanings. It either means chief as in "monarch" or ancient, old-fashioned as in "archaic." "Archaic" means old-fashioned and out of date, obsolete, no longer needed or used. To provide additional help, "impressive" means inspiring admiration, making people impressed; "domineering" means bossy, dominating, in-charge; "confounding" means confusing, bewildering; "recessive" means (of a gene) not dominant, hidden.
Example Question #202 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MISNOMER
Speaker
Leader
Follower
Error
Answer
Error
The Greek prefix mis- means wrong, bad, as in "mistake" which means error. A "misnomer" is an inaccurate name, an error in naming something. So, the best possible answer is "error." You might also notice the root word -nom- which often means name. So, simply a "misnomer" is a wrong name, an error in naming.
Example Question #203 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MELANCHOLY
Joy
Sadness
Ecstasy
Bliss
Elation
Sadness
The Greek prefix melan- means black, dark, so "melancholy" means a dark mood, sadness, depression, misery. Additionally, the other four answer choices all mean deep happiness.
Example Question #204 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OPTICAL
Touch
Hearing
Taste
Sight
Smell
Sight
The Greek prefix opt- means eyes, sight, or related to sight. So, "optical" means of or relating to sight. The synonym here is not perfect, but sometimes you have to find the answer that is "closest" to the word in question.
Example Question #205 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PATERNITY
Fatherhood
Sisterhood
Brotherhood
Motherhood
Maternity
Fatherhood
The Greek prefix pater- means father, so "paternity" means fatherhood. The Greek prefix mater- means mother, so "maternity" means motherhood. Another example of a pater- word is "patriarch" which refers to a man in charge of a group.
Example Question #206 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IDIOSYNCRASY
Hint
Xenophobia
Patriotism
Compassion
Quirk
Quirk
The Greek prefix idio- means unusual, weird, distinct, as in "idiot." So, an "idiosyncrasy" is an unusual personality trait, a quirk. Additionally, a "hint" is a clue; "patriotism" is love of one's country; "xenophobia" is fear of foreigners; "compassion" is warmth, generosity, and kindness.
Example Question #207 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ETHNICITY
Class
Age
Gender
Belief
Race
Race
The Greek prefix ethno- means race, so an "ethnicity" is a race of people. Other examples of ethno- words include "ethnic" which means racial and "ethnology" the study of different races. It is worth noting that the suffix -ology means study of.
Example Question #161 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ABYSS
Bottomless
Hopeless
Thankless
Timeless
Helpless
Bottomless
The Greek prefix a- means without, so "abyss" means without a bottom, bottomless, a void, a chasm. To provide further help, "timeless" means not fixed in any era, always fashionable and appropriate; "thankless" refers to a task that no-one wants to do because it is little appreciated.
Example Question #209 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DIALOGUE
Competition
Commiseration
Conversation
Condescension
Confrontation
Conversation
The Greek prefix dia- means through, between, across, so "dialogue" means a conversation between two people. Another example of a dia- word is "diameter" which refers to a line that goes from one side of a circle to another, the passes across and through the circle. To provide additional help, "commiseration" is showing sympathy for someone's sadness, joining someone in sadness; "condescension" is talking down to someone in an arrogant way; a "confrontation" is a fight.
Example Question #162 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PHYSICIAN
Lawyer
Teacher
Politician
Helper
Doctor
Doctor
The Greek prefix phys- means related to nature, the human body, and medicine. So a "physician" is a doctor. Another example of a phys- word is "physical," which means relating to the body or to movement.
All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
