ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #331 : Synonyms

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

EVACUATE

Possible Answers:

Indicate

Insert

Remove

Suggest

Imply

Correct answer:

Remove

Explanation:

The Latin root -vac- means empty, without, as in "vacant" which means empty, not occupied. So, "evacuate" means to remove people from an area, to make an area empty. To provide additional help, "insert" means add to and the other three answer choices are all synonyms they all mean to hint at or propose an idea

Example Question #332 : Synonyms

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

POSTPONE

Possible Answers:

Appear

Delay

Detect

Vanish

Scold

Correct answer:

Delay

Explanation:

The Latin root -pon- means put, so "postpone" means to put off until later, to delay. Additionally, "detect" means notice, observe the presence of; "vanish" means disappear; "scold" means tell off, punish

Example Question #333 : Synonyms

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

PUGNACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Combative

Callous

Reprehensible

Cooperative

Squalid

Correct answer:

Combative

Explanation:

The latin root -pugn- means fight, so "pugnacious" means aggressive, combative, quick to anger, hostile. To provide additional help, "callous" means harsh and uncaring; "reprehensible" means behavior that is disgraceful, deserving of harsh criticism; "cooperative" means helpful, willing to work with others; "squalid" means dirty, filthy, poor and wretched

Example Question #334 : Synonyms

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

ANNOUNCE

Possible Answers:

Possess

Suffer

Declare

Concentrate

Reprise

Correct answer:

Declare

Explanation:

The Latin roots -noun- and -nunc- mean declare, speak about, as in "denounce," which means to speak out against something, to declare something is wrong or malevolent. So, "announce" means to publicly declare. Additionally, "reprise" means repeat a performance of, repeat a character; "concentrate" means focus on; "possess" means have, own; "suffer" means experience pain

Example Question #335 : Synonyms

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

ENDURING

Possible Answers:

Halting

Pausing

Continuing

Completing

Finishing

Correct answer:

Continuing

Explanation:

The Latin root -dur- means tough, hard, lasting, as in "durable," which means able to withstand pressure, long lasting, tough. So, "enduring" means lasting or continuing. Additionally, "halting" means pausing, stopping; "completing" means finishing

Example Question #336 : Synonyms

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

MALODOROUS

Possible Answers:

Gross

Smelly

Firm

Unattractive

Loud

Correct answer:

Smelly

Explanation:

In the word "malodorous" there are two relevant Latin roots. The first mal- means bad, as in "malevolent," which means bad natured, evil, wicked. The second is -odor- which means related to smell or scent. So, "malodorous" means smelly, unpleasantly smelling, disgusting, stinky, fetid

Example Question #337 : Synonyms

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

INVINCIBLE

Possible Answers:

Interesting

Unlikely

Important

Impassive

Unbeatable

Correct answer:

Unbeatable

Explanation:

The Latin root -vinc- means conquer, win, as in "victory." So, "invincible" means unable to be conquered, indestructible, unbeatable. Additionally, "impassive" means not showing or feeling emotions

Example Question #291 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

ENUMERATE

Possible Answers:

List

Allow

Attract

Repel

Compel

Correct answer:

List

Explanation:

The Latin root -numer- means number, as in "numerous" which means a large number of something. So, to "enumerate" means to make a numbered list of something. Additionally, "repel" means force back, fight off; "compel" means force to do something.

Example Question #292 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

DERIDE

Possible Answers:

Impair

Kill

Mock

Detain

Discuss

Correct answer:

Mock

Explanation:

The word "deride" comes from the Latin word for to laugh. Whenever we "ridicule" someone, we mock that person or "laugh at them." In a way, you can think of the expression "being a laughing stock." This means that someone is being ridiculed or derided. When we "deride" someone, we mock that person. Mockery is a mean way of "making fun of" someone. (Do you see that the word "deride" has a form similar to "ridicule"? Both words come from the Latin "ridere," meaning to laugh.) 

Example Question #293 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

LUMINOUS

Possible Answers:

Surprising

Brilliant

Increasing

Fading

Dim

Correct answer:

Brilliant

Explanation:

The word "luminous" is related to the word "illuminate." They both come from Latin roots meaning light. Whenever we "illuminate" a room, we add light to it. Something that is "luminous" is shining or bright. The word "brilliant" is often used to mean very intelligent; however, this comes from the idea that such a person has a "very bright or shining mind." It is a bit metaphorical. The word "brilliant" means to shine, and this is a good synonym for "luminous."

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