ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

PROLOGUE

Possible Answers:

Formless 

Forsake 

Forensic 

Foreword 

Forerunner 

Correct answer:

Foreword 

Explanation:

The prefixes "pro-" and "fore-" are very similar to one another. Both prefixes describe something that comes before something else. A “prologue” is the introduction to a story, and as such, the word is most similar in meaning to a “foreword.” None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "prologue": “formless” means without shape; “forerunner” means precursor or thing that comes before something else; “forsake” means abandon; and “forensic” means relating to the application of science to crime solving

Example Question #2 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

MALPRACTICE

Possible Answers:

Malcontent  

Misconduct 

Misappropriated

Maladjusted

Misinformed

Correct answer:

Misconduct 

Explanation:

The prefix "mal-" means bad, so “malpractice” means bad practice, improper behavior. The prefix "mis-" also means bad and is often used similarly to "mal-." The key here is to figure out which suffix is closest in meaning to “practice” and the correct answer is “conduct.” “Misconduct” means doing something wrong, bad conduct. To provide further help, “misappropriated” means given to the wrong people; “misinformed” means told incorrect information; “maladjusted” means not adjusted to one's social environment; “malcontent” means not happy, not content.

Example Question #1 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

DISPARITY

Possible Answers:

Credibility 

Astute 

Repudiate 

Inequality 

Accountability 

Correct answer:

Inequality 

Explanation:

The word “parity” means equality and the prefix "dis-" is a negation prefix, so “disparity” is the opposite of “parity.” The correct answer is therefore “inequality.” To provide further help, someone who is “astute” is shrewd and shows good judgment; “credibility” means believability; “accountability” means responsibility; “repudiate” means  reject, renounce, disavow.

Example Question #1 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

EQUANIMITY

Possible Answers:

Motivation

Despondency

Composure

Inspiration

Hopelessness

Correct answer:

Composure

Explanation:

The prefix equa- means same as, equal to, even, so the word “equanimity” means having an evenness of mind, showing “composure.” “Composure” is a calmness in the face of difficulty. To provide further help, “inspiration” is something that makes you want to do something; “motivation” is the reason for doing something; “despondency” means hopelessness.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

DISAVOWAL

Possible Answers:

Denunciation

Proviso 

Acceptance

Renunciation 

Encouragement

Correct answer:

Renunciation 

Explanation:

To “disavow” means to deny or renounce responsibility for someone or something, as such "disavowal" is closest in meaning to “renunciation,” which means rejection or denial of something. To provide further help, “encouragement” is support; a “proviso” is a condition that must be met in order to get something done or attain something; "acceptance" means agreeing to receive something or go along with a plan; and "denunciation" means condemnation.

Example Question #51 : Synonyms

A synonym of "imperceptible" is __________.

Possible Answers:

prominent

secret

undetectable

wise

filial

Correct answer:

undetectable

Explanation:

"Imperceptible" is an adjective that means "impossible to perceive," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "impossible to perceive." So, "prominent" cannot be the correct answer because one meaning of "prominent" is "situated so as to catch the attention; noticeable," making it an antonym of "imperceptible." "Undetectable," however, is an adjective that means "not able to be detected," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "imperceptible," "undetectable" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

TRANSVERSE

Possible Answers:

Parallel

Slanting

Slope

Perpendicular

Gradient

Correct answer:

Slanting

Explanation:

The prefix trans- means across or travel. The word “transverse” means to travel across something in a slanting or diagonal manner. To provide further help, “parallel” means side-by-side; “perpendicular” means intersecting just once, opposite of parallel; “gradient” and “slope” are synonyms of one another and mathematical terms, both mean incline or angle of rising.

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

INCARNATE

Possible Answers:

Portent 

Personified 

Serendipitous 

Synthesis 

Pertinent 

Correct answer:

Personified 

Explanation:

"Carn-" means in the flesh, related to the body. “Incarnate” literally means in the flesh; however, it is taken to mean “personified,” which means the epitome of something, the most obvious example of something. To provide further help, “serendipitous” means owed to good fortune; a “synthesis” is a mixture; a “portent” is an omen; “pertinent” means relevant.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Prefixes

A synonym of "indeterminate" is __________.

Possible Answers:

predatory

unspecified

charismatic

miraculous

definite

Correct answer:

unspecified

Explanation:

"Indeterminate" is an adjective that means "not exactly known, established, or defined." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not exactly defined." "Definite," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "definite," which means "clearly stated or decided; not vague or doubtful" or "clearly true or real; unambiguous," is an antonym of "indeterminate," not a synonym. "Unspecified," however, is an adjective that means "not stated clearly or exactly," and because "unspecified" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "indeterminate," "unspecified" is the correct answer.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

PRESCIENT

Possible Answers:

Foreknowing

Do

Sentient

Science

Correct answer:

Foreknowing

Explanation:

The word "prescient" means having knowledge of things before they happen. The best choice is "foreknowing," as it shares the same definition as "prescient." Considering the other choices, "do" means perform an act, "science" is knowledge gained from systematic study, and "sentient" means conscious.

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