ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

INCESSANT

Possible Answers:

Impure

Clean

Continuous

Monetary

Correct answer:

Continuous

Explanation:

The word "incessant" means continuing without interruption. The best choice is "continuing" because it is a part of the definition of "incessant." Considering the other choices, "monetary" means pertaining to money, "clean" means unstained, and "impure" means not pure or adulterated.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

INDELIBLE

Possible Answers:

Opaque

Permanent

Itinerant

Translucent

Transitory

Correct answer:

Permanent

Explanation:

“Indelible” means unable to be removed, permanent. To provide further guidance, "transitory" means not permanent or lasting; "translucent" means letting light through a little, as opposed to "opaque," which means an object that does not let any light pass through. Finally, "itinerant" means wandering, not fixed to one home or spot.

Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

ANTEDILUVIAN

Possible Answers:

postmodern

epilogue

prologue

prehistoric

poststructuralist

Correct answer:

prehistoric

Explanation:

As we have previously seen ante- means before, preceding, so the correct definition of “antediluvian” is  prehistoric, literally from the time before the biblical flood. To provide further help, “postmodern” and “poststructuralist” refer to a contemporary way of looking at art and human behavior that focuses on deconstruction and self-conscious examination; a “prologue” is the beginning chapter of a story; an “epilogue” comes after the story. Make observations about the various pronouns used here, pre-, post-, pro-, epi-, and see what you can determine about how they relate to their various definitions.

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

POSTHUMOUS

Possible Answers:

after adolescence

after death

after birth

after embarrassment

after sickness

Correct answer:

after death

Explanation:

The prefix post- means after, and the word “posthumous” means after death. When an award is given to someone after they have died, we say that it is awarded “posthumously.”

Example Question #26 : 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.

ULTRASONIC

Possible Answers:

Low temperature

High pressure 

High temperature

High frequency 

Low frequency

Correct answer:

High frequency 

Explanation:

The prefix "ultra-" usually means beyond or extreme, and indeed “ultrasonic” means operating at an extremely high frequency. To help you, “temperature” is the numerical measurement of how warm or cool it is; “frequency” is the measurement of wavelengths or how often something occurs; and “pressure” is the measurement of a certain amount of force applied over a certain area.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

POSTMORTEM

Possible Answers:

After school

After childhood

Afterward

After adolescence 

After death 

Correct answer:

After death 

Explanation:

The prefix "post-" means after and "mort" means having to do with death, so the word “postmortem” means after death. To provide further help, “adolescence” is another word for teenage-years. 

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

PRECURSORY

Possible Answers:

Covert

Initial

Cumbersome

Despicable

Metropolitan

Correct answer:

Initial

Explanation:

The prefix pre- means before, so the word “precursory” means occurring before other things, the starting point, or “initial.” To provide further help, “metropolitan” means relating to city life, diverse and multi-cultural; “covert” means sneaky or hidden; “cumbersome” means heavy or burdensome; “despicable” means evil or wicked

Example Question #31 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

IMMORTAL

Possible Answers:

peaceful

deathless

villainous

unjust

Correct answer:

deathless

Explanation:

Read the word very carefully: "immortal." Notice that it is made up of two parts: "im" + "mortal." The word "mortal" means able to die or something that leads to death. The prefix "im-" is the "privitive" use of "i-," meaning not. The extra "m" is added because of the "m" at the beginning of "mortal." Therefore, the word "im-mortal" means not able to die. Among the options, "deathless" is the best synonym. Do not confuse "immortal" with "immoral," which means lacking morality or wicked.

Example Question #32 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

A synonym of "unhindered" is __________.

Possible Answers:

competent

unimpeded

graceful

stymied

decorative

Correct answer:

unimpeded

Explanation:

"Unhindered" is an adjective that means "not hindered or obstructed," so we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "unobstructed." So, "stymied" cannot be the correct answer, because "stymied" is an adjective that means "prevented or having the progress of (something) hindered," making the word an antonym, not a synonym, of "unhindered." "Unimpeded," however, means "not obstructed or hindered," and because "unimpeded" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "unhindered," "unimpeded" is the correct answer.

Example Question #33 : 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.

UNWELCOME

Possible Answers:

Angry

Unwanted

Invited

Receptive

Correct answer:

Unwanted

Explanation:

If someone is "unwelcome," they are not wanted or not welcome. You can figure this out, because "un-" means not, so "unwelcome" means not welcome. So, "unwanted," which means not wanted, is the correct answer, because it is closest in meaning to "unwelcome."

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