ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #23 : 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.

INCESSANT

Possible Answers:

Continuous

Clean

Impure

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 #24 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

INDELIBLE

Possible Answers:

Opaque

Transitory

Translucent

Itinerant

Permanent

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 #25 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

ANTEDILUVIAN

Possible Answers:

prehistoric

postmodern

poststructuralist

epilogue

prologue

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 #26 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

POSTHUMOUS

Possible Answers:

after embarrassment

after birth

after adolescence

after sickness

after death

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 #27 : 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:

High frequency 

Low frequency

Low temperature

High pressure 

High temperature

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 #28 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

POSTMORTEM

Possible Answers:

After death 

After childhood

Afterward

After school

After adolescence 

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 #29 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

PRECURSORY

Possible Answers:

Metropolitan

Despicable

Covert

Cumbersome

Initial

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 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

IMMORTAL

Possible Answers:

deathless

unjust

peaceful

villainous

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 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

A synonym of "unhindered" is __________.

Possible Answers:

decorative

graceful

unimpeded

stymied

competent

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 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

UNWELCOME

Possible Answers:

Unwanted

Angry

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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