ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #101 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

INTERSPERSED

Possible Answers:

Tenacious

Fixated

Regular

Planted

Mixed

Correct answer:

Mixed

Explanation:

The prefix "inter-" should help you to figure out this word's meaning, even if you do not know it otherwise. This prefix means between. When you go to a theatre show, there is "intermission." This is the break that is between the main acts. This prefix should not be confused with "intra-," which means within. Now, "interspersed" means scattered between. When something is sparse, it is scattered. Thus, the "-spersed" portion of the word means scattered. When you intersperse something among other things, you mix it into them. Thus, the best option for this question is "mix."

Example Question #102 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

IMMORAL

Possible Answers:

Deliberate

Wicked

Correct

Glorious

Righteous

Correct answer:

Wicked

Explanation:

"Immoral" is made up of a root word, "moral," and a Latin prefix, "im." "Moral" means to act correctly based on concepts of right and wrong. The prefix "im" means not. Therefore, immoral means to act incorrectly. An example would be that it is immoral to steal.

Example Question #103 : Synonyms: Prefixes

Synonyms: Select the word that has the most similar meaning to the words in all capital letters.

UNYIELDING

Possible Answers:

Suspicious

Haughty

Inflexible

Giving

Unregulated

Correct answer:

Inflexible

Explanation:

The root word, "yield" means to surrender or give way. For instance, a yield sign on a road means that you must allow cars on the other road to have the right of way. The Latin prefix "un" means not. Therefore, "unyielding" means to NOT surrender. The answer, "inflexible" has another Latin prefix, "in," which means not. "Inflexible" means to NOT be flexible or to NOT give way.

Example Question #104 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

DISPEL

Possible Answers:

Censor

Eliminate

Embrace

Establish

Insert

Correct answer:

Eliminate

Explanation:

The Latin prefix dis- means apart or away; in this case, dispel means to take away. For example, to "dispel" a rumor is to get rid of it or squash it through some action of proof (against it). The words "embrace," "establish," and "insert" antonyms to "dispel." The word "censor" is the forceful blocking of another person's freedom of expression or action. It is a higher degree of intensity in relation to dispel. Therefore, the best option is "eliminate." 

Example Question #105 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

COLLISION

Possible Answers:

Disagreement

Accord

Success

Crash

Replace

Correct answer:

Crash

Explanation:

The Latin prefix col- means together, joint, as in "collaborate" which means to work together. So, a "collision" is a coming together, a crash, an accident. When two cars hit one another this is called a "collision." To provide additional help, "accord" means agreement, harmony

Example Question #106 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

VIVACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Homely

Homeless

Lively

Lifeless

Nomadic

Correct answer:

Lively

Explanation:

The Latin prefix viv- means life, live, as in "revive" which means bring back to life. So, "vivacious" means full of life, spirited, lively. To provide further help, "lifeless" means not alive, not moving; "homely" means plain, unattractive; "homeless" means without a home; "nomadic" describes someone who moves constantly and does not live in any one place.

Example Question #107 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

CREDENCE

Possible Answers:

Industry

Faith

Suspicion

Communication

Hope

Correct answer:

Faith

Explanation:

The latin prefix cred- means believe, as in "incredible" which means not believable, too amazing to be accepted as true. So, "credence" means faith, belief, trust, confidence in something being true. Additionally, "suspicion" is a sneaking feeling that something is true; "industry" is work or business.

Example Question #108 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

BELLIGERENT

Possible Answers:

Opulent

Lofty

Passive

Penniless

Aggressive

Correct answer:

Aggressive

Explanation:

The Latin prefix bell- means war, as in "bellicose" which means warlike. So, "belligerent" means hostile, aggressive, desiring conflict. To provide further help, "lofty" means tall, imposing; "penniless" means very poor; "opulent" means luxurious; "passive" means not aggressive.

Example Question #109 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

AMBLE

Possible Answers:

Sprint

Demean

Rest

Elicit

Stroll

Correct answer:

Stroll

Explanation:

The Latin prefix ambul- means walk, move, as in "ambulance" a vehicle that moves a patient to the hospital. So, to "amble" means to walk slowly, to wander, to stroll. To provide additional help, "sprint" means run fast; "demean" means embarrass, humiliate; "elicit" means bring out of someone, get a response to.

Example Question #110 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

LUNACY

Possible Answers:

Severe

Abundance

Perilous

Youthfulness

Madness

Correct answer:

Madness

Explanation:

The Latin prefix lun- means moon, as in "lunar cycle" which refers to the movement of the moon. So, this one is a little more difficult to decipher than usual because it relies on some interesting knowledge of the distant past. People use to believe that the moon affects people's moods (some people still believe this) and can cause conditions like insanity. So "lunacy" means madness (caused by the moon), insanity, craziness. To provide additional help, "abundance" means a large and more than adequate supply of something; "severe" means harsh or intense; "perilous" means dangerous; "youthfulness" is the quality of being young

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