All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #161 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ABYSS
Bottomless
Hopeless
Thankless
Timeless
Helpless
Bottomless
The Greek prefix a- means without, so "abyss" means without a bottom, bottomless, a void, a chasm. To provide further help, "timeless" means not fixed in any era, always fashionable and appropriate; "thankless" refers to a task that no-one wants to do because it is little appreciated.
Example Question #162 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DIALOGUE
Condescension
Competition
Confrontation
Commiseration
Conversation
Conversation
The Greek prefix dia- means through, between, across, so "dialogue" means a conversation between two people. Another example of a dia- word is "diameter" which refers to a line that goes from one side of a circle to another, the passes across and through the circle. To provide additional help, "commiseration" is showing sympathy for someone's sadness, joining someone in sadness; "condescension" is talking down to someone in an arrogant way; a "confrontation" is a fight.
Example Question #163 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PHYSICIAN
Lawyer
Doctor
Teacher
Helper
Politician
Doctor
The Greek prefix phys- means related to nature, the human body, and medicine. So a "physician" is a doctor. Another example of a phys- word is "physical," which means relating to the body or to movement.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Anglo Saxon
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
BESTOW
Confer
Enthrall
Request
Describe
Meander
Confer
“Bestow” means to give or present something to someone. In this sense, it is most similar to the answer choice “confer,” which means to give an award, to present something. To provide further help, “request” means ask for; “enthrall” means captivate and charm; “meander” describes the indirect, side-to-side movement of something, like a river.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Anglo Saxon
Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters.
OUTFOX
Fall over
Learn to read
Get the better of
Defend to the death
Last longer than
Get the better of
To "outfox" means to outwit or to get the better of someone. For example, one might write, “He outfoxed his opponent and emerged victorious.”
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Anglo Saxon
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
BEHOOVE
Be fitting
Be useless
Be required
Be insipid
Be unnecessary
Be fitting
"Behoove" means be fitting, right or appropriate. For example, one might say that it behooves you to study hard for the ISEE Verbal section. So, "be fitting" is the correct answer. To help you, "required" means needed, and "insipid" means dull or bland.
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Anglo Saxon
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
BEDEVIL
Forage
Threaten
Harass
Curse
Harass
To "bedevil" means harass. The best choice is "harass," which means disturb repeatedly. Considering the other choices, "curse" means wish evil upon something, "forage" means search for, and "threaten" means promise danger towards something or someone.
Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Anglo Saxon
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
BEDECK
Inquire
Apprehend
Dispute
Festoon
Puncture
Festoon
The prefix "be-" means to make, to do and “bedeck” means to decorate, to make something look festive. This is close in meaning to “festoon.” To provide further help, “puncture” means pierce; “dispute” means argue against; “inquire” means ask after; “apprehend” means catch or arrest.
Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Anglo Saxon
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FOREBODE
Collect
Praise
Gesticulate
Warn
Befriend
Warn
The Old English prefix fore- means before, in front of, coming before, as in "forecast" which is a prediction of future events. So, "forebode" means to warn of, to herald, to foreshadow. To provide additional help, "befriend" means to make friends with; "gesticulate" means gesture to, motion about, to use dramatic body movements to express an idea.
Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Anglo Saxon
Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
BEDECK
Festoon
Dispute
Apprehend
Inquire
Puncture
Festoon
The prefix "be-" means to make, to do and “bedeck” means to decorate, to make something look festive. This is close in meaning to “festoon.” To provide further help, “puncture” means pierce; “dispute” means argue against; “inquire” means ask after; “apprehend” means catch or arrest.
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