ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

COMPILE

Possible Answers:

Organize

Fetch

Collide

Disperse

Inhabit

Correct answer:

Organize

Explanation:

"Compile" means collect into a volume or a list, so "organize" would be the best choice here. "Disperse," meaning scatter, has the opposite meaning.

Example Question #52 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

ENCAPSULATE

Possible Answers:

Medicine

Include

Exclude

Tablet

Organize

Correct answer:

Include

Explanation:

To "encapsulate" something means to surround it or include it. Think of a capsule of medicine; the capsule surrounds or includes the medicine inside it. So, "include" is the correct answer.

Example Question #53 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

OBSTRUCT

Possible Answers:

Astute 

Assist 

Hinder 

Forfeit 

Despicable 

Correct answer:

Hinder 

Explanation:

The prefix "ob-" means get in the way of or hinder, as in “obstruct” or “obstacle.” So, "hinder" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "obstruct": “assist” means help; “forfeit” means quit or surrender; “despicable” means evil or wicked; and “astute” means sharp or clever.

Example Question #54 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

SUPERIMPOSE

Possible Answers:

Promote 

Interject

Overlay 

Mitigate 

Declare 

Correct answer:

Overlay 

Explanation:

The prefix "super-" usually means better or best but can also mean over or on top, so the word “superimpose” means to put something on top of something else. The closest answer choice to this is “overlay.” To provide further help, “interject” means interrupt; “mitigate” means lessen, alleviate; “declare” means announce, say formally; “promote” means support.

Example Question #55 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

PERVADE

Possible Answers:

Wishful thinking

Demand better of 

Lose altogether

Spread throughout 

Undermine 

Correct answer:

Spread throughout 

Explanation:

The prefix per- means through, so the word “pervade” means to spread, or to have spread, throughout something. To provide further help, “undermine” means weaken

Example Question #56 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

REINFORCE

Possible Answers:

Strengthen

Establish

Hinder

Block

Influence

Correct answer:

Strengthen

Explanation:

In this question, the answer that makes the most sense is strengthen or support.  When you reinforce, you strengthen something.

Example Question #57 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

EXPEDITE

Possible Answers:

evacuate

facilitate

flee

cancel

Correct answer:

facilitate

Explanation:

To "expedite" literally means "to free the foot;" (you may recognize the "ped" root from words such as "pedicure"). It derives from the same roots as the noun, "expedition," though it has a different meaning. Given the etymology of "expedite," you might (logically) think that it means "to flee." A red flag arises, however, when you see the other option of "evacuate," which has a very similar sense to "flee." Sometimes you can use an observation like this to eliminate possibilities: two near-synonyms among your answer choices likely means that both are wrong. The true sense of the English word "expedite" is to make easier or facilitate: your "foot" is "freed" (metaphorically) from imPEDiments.

Example Question #58 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

EXCISE

Possible Answers:

Invoke 

Prepare 

Remove 

Edify 

Create 

Correct answer:

Remove 

Explanation:

The root "cis" means related to cutting and the prefix "ex-" means related to leaving or being sent away. So “excise” literally means to cut away, but also means “remove.” To provide further help, “prepare” means get ready; “create” means make; “edify” means build; “invoke” means call upon

Example Question #59 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

INUNDATE

Possible Answers:

Vary

Intend

Flood

Enter

Suggest

Correct answer:

Flood

Explanation:

To "inundate" means to flood, either literally with water or (more commonly) metaphorically with anything that happens to be "swamping" you. If you have a waterbed, you will be familiar with its "undulations" (movements in wavelike motions), which is a related word. You may have recognized the "in-" root, meaning "into," and chosen "enter." Though this is incorrect, don't beat yourself up over it—it's better to base a guess on one root than to guess randomly.

Example Question #60 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

ENGULF

Possible Answers:

Akin 

Overcome 

Parody 

Amiable 

Embitter 

Correct answer:

Overcome 

Explanation:

The prefix "en-" means put into or cause to be completely something, in this instance the word “engulf” means completely overcome or completely surround. It is usually heard in a sentence like “the log was engulfed in flames” meaning that it was overcome or surrounded by fire. So, "overcome" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "engulf": ”embitter” means make someone bitter; “parody” means make fun of or imitate in order to make a joke about; “akin” means similar to; and “amiable” means sociable and friendly.

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