All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Roots
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
ACRID
Pacifying
Soothing
Jaunty
Cantankerous
Sharp
Sharp
The prefix "acri-" means related to bitterness or harshness. The word “acrid” means unpleasantly sharp or bitter in smell or taste. To provide further help, “soothing” means comforting; “pacifying” means calming; “jaunty” means cheerful; “cantankerous” means grumpy.
Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DUCTILE
Rigid
Hollow
Original
Sticky
Pliant
Pliant
The Latin root "duct" means to lead. You may, for example, have seen an "aqueduct," which literally "leads water" in a particular direction. Someone or something that is "ductile" is "able to be led," in the sense of being easily influenced or bendable. This is also the meaning of the word "pliant." "Rigid" is an antonym.
Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OCULAR
Tactile
Audio
Condemned
Blessed
Visual
Visual
The prefix "ocu-" refers to being able to see, or to the eyes. This is similar to the prefix "vis-," which means to see. We can infer that “ocular” and “visual” are closely related to one another. To provide further help, “audio” means having to do with sound and hearing; “tactile” means able to be touched; “condemned” means considered guilty and awaiting punishment.
Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Roots
Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
TENABLE
Reasonable
Debunk
Ambiguous
Catastrophic
Sporadic
Reasonable
The prefix "ten-" means able to be held or defended, so the word “tenable” describes an idea that is able to be held or defended. We could also call this a “reasonable” idea. To provide further help, “debunk” means disprove; “catastrophic” means disastrous; “ambiguous” means unclear; “sporadic” means random and occurring infrequently.
Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Roots
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
PLACID
Silver
Dirty
Soft
Calm
Slow
Calm
The word "placid" means calm and peaceful. For example, one might write, "You could see your reflection like a mirror image in the placid lake." So, "calm" is the correct answer.
Example Question #221 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AGRARIAN
Urban
Scientific
Literary
Agricultural
Faithful
Agricultural
The prefix "agr-" means having to do with farming or the land, as seen in the word “agriculture.” The word “agrarian” means having to do with to the land or agriculture, so "of land" is the correct answer.
Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
HOSPITABLE
Incompatible
Neighborly
Cautious
Ideal
Neighborly
"Hospitable" means generous and friendly in entertaining guests, so "neighborly" would be the best match, as both words mean friendly.
Example Question #222 : 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.
HOSPITABLE
Bored
Friendly
Hostile
Guest
Friendly
"Hospitable" means receiving guests warmly and generously. The best choice is "friendly" because it means showing kindness and helpfulness. Someone who receives guests warmly and generously would be acting in a friendly manner toward those guests.
Example Question #222 : 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.
BENEVOLENT
Ruckus
Compassionate
Violent
Loud
Compassionate
The word "benevolent" means kind and caring. The best choice is "compassionate" because it shares the same definition. Considering the other choices, "violent" means acting with uncontrolled, rough force, "loud" means great in volume, and "ruckus" means noisy commotion.
Example Question #224 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
DIFFIDENT
Thoughtless
Hesitant
Reckless
Swift
Hasty
Hesitant
The root "fid" refers to belief, so someone who is “diffident” is lacking self-belief. Of the five answer choices, this is most similar in meaning to “hesitant,” which means uncertain and not confident. To provide further help, “reckless” means careless, quick to get into danger; “hasty” means rushed; “swift” means very quick; and “thoughtless” means carless, inconsiderate.