ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Roots

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #276 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

AMPLIFY

Possible Answers:

Translate

Pervade

Increase

Resonate

Fill

Correct answer:

Increase

Explanation:

The word "amplify" comes from two Latin roots. The stem of the word, "ampli-," comes from the Latin word for large. Perhaps you have heard of the word "ample," which means large or abundant. The "-fy" suffix also comes from Latin and means to do or to make. Thus, something that "amplifies" is a thing that makes something larger or more intense. Often, we use the word "amplifier" for something that makes sound on a stereo to be louder. Thus, the best option among those given is "increase." When you "amplify" something, you increase its size or intensity.

Example Question #277 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

FRACTURE

Possible Answers:

Dig

Illustrate

Combine

Conclude

Break

Correct answer:

Break

Explanation:

The best synonym is "break." Fracture comes from the Latin roots "fract" and "frangere," meaning to break (e.g. "fraction," "fracking," "fragile," "fragment").

Example Question #278 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

POSTSCRIPT

Possible Answers:

Raise

Recording

Afterword

Mental

Summary

Correct answer:

Afterword

Explanation:

Postscript comes from the Latin prefix "post" meaning "after." Script comes from the Latin word "scriptus" meaning written. Postscript can be defined as written after, such as an appendix or epilogue. Therefore, "Afterword" is the correct synonym. A "postcript" does not necessarily provide a "summary," it merely comes at the end of a document.

Example Question #279 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

LOQUACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Blinding

Talkative

Tranquil

Mute

Miniscule

Correct answer:

Talkative

Explanation:

The best synonym is "talkative." "Loquacious" comes from the Latin root "loqui" meaning speak. Therefore, someone who is "loquacious "speaks a great deal or is talkative, with an additional meaning that their speech is eloquent.

"Tranquil" refers to disposition, not speech. "Mute" is an antonym to "loquacious," as it refers to silent or incapable of speech.

Example Question #280 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

RECLINE

Possible Answers:

Consume

Lean

Harry

Bother

Harass

Correct answer:

Lean

Explanation:

The Latin root -clin- means lean, lean back, so to "recline" means to lean back, to lie back in a chair. Another example of a -clin- word is "incline" which means slope, leaning forwards. Additionally, "consume" means devour, eat, use. Finally, the other three answer choices are all synonyms they all mean to annoy, pester, and bother someone.

Example Question #281 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

ADVOCATE

Possible Answers:

Determine

Disparage

Allocate

Recommend

Serenade

Correct answer:

Recommend

Explanation:

The Latin root -voc- means voice, speak, call, as in "vocal" which means outspoken, loud or "vocalize" which means speak, express. So, "advocate" means speak out in favor of, speak in support of, recommend. To provide additional help, "serenade" means sing to, play music for; "disparage" means mock and criticize; "allocate" means decide who gets what share of something and then hand it out; "determine" means decide.

Example Question #282 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

INCOGNITO

Possible Answers:

Revealed

Despised

Redundant

Surmised

Disguised

Correct answer:

Disguised

Explanation:

The Latin root -cogn- means know, knowledge, as in "recognize" which means to notice or know someone. So, "incognito" means in disguise, dressed up so no one will know you. Additionally, "revealed" means displayed, shown after previously being hidden; "despised" means hated; "surmised" means guessed at, estimated at, determined is true without conclusive evidence; "redundant" means no longer useful because it has been replaced by something better.

Example Question #283 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

ACCESSIBLE

Possible Answers:

Malleable

Fortunate

Hapless

Reachable

Comfortable

Correct answer:

Reachable

Explanation:

The Latin root -cess- means go, yield, obtain. So "accessible" means able to be reached, able to be accessed, reachable. Another example of a -cess- word is "exceed" which means to go beyond. Additionally, "fortunate" means lucky; "hapless" means unfortunate, unlucky; "malleable" means flexible, changeable

Example Question #284 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

EVACUATE

Possible Answers:

Indicate

Imply

Remove

Suggest

Insert

Correct answer:

Remove

Explanation:

The Latin root -vac- means empty, without, as in "vacant" which means empty, not occupied. So, "evacuate" means to remove people from an area, to make an area empty. To provide additional help, "insert" means add to and the other three answer choices are all synonyms they all mean to hint at or propose an idea

Example Question #285 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

POSTPONE

Possible Answers:

Delay

Vanish

Scold

Detect

Appear

Correct answer:

Delay

Explanation:

The Latin root -pon- means put, so "postpone" means to put off until later, to delay. Additionally, "detect" means notice, observe the presence of; "vanish" means disappear; "scold" means tell off, punish

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