ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

PESTICIDE

Possible Answers:

Insect tracker

Insect killer

Rat feeder

Insect feeder

Rat tracker

Correct answer:

Insect killer

Explanation:

The suffix "-cide" means related to killing and the prefix "pest-" means related to pests, such as insects or rats. In this instance, since there is no option for “rat killer” the correct answer is “insect killer.”

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

FORMULATE

Possible Answers:

Express

Find

Understand

Create

Calculate

Correct answer:

Create

Explanation:

The answer choice closest in meaning to "formulate" is "create." For example, if you "formulate" a plan, it means that you create a plan.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

SEGREGATE

Possible Answers:

Keep apart

Keep from winning

Keep forever 

Keep awake 

Keep from moving 

Correct answer:

Keep apart

Explanation:

The prefix "se-" means apart or away, so “segregate” means keep apart

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

LAUGHABLE

Possible Answers:

Prickly

Ridiculous

Bold

Whiny

Sensible

Correct answer:

Ridiculous

Explanation:

“Laughable” is an adjective that means “so ridiculous as to be amusing,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “ludicrous.” That means that “sensible” cannot be the correct answer, because “sensible” means “having good sense,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “laughable.” “Ridiculous,” however, is an adjective that means “absurd,” and because “ridiculous” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “laughable,” “ridiculous” is the correct answer.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

EQUITABLE

Possible Answers:

Fragile

Fine

Uneven

Fair

Ceremonial

Correct answer:

Fair

Explanation:

The prefix equi- means same or equal. A situation that is “equitable” is one that is the same for everyone, equal and fair. To provide further help, “fragile” means easily broken; “ceremonial” means done for reasons of tradition or ceremony.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

ABOMINABLE

Possible Answers:

Sincere

Participating

Detestable

Limited

Passable

Correct answer:

Detestable

Explanation:

"Abominable" is an adjective that can mean "causing moral revulsion" or "very bad or unpleasant." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "very bad." Because "detestable" means "deserving intense dislike," it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "abominable" and the correct answer.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

CLARIFY

Possible Answers:

Obscure

Puzzle

Elucidate

Contort

Defy

Correct answer:

Elucidate

Explanation:

The Latin root "clar" means clear, so “clarify” means to make clear. “Obscure” means hide when used as a verb; “puzzle” means confuse; "contort" means twist out of shape; and "defy" means purposely disobey a figure of authority.

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

CONFER

Possible Answers:

Award

Foster

Undermine

Fuse

Surmise

Correct answer:

Award

Explanation:

The prefix "con-" means together, so it makes sense that to “confer” something means to bring, "award," or present that thing to someone in particular. “Surmise” means guess or suppose something to be true; “foster” means encourage or assist; “undermine” means reduce the importance of, subvert, erode, or weaken; and “fuse” means weld together, join, or combine.

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

PORTABLE

Possible Answers:

Mobile

Portentous

Laden

Important

Immense

Correct answer:

Mobile

Explanation:

The "port-" in "portable" derives from the Latin for carry or transport, and the suffix "-able" means able to be, so it makes sense that "portable" means able to be carried easily from place to place. This is close to the meaning of the word “mobile,” which means able to move or be moved easily from one area to another. “Immense” means very big or very important; “laden” means weighed down with or burdened by; "portentous" means ominous or foreboding; and "important" means deserving considerable attention relative to other points or ideas.

Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

MAXIMIZE

Possible Answers:

Perceive

Expand

Undergo

Enliven

Challenge

Correct answer:

Expand

Explanation:

To “maximize” something means to make it as high quality or as big as it can possibly be or to get as much out of something as possible. That means that "expand" is the best answer choice, as "expand" means make larger. As for the other answer choices, "challenge" means urge to participate in a competitive activity with the speaker or contest or dispute; "undergo" means experience something bad or difficult; "perceive" means notice; and "enliven" means add energy to something, often specifically a social gathering.

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