All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Suffixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DEFLECT
Listen
Throw
Sidetrack
Speak
Shatter
Sidetrack
The prefix "de-" in "deflect" means away from, and the "-flect" portion of the word means to bend, as it comes from the same roots as the word "flexible" (bendable). So, it makes sense that "deflect" can mean bend away from moving in a straight line, often because of having hit something. To “deflect” can also mean cause something to change direction, or to “sidetrack.”
Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Suffixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SATISFY
Fulfill
Renounce
Indicate
Explain
Account
Fulfill
The word "satisfy" comes from Latin roots that mean to make to be enough. The word "satis" in Latin means enough. The suffix "-fy" indicates to do or to make. (This too is from Latin roots, though they are more complex.) Thus, something is satisfying when it is fulfilling. We can sometimes say that food is "satisfying" or "satisfactory," but we might also say that an answer is satisfying or a concert performance is satisfactory. Thus, the correct answer is "fulfill." Something that satisfies fulfills the requirements for that things.
Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Suffixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
COMPEL
Proceed
Judge
Escape
Fret
Pressure
Pressure
The Latin suffix -pel means force, as in "repel" which means to force backwards. So, "compel" means force someone to do something, pressure someone. Additionally, "fret" means worry; "proceed" means continue; to "judge" means to make a decision on something based on evidence.
Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Suffixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ASCEND
Reward
Fall
Climb
Leap
Punish
Climb
The Latin suffix -scend means climb, up, go. So, to "ascend" means to climb upwards. Another example of a -scend word is "descend" which means to go down. Additionally, "leap" means to jump high or far.
Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Suffixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISPUTE
Disappoint
Disavow
Disagree
Displace
Dismember
Disagree
The Latin suffix -put means think, as in "compute," which means calculate, think about and figure out. So, "dispute" means to disagree, to not agree with what someone thinks. Additionally, "disavow" means renounce, deny; "displace" means either to cause to be moved from it's original position or to replace; "dismember" means take apart, particularly with regard to taking apart a living being. The prefix dis- has many different meanings, but it is generally a "negating" prefix. "Negating" means causing something to mean the opposite.
Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Suffixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISTORT
Abandon
Confess
Alter
Decrease
Increase
Alter
The Latin suffix -tort means twist, bend, as in "contort," which means to twist one's body. So, "distort" means to twist out of shape, to change something so that it looks unnatural. The closest answer to this is "alter," which means change. Additionally, "confess" means admit to having done something wrong; "increase" means make larger and "decrease" means make smaller; "abandon" means leave behind.
Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Suffixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRESERVE
Donate
Supplant
Maintain
Lend
Demand
Maintain
The Latin suffix -serv means to keep, to save. So, "preserve" means to save something for the future, to maintain something. To provide additional help, "donate" means give to, usually give to charity; "lend" means allow to borrow; "supplant" means replace.
Example Question #18 : Synonyms: Suffixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CONSTRUCT
Destroy
Lift
Build
Plead
Drive
Build
The Latin root -struct- means build. So, to "construct" means to build. Another example of a -struct- word is "destruct," which means to destroy something that has been built. Additionally, "plead" means beg, urge.
Example Question #19 : Synonyms: Suffixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PERSONIFY
Symbolize
Aggressive
Customize
Humanize
Elate
Symbolize
Notice the little ending on the word "personify." The "-fy" suffix is part of a large family of suffixes and "infixes" (little parts that come inside of words) such as "-fication," "-fac-," and so forth. In general, "-fy" means to do or to make. To "personify" something is to make it a person. Okay, that is a bit strange. But what it means is that one thing makes another thing present in some way. It represents that other thing. Thus, if we say, "Peter personified the very essence of greed," this means that Peter made present the very essence of greed in his person. Thus, "symbolize" is an excellent option.
Example Question #20 : Synonyms: Suffixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EFFICIENT
Expensive
Rapid
Swift
Renowned
Productive
Productive
We tend to think of efficient people as being quick at what they do. This is often the case, but the word "efficient" is above all about being able to get things done. It comes from the same Latin root from which we get the suffix "-fy" / "-fication" and several other related forms. All of these mean to do or make. Thus, it is best to use the word "efficient" to refer to someone who is "productive." If a project is just very slow-going, an efficient person may therefore move slowly through the work. However, so long as he or she does it in a productive manner, he or she deserves to be called "efficient."
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