ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #62 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

PRESAGE

Possible Answers:

Adorable

Wise

Prodigious

Foreshadow

Precocious

Correct answer:

Foreshadow

Explanation:

When used as a verb, the word “presage” means to be a sign of a future event, often implying that this is a sign of warning. The word comes from the prefix “pre-”, meaning before, and the base “sage,” which does not merely mean wise, but to perceive keenly. Someone who is “sagacious” is wise precisely because that person keenly perceives reality. The word would be used in a sentence like, “In many cultures, the flying of a crow over a barn presaged a poor harvest in the coming year.”

Example Question #63 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

MISNOMER

Possible Answers:

nexus

aberration

husbandry

certitude

grotto

Correct answer:

aberration

Explanation:

"Misnomer" and "aberration" both mean an error or misjudgment. "Certitude" means sureness or certainty. "Nexus" means the center or core. "Husbandry" means farming or agriculture. "Grotto" means a cave or cavern

Example Question #70 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

BENEDICTION

Possible Answers:

Diatribe

Sanctuary

Antithesis

Guise

Blessing

Correct answer:

Blessing

Explanation:

The prefix ben- means good, virtuous in Latin. Also the root -dict- means to do with speaking. So a "benediction" is a spoken blessing. To provide further help, a "sanctuary" is a safe place; "antithesis" means opposite; a "guise" is a disguise, something to hide one's identity; a "diatribe" is a verbal or written attack

Example Question #71 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

CEREBRATE

Possible Answers:

Reason

Outlaw

Disguise

Protest

Ignore

Correct answer:

Reason

Explanation:

In Latin the prefix cereb- means related to the brain. So, to "cerebrate" means to think, to reason, to think carefully and logically. "Cereb-" is an extremely strong push toward this question being focused on the brain or thinking, and "reason" was the only option that had anything to do with mental processes.

Example Question #72 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

CLAMOR

Possible Answers:

Whisper

Agree

Yell

Outline

Disagree

Correct answer:

Yell

Explanation:

The prefix clam- means shout, speak out about. So the word "clamor" means to yell, to speak out passionately about. "Clamor" has nothing to do with agreeing or disagreeing, and "whisper" is an antonym to "clamor."

Example Question #73 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

DIGRESSION

Possible Answers:

Ambition

Acceptance

Reluctance

Delight

Departure

Correct answer:

Departure

Explanation:

The Latin prefix di- means away, apart, opposite, as in "disappear" which means vanish, away from sight. So, a "digression" is a departure from the main point, something apart from the thesis. Additionally, "reluctance" is the state of not wanting to do something; "delight" is happiness, joy; "ambition" is a passionate desire to achieve success

Example Question #74 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

CLAMOR

Possible Answers:

Narrate

Declare

Forgive

Whisper

Shout

Correct answer:

Shout

Explanation:

The Latin prefix clam- means shout, yell, as in "proclaim" which means announce, speak about publicly. So, "clamor" means to shout and yell for something

Example Question #75 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

PREAMBLE

Possible Answers:

Introduction

Conclusion

Index

Thesis

Glossary

Correct answer:

Introduction

Explanation:

The Latin prefix pre- means before, as in "prediction" or "prevent." So, a "preamble" is the introduction to a written work. "Conclusion" is an antonym "introduction" and "preamble." The rest of the terms are academic terms, or sections of a book but are not directly related to "preamble."

Example Question #76 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

CARNAL

Possible Answers:

Erotic

Explicit

Despotic

Outlandish

Implicit

Correct answer:

Erotic

Explanation:

The Latin prefix carn- means related to the body or flesh, meat, as in "carnivorous" which means meat-eater. So, "carnal" means related to sexual desire, erotic. Additionally, "despotic" means autocratic, the rule of one man with absolute power; "outlandish" means eccentric, bizarre and outrageous; "implicit" means suggested at, but not directly expressed; "explicit" means directly expressed with no hidden meaning

Example Question #77 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

VERISIMILITUDE

Possible Answers:

Authenticity

Serendipity

Deity

Ingenuity

Originality

Correct answer:

Authenticity

Explanation:

The Latin prefix ver- means truth, honesty, as in "verify," which means to confirm that something is true. So, "verisimilitude" means the appearance of being true, authenticity, plausibility, realism. Additionally, a "deity" is a God; "serendipity" is the occurrence of something through good fortune, providence, luck; "originality" is the quality of being original and unique; "ingenuity" is the quality of being inventive and creative.

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