All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INTEGRITY
Fame
Magnitude
Statistic
Methodology
Rectitude
Rectitude
The word "integrity" indicates that something is completely together with all of its parts. Thus, "structural integrity" describes the completion and strength of a building that is not falling apart. The word is also used to describe someone's character when it is excellent. Thus, if we say, "Harvey is a man of integrity," we mean to say that he is a morally good man. The word "rectitude" describes such a good character state. It comes from Latin roots for "straight" and is related to words like "erect" and "upright."
Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FRACTURE
Ossify
Shatter
Damage
Cripple
Injure
Shatter
The word "fracture" comes from the Latin "frangere," meaning to break. It is found in words like "fragment" and even "refract." Although we often think of fractures as happening to bones in the human body, the word really applies to any kind of breaking or splintering of something. Thus, the option "shatter" is much better than options like "injure" and "cripple". These are related to what happens when someone fractures his or her bones, but the fracturing itself is the breaking or shattering. The option "damage" is far too general.
Example Question #53 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FRATERNAL
Brotherly
Collegiate
Childish
Youthful
Familial
Brotherly
The word "fraternal" comes from the Latin "frater," meaning brother. A college fraternity is a brotherhood. Something that is "fraternal" has the character of being brotherly. For instance, two friends might have "fraternal affection," meaning that they care for each other like brothers. The same kind of attitude can be found among members of a union in which the members try to help each other as though they were each other's brothers.
Example Question #54 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AROUSE
Expand
Roar
Progress
Enhance
Evoke
Evoke
The word "arouse" generally means to awaken. It can be used to describe the awakening of emotions, thoughts, memories, or other such things. In a way, you can say that something that arouses "calls out" the given thoughts, emotions, etc. To "evoke" something is to do just this. The word "evoke" comes from the prefix "ex-" / "e-," meaning "out of," attached to "-voke," which means to call. (The latter is related to "vocation" and "vocal".) Thus, "evoke" is the best option among those provided.
Example Question #55 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INDIGNANT
Distressed
Maimed
Astonished
Dispirited
Displeased
Displeased
The word "indignant" comes from the Latin root found in "dignity," combined with the prefix "in-," which is here used as a negative prefix meaning not. When someone is "indignant," he or she believes that he or she has been mistreated—has not received a treatment equal to his or her dignity. Among the options provided, do not be tempted by "dispirited," "maimed," or "distressed". None of these express the displeasure that occurs with being indignant. While being indignant does generally imply a good deal of rage at whatever has happened, no option given here expresses that kind of anger. Thus, "displeased" is the best option provided here.
Example Question #56 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ACCLAIM
Laud
Shout
Confer
Yell
Comment
Laud
The word "acclaim" does come from the same root as "exclaim" and "clamor" (the Latin "clamare" meaning to shout). "Acclaim" does not necessarily have to be expressed through shouting. To "acclaim" something most properly means to express praise for that thing publicly. None of the options given here express the idea of public praise, but "laud" does mean to praise. It comes from the Latin "laudare," meaning to praise. We see related uses in the award bearing the Latin title "summa cum laude," meaning, with highest praise.
Example Question #57 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INCITE
Rescind
Covet
Start
Pry
Terminate
Start
The root -cit- is of Latin origin, it means to start, to call out. So to "incite" means to call to action, to start, to inspire. To provide further help, "rescind" means repeal, cancel; "terminate" means finish; "pry" means interfere, spy on; "covet" means desire, want.
Example Question #58 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ELUCIDATE
Explain
Protect
Deny
Conceal
Threaten
Explain
The Latin root -luc- means light. So, to "elucidate" means to shed light on, to explain how something is done. To provide further help, "conceal" means hide.
Example Question #163 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CONFIDE
Envision
Disclose
Divide
Reprimand
Demand
Disclose
The root word -fid- means faith in Latin. So to "confide" means to tell someone something and trust him or her to secrecy, to have faith in someone to keep a secret. This is closest in meaning to "disclose" which means to reveal, to share some truth. To provide further help, "reprimand" means tell off, yell at; "envision" means imagine, picture how something will happen.
Example Question #59 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MALEFACTOR
Assistant
Criminal
Guard
Judge
Performer
Criminal
In the word "malefactor" there are two relevant root words that can be used to help you determine the word's meaning. The prefix mal- means bad, evil and the root -fact- means do, make, build. So, a "malefactor" is someone who does wrong. The closest answer to this is "criminal."
Certified Tutor