ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Roots

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Roots

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

INTEGRITY

Possible Answers:

Fame

Magnitude

Statistic

Methodology

Rectitude

Correct answer:

Rectitude

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Ossify

Shatter

Damage

Cripple

Injure

Correct answer:

Shatter

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Brotherly

Collegiate

Childish

Youthful

Familial

Correct answer:

Brotherly

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Expand

Roar

Progress

Enhance

Evoke

Correct answer:

Evoke

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Distressed

Maimed

Astonished

Dispirited

Displeased

Correct answer:

Displeased

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Laud

Shout

Confer

Yell

Comment

Correct answer:

Laud

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Rescind

Covet

Start

Pry

Terminate

Correct answer:

Start

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Explain

Protect

Deny

Conceal

Threaten

Correct answer:

Explain

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Envision

Disclose

Divide

Reprimand

Demand

Correct answer:

Disclose

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Assistant

Criminal

Guard

Judge

Performer

Correct answer:

Criminal

Explanation:

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." 

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors