All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #25 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SCRIBE
Writer
Painter
Sailor
Mother
Father
Writer
To solve this problem it is necessary to consider the meaning of the root of the word "scribe." The root word -scrib- means write, so a "scribe" is a writer. To "inscribe" is to write in for example.
Example Question #131 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INCREDIBLE
Unlikely
Unwelcoming
Unbelievable
Believable
Likely
Unbelievable
To solve this synonym you have to examine the roots in the word "incredible." -cred- means believe and in- means not. So the word "incredible" means not believable, which is the same as "unbelievable." Notice here how the prefixes in- and un- both function the same way, they take the original meaning of the word and negate it causing it to mean the opposite. So "unwelcoming" means not welcoming.
Example Question #132 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VERSATILE
Adaptable
Viable
Portable
Incapable
Incomprehensible
Adaptable
The roots -vers- and -vert- mean turn. As in, "revert" which means turn back, return to a previous state. "Versatile" means adaptable, able to change to suit different environments or situations. It helps to think of it like this "versatile" = able to turn towards a different approach. Additionally, "viable" means workable, capable of being accomplished; "portable" means able to be moved, able to be carried; "incapable" means not capable, not able to do something; "incomprehensible" means not able to be understood. Based on these words what do you think the suffixes -able and -ible mean?
Example Question #28 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISMAL
Joyful
Ecstatic
Depressing
Euphoric
Celebratory
Depressing
The root -mal- means bad. It is a very common prefix and appears in words like "malevolent" which means bad natured and "malicious" which means cruel. So, "dismal" must mean something bad. All of these answer choices describe a state of happiness, except "depressing" which means very sad. "Dismal" means depressing, gloomy, dark.
Example Question #29 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CONVEY
Whine
Stare
Mumble
Transport
Tumble
Transport
The roots -vey- and -vect- mean carry, move. So, to "convey" means to move from one place to another. This is identical in meaning to "transport." Additionally, "whine" means complain about; "stare" means look at intensely; "tumble" means trip, fall over; "mumble" means whisper, talk quietly, talk in a way that is hard to understand.
Example Question #30 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ENAMORED
Circumstantial
Momentous
Alleviated
Captivated
Frustrated
Captivated
The root -amor- means love, friend. So, "enamored" means in love with, obsessed with. This is closest in meaning to "captivated" which means fascinated by, attracted to, in love with. Additionally, "momentous" means massive, of great importance; "frustrated" means annoyed, irritated; "alleviated" means (of pain) made better, soothed; "circumstantial" means (of evidence) indirect, only partially relevant or applicable.
Example Question #133 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CLARIFY
Inquire
Explain
Salvage
Hesitate
Occupy
Explain
The prefix clar- means clear and the suffix -ify means to make into. So, to "clarify" something means to make it clear, to make it able to be understood. This is closest in meaning to "explain." Additionally, "salvage" means rescue, save, particularly save from being thrown away; "hesitate" means delay, pause; "inquire" means ask about, question; "occupy" means take up the space of.
Example Question #133 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VISIBLE
Obtuse
Dense
Clear
Acute
Parallel
Clear
The prefix vis- means see, sight and the suffix -ible means able to be. So, "visible" means able to be seen. This is closest in meaning to "clear." Additionally, "dense" means thick; "acute" can mean sharp, clever or severe, intense or it can describe an angle in mathematics that is less than ninety-degrees; "obtuse" can mean stupid, not clever or it can describe an angle in mathematics that is more than ninety-degrees, but less than one-hundred-and-eighty-degrees; "parallel" means in line with, a line that runs alongside another line.
Example Question #135 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INCISION
Cut
Brain
Bone
Muscle
Wound
Cut
The root -cis- means cut. As in "concise" which means cut to the point, exactly to the point. So, an "incision" is a cut made in something.
Example Question #134 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PROPEL
Replace
Donate
Gather
Push
Pull
Push
The prefix pro- means push and the suffix -pel means forward, through. So, to "propel" means to push forward or simply to push. Additionally, "gather" means collect; "replace" means get a new version of something else, take the old place of; "donate" means give to (charity).
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All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
