ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #35 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

ARMS

Possible Answers:

Anatomy

Philosophy

Society

Weaponry

Medicine

Correct answer:

Weaponry

Explanation:

The prefix arm- means weapon, war. As in "disarm," which means to make safe, to take a weapon away from. So, "arms" are weapons or weaponry. Additionally, "society" is the name given to a group of people; "philosophy" is the study of the essential nature of things, literally the love of wisdom; "anatomy" is the area of science that studies the body structure of living beings.

Example Question #36 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

THERMAL

Possible Answers:

Mass

Speed

Heat

Velocity

Height

Correct answer:

Heat

Explanation:

The prefix therm- means hot, heat. As in "thermometer," which is something used to measure temperature. "Thermal" means related to heat, so the best answer choice here is of course "heat." Additionally, "mass" refers to the weight of something (in the science classroom the definition is a little more complicated, but for the purposes of practical vocabulary "mass" and "weight" are the same). Finally, "velocity" refers to speed

Example Question #37 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

CREED

Possible Answers:

Apathy

Empathy

Belief

Reputation

Naivety

Correct answer:

Belief

Explanation:

The prefix cred- means believe. As in "incredible," which literally means unbelievable, too amazing to be easily believed. So, a "creed" is a belief. Additionally, "empathy" is the ability to feel what others are feeling; "apathy" is not caring; "naivety" is believing everything, being too easily convinced by others; your "reputation" is what others believe to be true about you, how others think of you.

Example Question #38 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

PORTER

Possible Answers:

Carrier

Mentor

Soldier

Doctor

Miser

Correct answer:

Carrier

Explanation:

The prefix port- means carry or move. As in "transport," which means to move from one place to another. So, a "porter" is a carrier, someone who carries something. Additionally, a "miser" is someone who is not generous with money; a "mentor" is someone who guides someone else.

Example Question #39 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

PROLONG

Possible Answers:

Retire

Offend

Extend

Discover

Menace

Correct answer:

Extend

Explanation:

The prefix pro- means forward. So, to "prolong" means to extend, to extend something forward into the future. Additionally, to "discover" means to find; to "offend" means to upset someone, to cause anger; "menace" means threaten, scare; to "retire" means to stop doing something, often to stop working.

Example Question #40 : Synonyms: Using Prefixes To Identify Synonyms

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

SCRIBBLE

Possible Answers:

Complete

Squash

Intend

Write

Pinch

Correct answer:

Write

Explanation:

The prefix scrib- means write. As in "scribe" which means writer. So, "scribble" means to doodle, to write messily. This is, of course, closest in meaning to "write." Additionally, "complete" means finish; to "intend" means to mean to do, to deliberately do.

Example Question #1131 : Synonyms

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

DIVERGE

Possible Answers:

Remain

Split

Preserve

Spoil

Instruct

Correct answer:

Split

Explanation:

The prefixes bi- and di- mean two. As in, "biweekly" which means happening every two weeks. "Diverge" means split, separate and go in different directions. It helps to think of it like "diverge" = to go in two different directions. Additionally, "remain" means stay; "spoil" means ruin; "preserve" means maintain, save something for future use; "instruct" can mean either order, tell or teach, educate

Example Question #1132 : Synonyms

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

CHRONICLE

Possible Answers:

Scatter

Amuse

Record

Rush

Reproduce

Correct answer:

Record

Explanation:

The prefix chron- means time. So, a "chronicle" is a record of events that have happened over time. Additionally, "amuse" means entertain, make laugh; "scatter" means spread out; "reproduce" means make another copy of or produce a child; "rush" means force something to happen too quickly.

Example Question #71 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

ATYPICAL

Possible Answers:

Earsplitting

Tightfisted

Uncommon

Roomy

Gullible

Correct answer:

Uncommon

Explanation:

The prefix a- means not. So, "atypical" means not typical, not normal, uncommon. Additionally, "tightfisted" means not generous with money, not likely to spend money; "earsplitting" means deafening, extremely loud; "gullible" means easily tricked into believing something, easily lied to; "roomy" means spacious, containing lots of room.

Example Question #72 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

COMMUNAL

Possible Answers:

Vulgar

Tender

Shared

Efficient

Remorseful

Correct answer:

Shared

Explanation:

The prefix commu- means share. As in, "community" or "communism." So, "communal" means shared among a group. Additionally, "tender" means soft and delicate, caring; "remorseful" means feeling sorry for a wrongdoing; "vulgar" means rude and tasteless, lacking class; "efficient" means able to work quickly and correctly.

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