All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #133 : 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 #134 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISMAL
Celebratory
Depressing
Euphoric
Ecstatic
Joyful
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 #135 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CONVEY
Tumble
Whine
Stare
Transport
Mumble
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 #136 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ENAMORED
Circumstantial
Frustrated
Alleviated
Momentous
Captivated
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 #137 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CLARIFY
Explain
Inquire
Occupy
Hesitate
Salvage
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 #138 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VISIBLE
Acute
Clear
Obtuse
Parallel
Dense
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 #139 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INCISION
Muscle
Wound
Bone
Brain
Cut
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 #140 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PROPEL
Donate
Push
Pull
Replace
Gather
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).
Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CONTRADICT
Move
Argue
Vent
Waver
Vend
Argue
The prefix contra- means against and the suffix -dict means speak. So, to "contradict" means to speak against, to argue. Additionally, "vent" means express frustration, let off steam; "vend" means sell; "waver" means to be unsure of oneself and frequently be changing one's mind.
Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Using Roots To Identify Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INANIMATE
Lethal
Lifeless
Painstaking
Frail
Horrendous
Lifeless
The prefix in- means not and the root -anima- means life. So, "inanimate" means not living, lifeless, devoid of life. Additionally, "horrendous" means terrible; "painstaking" means done with careful attention to detail; "lethal" means deadly; "frail" means weak, sick.
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor