All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #46 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BEMUSE
Morose
Amuse
Inspire
Meander
Perplex
Perplex
“Bemuse” means make confused, perplex, or bewilder. To provide further help, “meander” means move indirectly to one's destination, like a river, and “morose” means miserable and serious.
Example Question #47 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
RESOLVED
Explained
Reversed
Decided
Understood
Circled
Decided
"Resolve" has several meanings, one of which is to decide. For example, one might write, "After getting sick from eating too many cookies, Brad resolved to never eat cookies again." So, since "resolved" means decided, "decided" is the correct answer.
Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
COMPILE
Disperse
Collide
Organize
Inhabit
Fetch
Organize
"Compile" means collect into a volume or a list, so "organize" would be the best choice here. "Disperse," meaning scatter, has the opposite meaning.
Example Question #52 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
ENCAPSULATE
Include
Exclude
Organize
Tablet
Medicine
Include
To "encapsulate" something means to surround it or include it. Think of a capsule of medicine; the capsule surrounds or includes the medicine inside it. So, "include" is the correct answer.
Example Question #53 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
OBSTRUCT
Despicable
Astute
Assist
Hinder
Forfeit
Hinder
The prefix "ob-" means get in the way of or hinder, as in “obstruct” or “obstacle.” So, "hinder" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "obstruct": “assist” means help; “forfeit” means quit or surrender; “despicable” means evil or wicked; and “astute” means sharp or clever.
Example Question #101 : Synonyms
Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
SUPERIMPOSE
Overlay
Promote
Mitigate
Declare
Interject
Overlay
The prefix "super-" usually means better or best but can also mean over or on top, so the word “superimpose” means to put something on top of something else. The closest answer choice to this is “overlay.” To provide further help, “interject” means interrupt; “mitigate” means lessen, alleviate; “declare” means announce, say formally; “promote” means support.
Example Question #102 : Synonyms
Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
PERVADE
Undermine
Demand better of
Wishful thinking
Lose altogether
Spread throughout
Spread throughout
The prefix per- means through, so the word “pervade” means to spread, or to have spread, throughout something. To provide further help, “undermine” means weaken.
Example Question #103 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
REINFORCE
Strengthen
Hinder
Influence
Block
Establish
Strengthen
In this question, the answer that makes the most sense is strengthen or support. When you reinforce, you strengthen something.
Example Question #54 : Synonyms: Prefixes
Synonyms: select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to that of the word in capital letters.
EXPEDITE
facilitate
evacuate
flee
cancel
facilitate
To "expedite" literally means "to free the foot;" (you may recognize the "ped" root from words such as "pedicure"). It derives from the same roots as the noun, "expedition," though it has a different meaning. Given the etymology of "expedite," you might (logically) think that it means "to flee." A red flag arises, however, when you see the other option of "evacuate," which has a very similar sense to "flee." Sometimes you can use an observation like this to eliminate possibilities: two near-synonyms among your answer choices likely means that both are wrong. The true sense of the English word "expedite" is to make easier or facilitate: your "foot" is "freed" (metaphorically) from imPEDiments.
Example Question #105 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EXCISE
Prepare
Create
Remove
Invoke
Edify
Remove
The root "cis" means related to cutting and the prefix "ex-" means related to leaving or being sent away. So “excise” literally means to cut away, but also means “remove.” To provide further help, “prepare” means get ready; “create” means make; “edify” means build; “invoke” means call upon.