All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #281 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MALODOROUS
Unattractive
Loud
Gross
Smelly
Firm
Smelly
In the word "malodorous" there are two relevant Latin roots. The first mal- means bad, as in "malevolent," which means bad natured, evil, wicked. The second is -odor- which means related to smell or scent. So, "malodorous" means smelly, unpleasantly smelling, disgusting, stinky, fetid.
Example Question #286 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INVINCIBLE
Interesting
Unbeatable
Important
Impassive
Unlikely
Unbeatable
The Latin root -vinc- means conquer, win, as in "victory." So, "invincible" means unable to be conquered, indestructible, unbeatable. Additionally, "impassive" means not showing or feeling emotions.
Example Question #81 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ENUMERATE
List
Attract
Compel
Repel
Allow
List
The Latin root -numer- means number, as in "numerous" which means a large number of something. So, to "enumerate" means to make a numbered list of something. Additionally, "repel" means force back, fight off; "compel" means force to do something.
Example Question #82 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DERIDE
Mock
Detain
Discuss
Kill
Impair
Mock
The word "deride" comes from the Latin word for to laugh. Whenever we "ridicule" someone, we mock that person or "laugh at them." In a way, you can think of the expression "being a laughing stock." This means that someone is being ridiculed or derided. When we "deride" someone, we mock that person. Mockery is a mean way of "making fun of" someone. (Do you see that the word "deride" has a form similar to "ridicule"? Both words come from the Latin "ridere," meaning to laugh.)
Example Question #83 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LUMINOUS
Surprising
Fading
Increasing
Brilliant
Dim
Brilliant
The word "luminous" is related to the word "illuminate." They both come from Latin roots meaning light. Whenever we "illuminate" a room, we add light to it. Something that is "luminous" is shining or bright. The word "brilliant" is often used to mean very intelligent; however, this comes from the idea that such a person has a "very bright or shining mind." It is a bit metaphorical. The word "brilliant" means to shine, and this is a good synonym for "luminous."
Example Question #84 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DOCILE
Forgetful
Intelligent
Regular
Quiet
Submissive
Submissive
The word "docile" comes from Latin roots meaning to teach. The words "doctor," "indoctrinate," "doctrine," and "document" all come from the same root. A "doctor" is someone who has been taught very thoroughly, and a "doctrine" is a teaching. Whenever a person is described as being "docile," he or she is teachable. Hence, the best option is "submissive." Someone who is "submissive" is someone who lets himself or herself be taught (or, at least, led) by someone else.
Example Question #85 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ILLITERATE
Irrational
Remote
Ignorant
Learning
Plain
Ignorant
The word "illiterate" comes from the Latin word for letters. Whenever we talk about the "literal" meaning of something, we want to know "what the letters mean"—i.e. what it means without any additional interpretation. Whenever someone is "illiterate," he or she cannot read or communicate via written language. Thus, an illiterate person is generally an uneducated person. Thus, the word "ignorant" is sometimes a fine synonym for "illiterate."
Example Question #91 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ALIENATE
Isolate
Forgive
Condemn
Invade
Arrive
Isolate
The words "alien" and "alienate" come from Latin roots meaning other. Whenever something is "alien," it is foreign to us—it is something "other" in the sense of being different. The verb form "alienate" describes the process of making something appear to be foreign or other. Thus, the only option that is adequate for this question is "isolate." Whenever we "alienate" people, we isolate them from each other.
Example Question #92 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IMITATION
Dull
Mockery
Simulation
Display
Occupation
Simulation
Whenever we "imitate" something else, we try to copy that thing. The word "imitate" comes from roots meaning image. Think of what we mean when we call a picture an "image." It is a kind of copy of something else. This is the general idea of being an "imitation." Another example that might be familiar to you is "imitation vanilla." Because vanilla can be expensive, some companies make a kind of vanilla by artificial processes. Thus, they make a kind of replica of vanilla or they attempt to simulate vanilla flavoring. The best option provided for this question is "simulation," which expresses this general idea of being a copy or an imitation.
Example Question #93 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VILIFY
Infuriate
Frighten
Attack
Defame
Concur
Defame
The word "vilify" is made up of two stems with which you should be familiar. The first portion is related to "vile." Whenever something is "vile," it is very unpleasant. Sometimes, we use the word to describe something that is very disgusting. The suffix "-fy" means to do or to make. Thus, to "vilify" someone is to make that person appear to be disgusting or unpleasant. In general, the word is used to describe how we can ruin someone's appearance in public by saying bad things about them. Thus, the word "defame" is excellent, for it means to ruin someone's reputation.
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All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
