ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #76 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

ADVOCATE

Possible Answers:

Determine

Serenade

Allocate

Disparage

Recommend

Correct answer:

Recommend

Explanation:

The Latin root -voc- means voice, speak, call, as in "vocal" which means outspoken, loud or "vocalize" which means speak, express. So, "advocate" means speak out in favor of, speak in support of, recommend. To provide additional help, "serenade" means sing to, play music for; "disparage" means mock and criticize; "allocate" means decide who gets what share of something and then hand it out; "determine" means decide.

Example Question #77 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

INCOGNITO

Possible Answers:

Redundant

Disguised

Surmised

Despised

Revealed

Correct answer:

Disguised

Explanation:

The Latin root -cogn- means know, knowledge, as in "recognize" which means to notice or know someone. So, "incognito" means in disguise, dressed up so no one will know you. Additionally, "revealed" means displayed, shown after previously being hidden; "despised" means hated; "surmised" means guessed at, estimated at, determined is true without conclusive evidence; "redundant" means no longer useful because it has been replaced by something better.

Example Question #78 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

ACCESSIBLE

Possible Answers:

Malleable

Comfortable

Reachable

Hapless

Fortunate

Correct answer:

Reachable

Explanation:

The Latin root -cess- means go, yield, obtain. So "accessible" means able to be reached, able to be accessed, reachable. Another example of a -cess- word is "exceed" which means to go beyond. Additionally, "fortunate" means lucky; "hapless" means unfortunate, unlucky; "malleable" means flexible, changeable

Example Question #79 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

EVACUATE

Possible Answers:

Remove

Imply

Indicate

Insert

Suggest

Correct answer:

Remove

Explanation:

The Latin root -vac- means empty, without, as in "vacant" which means empty, not occupied. So, "evacuate" means to remove people from an area, to make an area empty. To provide additional help, "insert" means add to and the other three answer choices are all synonyms they all mean to hint at or propose an idea

Example Question #80 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

POSTPONE

Possible Answers:

Scold

Detect

Appear

Delay

Vanish

Correct answer:

Delay

Explanation:

The Latin root -pon- means put, so "postpone" means to put off until later, to delay. Additionally, "detect" means notice, observe the presence of; "vanish" means disappear; "scold" means tell off, punish

Example Question #81 : Synonyms: Roots

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

PUGNACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Callous

Cooperative

Reprehensible

Squalid

Combative

Correct answer:

Combative

Explanation:

The latin root -pugn- means fight, so "pugnacious" means aggressive, combative, quick to anger, hostile. To provide additional help, "callous" means harsh and uncaring; "reprehensible" means behavior that is disgraceful, deserving of harsh criticism; "cooperative" means helpful, willing to work with others; "squalid" means dirty, filthy, poor and wretched

Example Question #82 : Synonyms: Roots

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

ANNOUNCE

Possible Answers:

Concentrate

Possess

Suffer

Declare

Reprise

Correct answer:

Declare

Explanation:

The Latin roots -noun- and -nunc- mean declare, speak about, as in "denounce," which means to speak out against something, to declare something is wrong or malevolent. So, "announce" means to publicly declare. Additionally, "reprise" means repeat a performance of, repeat a character; "concentrate" means focus on; "possess" means have, own; "suffer" means experience pain

Example Question #83 : Synonyms: Roots

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

ENDURING

Possible Answers:

Pausing

Completing

Halting

Finishing

Continuing

Correct answer:

Continuing

Explanation:

The Latin root -dur- means tough, hard, lasting, as in "durable," which means able to withstand pressure, long lasting, tough. So, "enduring" means lasting or continuing. Additionally, "halting" means pausing, stopping; "completing" means finishing

Example Question #84 : Synonyms: Roots

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

MALODOROUS

Possible Answers:

Unattractive

Firm

Loud

Gross

Smelly

Correct answer:

Smelly

Explanation:

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 #85 : Synonyms: Roots

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

INVINCIBLE

Possible Answers:

Impassive

Important

Unlikely

Interesting

Unbeatable

Correct answer:

Unbeatable

Explanation:

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

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