ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #164 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

BESTOW

Possible Answers:

Meander

Request

Confer

Describe

Enthrall

Correct answer:

Confer

Explanation:

“Bestow” means to give or present something to someone. In this sense, it is most similar to the answer choice “confer,” which means to give an award, to present something. To provide further help, “request” means ask for; “enthrall” means captivate and charm; “meander” describes the indirect, side-to-side movement of something, like a river.

Example Question #165 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters.

OUTFOX

Possible Answers:

Get the better of

Defend to the death

Last longer than

Learn to read

Fall over

Correct answer:

Get the better of

Explanation:

To "outfox" means to outwit or to get the better of someone. For example, one might write, “He outfoxed his opponent and emerged victorious.”

Example Question #166 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

BEHOOVE

Possible Answers:

Be insipid 

Be useless

Be required 

Be fitting 

Be unnecessary

Correct answer:

Be fitting 

Explanation:

"Behoove" means be fitting, right or appropriate. For example, one might say that it behooves you to study hard for the ISEE Verbal section. So, "be fitting" is the correct answer. To help you, "required" means needed, and "insipid" means dull or bland.

Example Question #167 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

BEDEVIL

Possible Answers:

Curse

Forage

Harass

Threaten

Correct answer:

Harass

Explanation:

To "bedevil" means harass. The best choice is "harass," which means disturb repeatedly. Considering the other choices, "curse" means wish evil upon something, "forage" means search for, and "threaten" means promise danger towards something or someone.

Example Question #168 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

BEDECK

Possible Answers:

Festoon 

Puncture 

Inquire 

Dispute 

Apprehend 

Correct answer:

Festoon 

Explanation:

The prefix "be-" means to make, to do and “bedeck” means to decorate, to make something look festive. This is close in meaning to “festoon.” To provide further help, “puncture” means pierce; “dispute” means argue against; “inquire” means ask after; “apprehend” means catch or arrest

Example Question #169 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

FOREBODE

Possible Answers:

Praise

Befriend

Collect

Warn

Gesticulate

Correct answer:

Warn

Explanation:

The Old English prefix fore- means before, in front of, coming before, as in "forecast" which is a prediction of future events. So, "forebode" means to warn of, to herald, to foreshadow. To provide additional help, "befriend" means to make friends with; "gesticulate" means gesture to, motion about, to use dramatic body movements to express an idea

Example Question #170 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

BEDECK

Possible Answers:

Apprehend 

Festoon 

Inquire 

Puncture 

Dispute 

Correct answer:

Festoon 

Explanation:

The prefix "be-" means to make, to do and “bedeck” means to decorate, to make something look festive. This is close in meaning to “festoon.” To provide further help, “puncture” means pierce; “dispute” means argue against; “inquire” means ask after; “apprehend” means catch or arrest

Example Question #211 : Synonyms

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

SURPASS

Possible Answers:

Regress

Neutralize

Exceed

Summit

Undermine

Correct answer:

Exceed

Explanation:

When someone "surpasses" something such as a world record in running, it means they "exceed" the previously set limit or expectation. The other answer chocies are as follows: to "summit" is to reach the peak; to "regress" is to go backwards; to "undermine" is to weaken; and to "neutralize" is to counteract.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Other Languages

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

REDOUBTABLE

Possible Answers:

Pathetic

Daunting

Clingy

Gross

Superlative

Correct answer:

Daunting

Explanation:

“Redoubtable” is an adjective that means “formidable” when referring to a person, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “formidable.” That means that “pathetic” cannot be the correct answer, because “pathetic” means “arousing pity,” making it a near antonym, not a synonym, of “redoubtable.” “Daunting,” however, is an adjective that means “intimidating,” and because “daunting” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “redoubtable,” “daunting” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Suffixes

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

PESTICIDE

Possible Answers:

Rat feeder

Insect feeder

Insect tracker

Insect killer

Rat tracker

Correct answer:

Insect killer

Explanation:

The suffix "-cide" means related to killing and the prefix "pest-" means related to pests, such as insects or rats. In this instance, since there is no option for “rat killer” the correct answer is “insect killer.”

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