ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #321 : Synonyms

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

REJUVENATE

Possible Answers:

Cleanse

Revive

Relate

Purify

Recount

Correct answer:

Revive

Explanation:

The word "rejuvenate" comes from two Latin roots. The prefix "re-" used here means again. You see it in words like "recant" and "repeat," as well as the options "revive" and "relate" mentioned in this question. The "-juvenate" portion comes from a root meaning young. When someone acts in a "juvenile" manner, he or she acts like he or she is immature or young. Thus, to "rejuvenate" means to make something feel or become young. It thus also means to renew or to revive. The latter is the correct answer, and it means literally to make something have life again.

Example Question #322 : Synonyms

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

PATRIARCH

Possible Answers:

Father

Ancestor

Descendent

God

Predecessor

Correct answer:

Father

Explanation:

The word "patriarch" comes from the Latin word "pater," which means father. A "patriarchy" is a kind of society in which fathers (and males in general) have the most power. This is contrasted to a "matriarchy" in which mothers (and women in general) have power. ("Mater" is the Latin word for mother.) Now, "patriarch" could be any male ancestor. Thus, Jewish people refer to Abraham as being one of their patriarchs, for they see him as being a "father" to their people. It is also fine to refer to any father as a "patriarch." Indeed, even the word "father" can often be used to describe an important ancestor or figure who is not an immediate father. In this respect, think of the expression, "Founding fathers" often used to describe those men who played a key role in the founding of the American republic.

Example Question #323 : Synonyms

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

AMPLIFY

Possible Answers:

Resonate

Pervade

Increase

Translate

Fill

Correct answer:

Increase

Explanation:

The word "amplify" comes from two Latin roots. The stem of the word, "ampli-," comes from the Latin word for large. Perhaps you have heard of the word "ample," which means large or abundant. The "-fy" suffix also comes from Latin and means to do or to make. Thus, something that "amplifies" is a thing that makes something larger or more intense. Often, we use the word "amplifier" for something that makes sound on a stereo to be louder. Thus, the best option among those given is "increase." When you "amplify" something, you increase its size or intensity.

Example Question #324 : Synonyms

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

FRACTURE

Possible Answers:

Break

Conclude

Illustrate

Dig

Combine

Correct answer:

Break

Explanation:

The best synonym is "break." Fracture comes from the Latin roots "fract" and "frangere," meaning to break (e.g. "fraction," "fracking," "fragile," "fragment").

Example Question #325 : Synonyms

POSTSCRIPT

Possible Answers:

Recording

Raise

Mental

Afterword

Summary

Correct answer:

Afterword

Explanation:

Postscript comes from the Latin prefix "post" meaning "after." Script comes from the Latin word "scriptus" meaning written. Postscript can be defined as written after, such as an appendix or epilogue. Therefore, "Afterword" is the correct synonym. A "postcript" does not necessarily provide a "summary," it merely comes at the end of a document.

Example Question #326 : Synonyms

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

LOQUACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Miniscule

Tranquil

Mute

Blinding

Talkative

Correct answer:

Talkative

Explanation:

The best synonym is "talkative." "Loquacious" comes from the Latin root "loqui" meaning speak. Therefore, someone who is "loquacious "speaks a great deal or is talkative, with an additional meaning that their speech is eloquent.

"Tranquil" refers to disposition, not speech. "Mute" is an antonym to "loquacious," as it refers to silent or incapable of speech.

Example Question #327 : Synonyms

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

RECLINE

Possible Answers:

Harry

Lean

Consume

Bother

Harass

Correct answer:

Lean

Explanation:

The Latin root -clin- means lean, lean back, so to "recline" means to lean back, to lie back in a chair. Another example of a -clin- word is "incline" which means slope, leaning forwards. Additionally, "consume" means devour, eat, use. Finally, the other three answer choices are all synonyms they all mean to annoy, pester, and bother someone.

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.

ADVOCATE

Possible Answers:

Allocate

Disparage

Determine

Serenade

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 #282 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

INCOGNITO

Possible Answers:

Revealed

Despised

Disguised

Redundant

Surmised

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 #283 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

ACCESSIBLE

Possible Answers:

Reachable

Comfortable

Malleable

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

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors