All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #321 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
REJUVENATE
Cleanse
Revive
Relate
Purify
Recount
Revive
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
Father
Ancestor
Descendent
God
Predecessor
Father
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
Resonate
Pervade
Increase
Translate
Fill
Increase
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
Break
Conclude
Illustrate
Dig
Combine
Break
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
Recording
Raise
Mental
Afterword
Summary
Afterword
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
Miniscule
Tranquil
Mute
Blinding
Talkative
Talkative
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
Harry
Lean
Consume
Bother
Harass
Lean
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
Allocate
Disparage
Determine
Serenade
Recommend
Recommend
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
Revealed
Despised
Disguised
Redundant
Surmised
Disguised
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
Reachable
Comfortable
Malleable
Hapless
Fortunate
Reachable
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.