All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #131 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SOPHISM
Fallacy
Epicurean
Savant
Forerunner
Artisan
Fallacy
The Greek prefix soph- means wise, as in "philosopher" or "sophisticated;" however, in "sophist" it has a contrary meaning. A "sophist" is a misleading argument, an argument that appears wise but is in fact not. This is closest in meaning to "fallacy," which means an incorrect argument or assumption. Additionally, "epicurean" means hedonist, a lover of pleasure and indulgence; a "savant" is a learned person, particularly someone who seems to have unusually intense expertise in one area; an "artisan" is a craftsman, a skilled-worker; a "forerunner" is something or someone that comes before the development or emergence of something or someone else, a precursor.
Example Question #132 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PSEUDONYM
Diffidence
Grievance
Alias
Prototype
Fusion
Alias
The prefix "pseudo-" means fake or artificial, so it makes sense that a “pseudonym” is a fake name, or an “alias.” A “grievance” is an injustice you feel has been done to you or a problem you might have with something; “fusion” means blend or combination; “diffidence” is lack of self-confidence; and a “prototype” is a first model of something.
Example Question #133 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FOREBEAR
Outlaw
Ancestor
Descendent
Mosaic
Discord
Ancestor
The prefix "fore-" means before, so it makes sense that "forebear" means progenitor or "ancestor." As for the other answers, “descendent” means someone who descends from a particular person or animal; an “outlaw” is a criminal; "discord” means disagreement or conflict; and a “mosaic” is a pattern or picture produced by arranging many small colorful pieces of glass in a ceramic base.
Example Question #134 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OVERBEARING
Monotonous
Oppressive
Humiliating
Deleterious
Atrocious
Oppressive
The prefix "over-" means above or superior, so it makes sense that “overbearing” means assuming superiority and acting oppressively and arrogantly towards others. This means that "oppressive" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “monotonous” means boring, uniform, and predictable; “humiliating” means debasing or embarrassing, “atrocious” means appalling, terrible, and disgusting; “deleterious” means harmful.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LEGIBLE
Regulated
Readable
Legal
Political
Law-like
Readable
The word “legible” comes from the Latin “legere” meaning to read. The English word means clear and readable. It is related to the word “lector,” which means reader. Often people will talk about “legible handwriting,” but the word can be used to describe print words that are likewise readable.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MYOPIC
blindness
transmission
vision
unimaginative
oversight
unimaginative
If you did notice the meaning of eyes in the “-opic” portion of this word, you were on the right track. What “myopic” literally means is shut-eyes. When someone has “myopia,” that person is nearsighted (needing corrective lenses to see things at distance). Someone is called myopic when that person figuratively has shut eyes or is unable to imagine or think about things that are not immediately at hand. The person is “unimaginative” and perhaps intellectually uncreative. The word would be used in a sentence like, “Since the couple rarely left their state of residence, they were quite myopic regarding potential employment options since they only thought in terms of their local economy.”
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
CHAUVINIST
jingoist
dubious
vital
vitriolic
stoic
jingoist
"Chauvinist" and "jingoist" both mean bigoted or overly patriotic. "Stoic" means philosophic. "Vital" means essential or critical. "Dubious" means doubtful or equivocal. "Vitriolic" means bitter or scathing.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Suffixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CARTOGRAPHER
Analyst
Geometer
Mariner
Mapmaker
Cook
Mapmaker
Looking at the parts of this word, we can get a general idea of its meaning. The “-grapher” clearly means “one who draws, graphs, records, etc.” A “photographer” can be said to take a record of the light (“photo-”) in the sense of recording the image before the camera. The “carto-” portion of the word is related to “card” and ultimately to the word “map.” Even if you cannot get to that last point, if you at least see the similarity to “card,” you will likely avoid the options “geometer” and “geomancer.” Based on what has been said, the best option is “mapmaker.”
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
NULLIFY
Sanctify
Vituperate
Validate
Ratify
Revoke
Revoke
"Nullify" and "revoke" both mean to cancel or invalidate. "Validate" means to ascertain the truth of something. "Ratify" means to affirm or authorize. "Sanctify" means to hold in highest esteem. "Vituperate" means to criticize sharply.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Suffixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LAUDABLE
Foreseen
Acceptable
Exacting
Adequate
Commendable
Commendable
To “laud” someone is to praise that person. When something is “laudable,” it is “praise worthy.” The only word matching this is “commendable” which itself means “deserving of praise.”
All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
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