ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #88 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

ERGONOMIC

Possible Answers:

Comfortable

Egregious

Capricious

Resplendent

Festive

Correct answer:

Comfortable

Explanation:

The Greek prefix ergo- means work, as in "energy" or the ability to do work. So, "ergonomic" means designed to be as comfortable and user-friendly as possible for work. Additionally, "egregious" means shocking, appalling, disgraceful; "capricious" means inconsistent, subject to sudden changes in mood or desire; "resplendent" means magnificent, splendid, attractive and imposing.

Example Question #81 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

NECROMANCER

Possible Answers:

Cretin

Witch

Preacher

Heathen

Conformist

Correct answer:

Witch

Explanation:

The Greek prefix necro- means death, black, as in "necrosis" which is the death of skin or tissue. So, a "necromancer" means practitioner of dark magic. This is closest in meaning to "witch." Additionally, a "heathen" is a non-believer within a religion; a "cretin" is someone lacking morals or intellect, someone deserving of contempt; a "conformist" is someone who follows the generally accepted behavior of a society or group of people.

Example Question #82 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

HEMORRHAGE

Possible Answers:

Weep

Replicate

Expire

Mourn

Bleed

Correct answer:

Bleed

Explanation:

The Greek prefix hemo- means blood. So, a "hemorrhage" is a bleed, to "hemorrhage" is to bleed profusely, to bleed a lot. Additionally, "weep" means cry about; "mourn" means express sorrow for the loss of; to "expire" means to run out, to stop being usable; "replicate" means copy, reproduce

Example Question #131 : Synonyms

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

SOPHISM

Possible Answers:

Fallacy

Epicurean

Savant

Forerunner

Artisan

Correct answer:

Fallacy

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Diffidence

Grievance

Alias

Prototype

Fusion

Correct answer:

Alias

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Outlaw

Ancestor

Descendent

Mosaic

Discord

Correct answer:

Ancestor

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Monotonous

Oppressive

Humiliating

Deleterious

Atrocious

Correct answer:

Oppressive

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Regulated

Readable

Legal

Political

Law-like

Correct answer:

Readable

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

blindness

transmission

vision

unimaginative

oversight

Correct answer:

unimaginative

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

jingoist

dubious

vital

vitriolic

stoic

Correct answer:

jingoist

Explanation:

"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

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors