All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Suffixes
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
PESTICIDE
Rat tracker
Insect tracker
Rat feeder
Insect killer
Insect feeder
Insect killer
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.”
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Suffixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FORMULATE
Create
Understand
Find
Express
Calculate
Create
The answer choice closest in meaning to "formulate" is "create." For example, if you "formulate" a plan, it means that you create a plan.
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Suffixes
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
SEGREGATE
Keep apart
Keep forever
Keep awake
Keep from moving
Keep from winning
Keep apart
The prefix "se-" means apart or away, so “segregate” means keep apart.
Example Question #173 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LAUGHABLE
Sensible
Whiny
Prickly
Bold
Ridiculous
Ridiculous
“Laughable” is an adjective that means “so ridiculous as to be amusing,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “ludicrous.” That means that “sensible” cannot be the correct answer, because “sensible” means “having good sense,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “laughable.” “Ridiculous,” however, is an adjective that means “absurd,” and because “ridiculous” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “laughable,” “ridiculous” is the correct answer.
Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Suffixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EQUITABLE
Ceremonial
Fair
Fragile
Fine
Uneven
Fair
The prefix equi- means same or equal. A situation that is “equitable” is one that is the same for everyone, equal and fair. To provide further help, “fragile” means easily broken; “ceremonial” means done for reasons of tradition or ceremony.
Example Question #174 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ABOMINABLE
Limited
Detestable
Sincere
Participating
Passable
Detestable
"Abominable" is an adjective that can mean "causing moral revulsion" or "very bad or unpleasant." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "very bad." Because "detestable" means "deserving intense dislike," it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "abominable" and the correct answer.
Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Suffixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CLARIFY
Obscure
Puzzle
Defy
Elucidate
Contort
Elucidate
The Latin root "clar" means clear, so “clarify” means to make clear. “Obscure” means hide when used as a verb; “puzzle” means confuse; "contort" means twist out of shape; and "defy" means purposely disobey a figure of authority.
Example Question #175 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CONFER
Award
Surmise
Undermine
Fuse
Foster
Award
The prefix "con-" means together, so it makes sense that to “confer” something means to bring, "award," or present that thing to someone in particular. “Surmise” means guess or suppose something to be true; “foster” means encourage or assist; “undermine” means reduce the importance of, subvert, erode, or weaken; and “fuse” means weld together, join, or combine.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Suffixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PORTABLE
Important
Portentous
Mobile
Laden
Immense
Mobile
The "port-" in "portable" derives from the Latin for carry or transport, and the suffix "-able" means able to be, so it makes sense that "portable" means able to be carried easily from place to place. This is close to the meaning of the word “mobile,” which means able to move or be moved easily from one area to another. “Immense” means very big or very important; “laden” means weighed down with or burdened by; "portentous" means ominous or foreboding; and "important" means deserving considerable attention relative to other points or ideas.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Suffixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MAXIMIZE
Perceive
Expand
Challenge
Undergo
Enliven
Expand
To “maximize” something means to make it as high quality or as big as it can possibly be or to get as much out of something as possible. That means that "expand" is the best answer choice, as "expand" means make larger. As for the other answer choices, "challenge" means urge to participate in a competitive activity with the speaker or contest or dispute; "undergo" means experience something bad or difficult; "perceive" means notice; and "enliven" means add energy to something, often specifically a social gathering.
All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
