ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots to Identify Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #272 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

MISNOMER

Possible Answers:

Inaccurate name

Nominate

Accurate name

Miss

Correct answer:

Inaccurate name

Explanation:

A "misnomer" is an inaccurate name. The best choice is "inaccurate name," as it is part of the definition of "misnomer." This is fitting as a misnomer is a mistake in naming something. Considering the other options, "nominate" means suggest for an honor, "miss" means fail or fail to meet, and "snore" means breathe with harsh sounds while asleep.

Example Question #273 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters.

PRESCIENCE

Possible Answers:

Potentate

Foresight

Amorous

Loathe

Dread

Correct answer:

Foresight

Explanation:

"Prescience" is the quality of knowing what is going to happen; foresight. To provide further help, a "potentate" is a powerful leader; "dread" means fear and "loathe" means hate; "amorous" is a feeling of love.

Example Question #274 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters.

MISOGYNY

Possible Answers:

Hatred of children

Hatred of men

Hatred of women

Hatred of animals

Hatred of old people

Correct answer:

Hatred of women

Explanation:

"Misogyny" is the hatred of women. A misogynist is a man who hates and mistreats women

Example Question #1 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

PROLOGUE

Possible Answers:

Formless 

Forerunner 

Forensic 

Foreword 

Forsake 

Correct answer:

Foreword 

Explanation:

The prefixes "pro-" and "fore-" are very similar to one another. Both prefixes describe something that comes before something else. A “prologue” is the introduction to a story, and as such, the word is most similar in meaning to a “foreword.” None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "prologue": “formless” means without shape; “forerunner” means precursor or thing that comes before something else; “forsake” means abandon; and “forensic” means relating to the application of science to crime solving

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Prefixes

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

MALPRACTICE

Possible Answers:

Misinformed

Misconduct 

Misappropriated

Malcontent  

Maladjusted

Correct answer:

Misconduct 

Explanation:

The prefix "mal-" means bad, so “malpractice” means bad practice, improper behavior. The prefix "mis-" also means bad and is often used similarly to "mal-." The key here is to figure out which suffix is closest in meaning to “practice” and the correct answer is “conduct.” “Misconduct” means doing something wrong, bad conduct. To provide further help, “misappropriated” means given to the wrong people; “misinformed” means told incorrect information; “maladjusted” means not adjusted to one's social environment; “malcontent” means not happy, not content.

Example Question #277 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

DISPARITY

Possible Answers:

Astute 

Accountability 

Repudiate 

Credibility 

Inequality 

Correct answer:

Inequality 

Explanation:

The word “parity” means equality and the prefix "dis-" is a negation prefix, so “disparity” is the opposite of “parity.” The correct answer is therefore “inequality.” To provide further help, someone who is “astute” is shrewd and shows good judgment; “credibility” means believability; “accountability” means responsibility; “repudiate” means  reject, renounce, disavow.

Example Question #278 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

EQUANIMITY

Possible Answers:

Despondency

Inspiration

Composure

Motivation

Hopelessness

Correct answer:

Composure

Explanation:

The prefix equa- means same as, equal to, even, so the word “equanimity” means having an evenness of mind, showing “composure.” “Composure” is a calmness in the face of difficulty. To provide further help, “inspiration” is something that makes you want to do something; “motivation” is the reason for doing something; “despondency” means hopelessness.

Example Question #1 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

DISAVOWAL

Possible Answers:

Renunciation 

Proviso 

Encouragement

Acceptance

Denunciation

Correct answer:

Renunciation 

Explanation:

To “disavow” means to deny or renounce responsibility for someone or something, as such "disavowal" is closest in meaning to “renunciation,” which means rejection or denial of something. To provide further help, “encouragement” is support; a “proviso” is a condition that must be met in order to get something done or attain something; "acceptance" means agreeing to receive something or go along with a plan; and "denunciation" means condemnation.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Prefixes

A synonym of "imperceptible" is __________.

Possible Answers:

wise

prominent

secret

filial

undetectable

Correct answer:

undetectable

Explanation:

"Imperceptible" is an adjective that means "impossible to perceive," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "impossible to perceive." So, "prominent" cannot be the correct answer because one meaning of "prominent" is "situated so as to catch the attention; noticeable," making it an antonym of "imperceptible." "Undetectable," however, is an adjective that means "not able to be detected," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "imperceptible," "undetectable" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

TRANSVERSE

Possible Answers:

Perpendicular

Gradient

Parallel

Slope

Slanting

Correct answer:

Slanting

Explanation:

The prefix trans- means across or travel. The word “transverse” means to travel across something in a slanting or diagonal manner. To provide further help, “parallel” means side-by-side; “perpendicular” means intersecting just once, opposite of parallel; “gradient” and “slope” are synonyms of one another and mathematical terms, both mean incline or angle of rising.

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