All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #5 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EXTRAORDINARY
Unique
Pitiable
Despicable
Incredible
Persistent
Incredible
The prefix "extra-" means beyond, so it makes sense that “extraordinary” means beyond ordinary, or "incredible." As for the other answer choices, “unique” means one-of-a-kind or different; “despicable” means evil or terrible and thus deserving to be hated; "persistent" means stubborn or continuing; and "pitiable" means evoking emotions of feeling sorry for something or someone.
Example Question #11 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FORECAST
Illuminate
Predict
Laugh
Route
Create
Predict
The prefix "fore-" means in front of or coming before, so it makes sense that to “forecast” means to predict what is coming in the future. A “route” is a way to get from one place to another; “illuminate” means shine light on; “create” means make.
Example Question #12 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MAXIMUM
Least
Mediocre
Most
Worst
Best
Most
The "maximum" can be used as an adjective or a noun and means greatest or most as an adjective and the greatest amount of a particular thing one can have or achieve as a noun; so, "most" is the correct answer. “Mediocre” means average when greater quality or quantity was expected.
Example Question #13 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MISPRINT
Smudge
Respect
Error
Publication
Value
Error
The prefix "mis-" means not or incorrect, so it makes sense that "misprint" means an instance in which a newspaper or other publication published incorrect information. The answer choice closest in meaning to "misprint" is thus "error." “Value” is how much something is worth, often in terms of money; “respect” means admiration and reverence; a "smudge" is a blurred spot of dirt or other substance on something that typically mars its appearance; and a "publication" is something that is published regularly, like a newspaper or a journal.
Example Question #14 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
POPULAR
Uncovered
Well-liked
Chatty
False
Incoherent
Well-liked
“Popular” means liked or appealing to a lot of people, or “well-liked.” As for the other answer choices, “uncovered” means shown or not covered or hidden; “incoherent” means not able to be understood; "false" means not true or inauthentic; and "chatty" means liking to talk at length about relatively unimportant subjects.
Example Question #15 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LIBERTY
Economy
Technology
Freedom
Slavery
Finance
Freedom
"Liberty” means "freedom." “Slavery” is the opposite of “freedom” and “liberty”; it is a system where men own other men. The “economy” is the collective name for the producing, buying, and selling of everything; “finance” is to do with banking and handling of money; and “technology” refers to machines created by people to do something.
Example Question #16 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CERTAIN
Bemused
Sure
International
Unsure
Uncomfortable
Sure
To be “certain” means to be sure of one's decision or opinion, so "sure" is the correct answer. The prefix "un-" means not, so “unsure” means not sure and “uncomfortable” means not comfortable. “Bemused” means confused, and "international” means between nations or global.
Example Question #17 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
COLLISION
Change
Crash
Assistance
Grasp
Hint
Crash
The prefix "co-" means together, so it makes sense that a "collision" is an instance of two physical things coming together forcefully, or a "crash." As for the other answer choices, “hint” means clue that helps someone solve a problem or riddle, often given by someone who already knows the answer; "grasp," when used as a noun, means grip or hold on something or someone; "assistance" means help; and "change," when used as a noun, means alteration.
Example Question #18 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISAPPEAR
Convey
Allude
Mistake
Vanish
Resume
Vanish
The prefix "dis-" means not or away, or it makes a word mean its opposite. It thus makes sense that "disappear" means the opposite of "appear"—that is, "disappear" means "vanish." As for the other answer choices, "resume" means continue; “mistake,” when used as a verb, means confuse something or someone with something or someone else; “allude” means hint at; and "convey" means impart or transport.
Example Question #19 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HYPERACTIVE
Optimistic
Pessimistic
Absolved
Distraught
Overactive
Overactive
The prefix "hyper-" means too much, so it makes sense that “hyperactive” means too active, making "overactive" the correct answer, as "over-" also means too much, meaning that "overactive" also means too active. As for the other answer choices, "distraught” means very upset; “pessimistic” means despondent and thinking bad things will happen; “optimistic” means hopeful and thinking good things will happen; and “absolved” means forgiven and no longer blamed for something.
All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
