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

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #2232 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

NONSENSE

Possible Answers:

Eccentricity

Happiness

Disbelief

Foolishness

Justice

Correct answer:

Foolishness

Explanation:

The prefix non- means not. So, "nonsense" means something that does not make sense, silliness, foolishness, absurdity. Additionally, "justice" is fair treatment, particularly the fair and equal treatment and punishment under the law; "disbelief" is the lack of belief; "eccentricity" means the quality of being unusual and weird.

Example Question #1149 : Synonyms

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

ALTITUDE

Possible Answers:

Height

Depth

Length

Breadth

Width

Correct answer:

Height

Explanation:

The prefix alt- means high, height. As in, "exalt" which means praise highly. So, "altitude" means height. Additionally, "breadth" is another word for "width" (how wide something is).

Example Question #1151 : Synonyms

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

UNREMARKABLE

Possible Answers:

Petite

Heavy

Shy

Hilarious

Boring

Correct answer:

Boring

Explanation:

The prefix un- means not. As in, "unlikely" which means not likely. So, "unremarkable" means not remarkable, not interesting. This is closest in meaning to "boring." If it is helpful, "remarkable" means interesting, amazing, worthy of being remarked about. Additionally, "hilarious" means very funny; "petite" means little, small; "shy" means not wanting to talk to others.

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.

AMBIGUOUS

Possible Answers:

Enormous

Uncertain

Outlawed

Lame

Sincere

Correct answer:

Uncertain

Explanation:

The prefix ambi- means both. As in, "ambidextrous" which means equally capable of using both one's left and right hands. "Ambiguous" means uncertain, vague, not clear. It helps to think of it like this - "ambiguous" = believing both arguments or conclusions could be true. Additionally, "outlawed" means banned, made illegal; "lame" means boring, uncool; "sincere" means truthful, honest; "enormous" means very large.

Example Question #2241 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

DIVINE

Possible Answers:

Heavenly

Goofy

Permissible

Massive

Poised

Correct answer:

Heavenly

Explanation:

The prefixes dei- and div- mean God. As in, a "deity" which means a God. So, "divine" means possessing qualities attributed to God, heavenly. Additionally, "poised" means calm and under control, particularly when faced with stress or pressure; "massive" means very large; "goofy" means silly, quirky, weird; "permissible" means able to be permitted, allowed.

Example Question #2242 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

DYNASTY

Possible Answers:

Glee

Heroism

Ancestor

Lineage

Keepsake

Correct answer:

Lineage

Explanation:

The prefix dyna- means power, force, energy. As in "dynamic" which means forceful, energetic, full of power. So, a "dynasty" is a line of rulers who inherit their position of power. This is closest in meaning to a "lineage" which means a line of succession. The British royal family is a "dynasty." Additionally, your "ancestors" are people who came before you in your family line; "glee" is delight, great joy; "heroism" is courage, bravery, the act of being a hero; a "keepsake" is a small item kept to remember someone else.

Example Question #2243 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ALTERNATE

Possible Answers:

Attend

Vanish

Precede

Rotate

Contain

Correct answer:

Rotate

Explanation:

The prefix alter- means other, change. So, to "alternate" is to change from one thing to another. This is closest in meaning to "rotate." Additionally, "contain" means hold inside; "attend" means go to, appear at; "vanish" means disappear, to become no longer visible; "precede" means coming before.

Example Question #2244 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

INCAPABLE

Possible Answers:

Unable

Incoherent

Unfortunate

Impossible

Innocent

Correct answer:

Unable

Explanation:

The prefixes in-, im-, and un- all mean not. So, "incapable" means not capable, not able, unable to do something. Additionally, "unfortunate" means not fortunate, not lucky; "impossible" means not possible; "incoherent" means not coherent, not able to be easily understood; "innocent" means not guilty.

Example Question #2245 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

DISPERSE

Possible Answers:

Discover

Tumble

Spread

Instruct

Undress

Correct answer:

Spread

Explanation:

The prefix dis- can mean away or not. So, to "disperse" means to spread out, to move away from the starting point in many directions. Additionally, "undress" means take off clothes; "discover" means find; "instruct" means teach or tell what to do; "tumble" means fall over.

Example Question #2246 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

DIALOGUE

Possible Answers:

Ideology

Peril

Conversation

Ambition

Convention

Correct answer:

Conversation

Explanation:

The prefix dia- means through, across, between. As in, "diameter" which is a straight line that passes through a circle. So, a "dialogue" is a conversation between two or more people. Additionally, "peril" is danger; "ambition" is a strong desire to achieve something; an "ideology" is a belief system, a system of ideas and ideals; "convention" is the way things are usually done or an agreement

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors