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 #7 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

PORTABLE

Possible Answers:

Laden

Important

Immense

Portentous

Mobile

Correct answer:

Mobile

Explanation:

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 #8 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

MAXIMIZE

Possible Answers:

Enliven

Expand

Undergo

Challenge

Perceive

Correct answer:

Expand

Explanation:

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.

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

DEFLECT

Possible Answers:

Sidetrack

Listen

Shatter

Speak

Throw

Correct answer:

Sidetrack

Explanation:

The prefix "de-" in "deflect" means away from, and the "-flect" portion of the word means to bend, as it comes from the same roots as the word "flexible" (bendable). So, it makes sense that "deflect" can mean bend away from moving in a straight line, often because of having hit something. To “deflect” can also mean cause something to change direction, or tosidetrack.” 

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

SATISFY

Possible Answers:

Indicate

Fulfill

Account

Renounce

Explain

Correct answer:

Fulfill

Explanation:

The word "satisfy" comes from Latin roots that mean to make to be enough. The word "satis" in Latin means enough. The suffix "-fy" indicates to do or to make. (This too is from Latin roots, though they are more complex.) Thus, something is satisfying when it is fulfilling. We can sometimes say that food is "satisfying" or "satisfactory," but we might also say that an answer is satisfying or a concert performance is satisfactory. Thus, the correct answer is "fulfill." Something that satisfies fulfills the requirements for that things.

Example Question #231 : Synonyms

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

COMPEL

Possible Answers:

Proceed

Escape

Pressure

Judge

Fret

Correct answer:

Pressure

Explanation:

The Latin suffix -pel means force, as in "repel" which means to force backwards. So, "compel" means force someone to do something, pressure someone. Additionally, "fret" means worry; "proceed" means continue; to "judge" means to make a decision on something based on evidence.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

ASCEND

Possible Answers:

Punish

Climb

Fall

Reward

Leap

Correct answer:

Climb

Explanation:

The Latin suffix -scend means climb, up, go. So, to "ascend" means to climb upwards. Another example of a -scend word is "descend" which means to go down. Additionally, "leap" means to jump high or far

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

DISPUTE

Possible Answers:

Displace

Disagree

Dismember

Disavow

Disappoint

Correct answer:

Disagree

Explanation:

The Latin suffix -put means think, as in "compute," which means calculate, think about and figure out. So, "dispute" means to disagree, to not agree with what someone thinks. Additionally, "disavow" means renounce, deny; "displace" means either to cause to be moved from it's original position or to replace; "dismember" means take apart, particularly with regard to taking apart a living being. The prefix dis- has many different meanings, but it is generally a "negating" prefix. "Negating" means causing something to mean the opposite.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

DISTORT

Possible Answers:

Alter

Abandon

Decrease

Confess

Increase

Correct answer:

Alter

Explanation:

The Latin suffix -tort means twist, bend, as in "contort," which means to twist one's body. So, "distort" means to twist out of shape, to change something so that it looks unnatural. The closest answer to this is "alter," which means change. Additionally, "confess" means admit to having done something wrong; "increase" means make larger and "decrease" means make smaller; "abandon" means leave behind

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

PRESERVE

Possible Answers:

Demand

Maintain

Supplant

Lend

Donate

Correct answer:

Maintain

Explanation:

The Latin suffix -serv means to keep, to save. So, "preserve" means to save something for the future, to maintain something. To provide additional help, "donate" means give to, usually give to charity; "lend" means allow to borrow; "supplant" means replace.

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Latin

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

CONSTRUCT

Possible Answers:

Build

Destroy

Plead

Drive

Lift

Correct answer:

Build

Explanation:

The Latin root -struct- means build. So, to "construct" means to build. Another example of a -struct- word is "destruct," which means to destroy something that has been built. Additionally, "plead" means beg, urge

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