All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #201 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LOATHSOME
Sleazy
Brilliant
Hateful
Senile
Joyful
Hateful
"Loathsome" means deserving of hatred or repulsive, so "hateful" is the correct answer, as "hateful" can mean deserving hatred. To help you, "senile" means physically and/or mentally weakened with age, someone who is "sleazy" is gross and immoral, and "joyful" means very happy.
Example Question #202 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CHURLISH
Rude
Pampered
Solid
Argumentative
Childish
Rude
"Churlish" means rude. The best choice is "rude" since it is a part of the definition of "churlish." Considering the other choices, "childish" means immature, "congealed" means changed into a solid state, and "fusty" means old-fashioned.
Example Question #203 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SELFLESS
Frank
Accredited
Dominating
Appalling
Considerate
Considerate
The suffix "-less" means lacking, so "selfless" means concerned with the needs of others and not selfish, making “considerate" the correct answer. “Appalling” means disgusting, horrendous, or dreadful; “dominating” means in control; “accredited” means officially recognized or given credit for; and “frank” means candid and honest.
Example Question #251 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SPECIFY
Identify
Recognize
Generalize
Fake
Suggest
Identify
The word "specify" is related to the word "species." Although we use this in biology to discuss particular classes of animals, the word "species" has a broader definition that comes from its use in logic. When we talk about a general class of things, we call that its "genus." (We do this in biology as well.) The members of that general class are its "species." They are "specific" members—you can see how all of these words are related. When something is "specified," it is pointed out, or made specific and thus can be said to be "identified." This is the best option among those provided. Do not be tricked by "recognize," which is close in meaning to this but not exactly the same. Something can be recognized without being specifically identified.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Other Languages
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
NOTIFY
Rest
Provide
Bother
Instill
Inform
Inform
"Notify" is a verb meaning inform or bring to the attention of, so the answer choice closest in meaning is "inform" a verb that means notify. Considering the other choices, none are close in meaning to "notify": "bother," when used as a verb, means annoy; "rest," when used as a verb, means relax and take a break in order to regain energy; and "provide" means give.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Roots
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AQUEDUCT
Conduit
Solubility
Container
Transmission
Pool
Conduit
The root "aqua" refers to water, and the suffix "-duct" refers to something that carries something else, so an “aqueduct” is a pipe that carries drinking water from a source to a population center. Another word for something that carries things from one place to another is a “conduit.” To provide further help, "solubility" is how well a substance dissolves in water or another solute, a "transmission" is the transferral of something from one place to another; a "container" is something used to store or hold something else; and a "pool" is a small artificial body of water used for recreational swimming.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Roots
Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters.
MEMENTO
Catchphrase
Insistence
Heretical
Rancorous
Reminder
Reminder
A "memento" is a souvenir or a reminder of past events, so "reminder" is the correct answer. To help you, a "catchphrase" is a repeated saying associated with an individual or a character, "rancorous" means unforgiving or angry, and "heretical" means dissenting from the popular or traditional opinion, unorthodox, or going against established religious ideas.
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Roots
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
BENEDICTION
Dystopia
Utopia
Curse
Blessing
Euphemism
Blessing
A "benediction" is a blessing, so "blessing" is the correct answer. To provide further help, a "euphemism" is a word or phrase used in place of a rude or offensive term, a "utopia" is an ideal paradise, whereas a "dystopia" is a world in which everything has gone wrong and the opposite of a "utopia."
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Roots
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
SCRIPTURE
Mathematical equations
Scientific writings
Biblical writings
Victorian writings
Impossible equations
Biblical writings
The prefix "script-" refers to writing and is related to the suffix "scribe," such as in “inscribe” or “transcribe.” “Scripture” commonly refers to Biblical writings.
Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Roots
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
ANACHRONISM
Hypothesis
Monument
Relic
Testament
Diatribe
Relic
"Chron-" refers to time or the passage of time, so an “anachronism” is something from a previous period of history or something out of its time. Its former meaning is closest in definition to a “relic,” which is an object left over from the past. To provide further help, a “testament” is evidence; a “monument” is something built to remember a great person or event; a “hypothesis” is an idea or theory that requires investigation; a “diatribe” is an angry verbal attack.
All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
