All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #201 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ARCHAIC
Impressive
Domineering
Recessive
Confounding
Obsolete
Obsolete
The Greek prefix arch- can have two meanings. It either means chief as in "monarch" or ancient, old-fashioned as in "archaic." "Archaic" means old-fashioned and out of date, obsolete, no longer needed or used. To provide additional help, "impressive" means inspiring admiration, making people impressed; "domineering" means bossy, dominating, in-charge; "confounding" means confusing, bewildering; "recessive" means (of a gene) not dominant, hidden.
Example Question #202 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MISNOMER
Leader
Answer
Speaker
Error
Follower
Error
The Greek prefix mis- means wrong, bad, as in "mistake" which means error. A "misnomer" is an inaccurate name, an error in naming something. So, the best possible answer is "error." You might also notice the root word -nom- which often means name. So, simply a "misnomer" is a wrong name, an error in naming.
Example Question #203 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MELANCHOLY
Joy
Elation
Bliss
Ecstasy
Sadness
Sadness
The Greek prefix melan- means black, dark, so "melancholy" means a dark mood, sadness, depression, misery. Additionally, the other four answer choices all mean deep happiness.
Example Question #204 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OPTICAL
Sight
Smell
Taste
Touch
Hearing
Sight
The Greek prefix opt- means eyes, sight, or related to sight. So, "optical" means of or relating to sight. The synonym here is not perfect, but sometimes you have to find the answer that is "closest" to the word in question.
Example Question #205 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PATERNITY
Fatherhood
Maternity
Brotherhood
Motherhood
Sisterhood
Fatherhood
The Greek prefix pater- means father, so "paternity" means fatherhood. The Greek prefix mater- means mother, so "maternity" means motherhood. Another example of a pater- word is "patriarch" which refers to a man in charge of a group.
Example Question #206 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IDIOSYNCRASY
Compassion
Quirk
Patriotism
Xenophobia
Hint
Quirk
The Greek prefix idio- means unusual, weird, distinct, as in "idiot." So, an "idiosyncrasy" is an unusual personality trait, a quirk. Additionally, a "hint" is a clue; "patriotism" is love of one's country; "xenophobia" is fear of foreigners; "compassion" is warmth, generosity, and kindness.
Example Question #207 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ETHNICITY
Class
Gender
Race
Age
Belief
Race
The Greek prefix ethno- means race, so an "ethnicity" is a race of people. Other examples of ethno- words include "ethnic" which means racial and "ethnology" the study of different races. It is worth noting that the suffix -ology means study of.
Example Question #208 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ABYSS
Thankless
Bottomless
Helpless
Timeless
Hopeless
Bottomless
The Greek prefix a- means without, so "abyss" means without a bottom, bottomless, a void, a chasm. To provide further help, "timeless" means not fixed in any era, always fashionable and appropriate; "thankless" refers to a task that no-one wants to do because it is little appreciated.
Example Question #209 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DIALOGUE
Commiseration
Condescension
Conversation
Competition
Confrontation
Conversation
The Greek prefix dia- means through, between, across, so "dialogue" means a conversation between two people. Another example of a dia- word is "diameter" which refers to a line that goes from one side of a circle to another, the passes across and through the circle. To provide additional help, "commiseration" is showing sympathy for someone's sadness, joining someone in sadness; "condescension" is talking down to someone in an arrogant way; a "confrontation" is a fight.
Example Question #201 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PHYSICIAN
Teacher
Helper
Politician
Lawyer
Doctor
Doctor
The Greek prefix phys- means related to nature, the human body, and medicine. So a "physician" is a doctor. Another example of a phys- word is "physical," which means relating to the body or to movement.
All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
