ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Suffixes

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters.

ANGLOPHONE

Possible Answers:

Ill-equipped

Fishing trip

Good-humored

Cell phone

English-speaking

Correct answer:

English-speaking

Explanation:

An "anglophone" is someone who speaks English. The prefix anglo- always suggets at a relationship between the word and England, and the suffix -phone relates to language or speaking. To provide further help, "ill-equipped" means not prepared.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Suffixes

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

XENOPHOBIA

Possible Answers:

Careful

Prejudice

Sway

Rescind

Correct answer:

Prejudice

Explanation:

"Xenophobia" is unreasonable hatred of strangers or foreigners. The best choice is "prejudice" because it means unreasonable feelings, typically negative, towards a particular thing, person, or group. Considering the other choices, "rescind" means take back, "sway" means move back and forth, and "careful" means cautious.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Suffixes

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

GRAPHOLOGY

Possible Answers:

Study of man

Study of language

Study of chemical reactions

Study of statistics

Study of writing

Correct answer:

Study of writing

Explanation:

The prefix "graph-" means writing and the suffix "-ology" means study of, so “graphology” is the study of writing.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Greek

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

ARACHNOPHOBIA

Possible Answers:

Fear of old age

Fear of babies

Fear of people

Fear of animals

Fear of spiders

Correct answer:

Fear of spiders

Explanation:

The suffix "-phobia" means fear of and the prefix "arachno-" means related to spiders, so “arachnophobia” is a fear of spiders.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Greek

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

ANTHROPOLOGY

Possible Answers:

The study of mankind

The study of rock formations

The study of mammals 

The study of ants

The study of art 

Correct answer:

The study of mankind

Explanation:

The root "anthro-" or "andro­-" means having to do with man. Also, the suffix "-ology" means the study of (something), so we can assume correctly that “anthropology” is the study of mankind.

Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

EGOMANIA

Possible Answers:

Self-interest

Self-obsession

Self-loathing

Self-serving

Self-sacrifice

Correct answer:

Self-obsession

Explanation:

The Latin root "ego" means self, and the suffix "-mania" means excessive or madness, so “egomania” is excessive love of oneself, or “self-obsession.” “Self-loathing” is hating oneself; “self-interest” is what one wants, without caring about how others feel; “self-serving” means having concern for one’s own prosperity and interests above others; and “self-sacrifice” is the opposite of “self-serving” and “self-interest"; it means placing other people's needs and desires above one's own.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Anglo Saxon

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

FORMLESS

Possible Answers:

Shapely

Amorphous

Opaque

Gaseous

Inconsistent

Correct answer:

Amorphous

Explanation:

Stay as close as possible to the original word, for there are many tempting wrong answers. When something is "formless," it has no definite shape. This certainly is the case for "gaseous" things (since they are "gas like"). Also, "inconsistent" speech is lacking the general form that speech should have. That is, it lacks proper consistency. The word "amorphous" literally means without form. The word "morph" means take on a new form or shape. The prefix "a-" means without, as in "atypical," meaning not typical or without features that are typical.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Anglo Saxon

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

LOATHSOME

Possible Answers:

Joyful

Sleazy

Senile

Brilliant

Hateful

Correct answer:

Hateful

Explanation:

"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 #3 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Anglo Saxon

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

CHURLISH

Possible Answers:

Childish

Pampered

Rude

Argumentative

Solid

Correct answer:

Rude

Explanation:

"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 #4 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Anglo Saxon

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

SELFLESS

Possible Answers:

Accredited

Frank

Considerate

Appalling

Dominating

Correct answer:

Considerate

Explanation:

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.

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