- A robot in the lab is autonomous and moves without help. What does the prefix auto- in autonomous suggest about its meaning?
Answer: By itself
This question tests ISEE Lower Level verbal reasoning skills, specifically using roots, prefixes, and suffixes to infer word meanings. Understanding word parts helps infer meanings by breaking down terms into roots, prefixes, and suffixes that provide clues. For example, 'auto-' suggests self or by itself, as seen in automatic (self-operating) or automobile (self-moving vehicle). In this passage, the robot is 'autonomous' and moves without help, clearly indicating independence. Choice B is correct because 'auto-' means 'by itself,' which matches the robot's ability to move without assistance. Choice A is incorrect because underwater would use the prefix 'sub-' or 'aqua-'. To help students: Connect prefixes to familiar words like automobile. Create sentences showing how 'auto-' indicates self-action. Use movement and independence context clues to reinforce meaning.
- She was so interested in the lives of famous people that she read every ------- she could find.
Answer: biography
The sentence is about reading of the 'lives of famous people.' The root 'bio-' means 'life,' and '-graphy' means 'writing.' A 'biography' is a written account of someone's life. (B) An 'autobiography' is an account of a person's life written by that person ('auto-' means self). (C) 'Geography' is the study of the Earth ('geo-'). (D) A 'photograph' is an image made using light ('photo-').
- CONTRADICT
Answer: oppose
The word 'contradict' combines the prefix 'contra-', meaning 'against,' and the root 'dict,' meaning 'to speak.' So, to contradict is to 'speak against' something. 'Oppose' is the closest in meaning. (A) 'agree' is an antonym. (C) 'predict' means to 'speak before' ('pre-' means before). (D) 'repeat' means to say something again.
- CHRONICLE
Answer: record
The root 'chron' means 'time.' A 'chronicle' is a factual written account of important or historical events in the order of their occurrence over time. 'Record' is the best synonym. (A) A 'clock' is a device for measuring time. (B) 'fiction' is an invented story. (C) A 'mystery' is something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain.
- A scientist who studies rocks and the history of the Earth is skilled in -------.
Answer: geology
The sentence describes the study of 'rocks and the history of the Earth.' The root 'geo-' means 'Earth,' and the suffix '-logy' means 'the study of.' Therefore, 'geology' is the study of the Earth. (A) 'biology' is the study of life ('bio-'). (C) 'mythology' is the study of myths. (D) 'technology' relates to machines and techniques.
- BENEVOLENT
Answer: kind
The word 'benevolent' is formed from the prefix 'bene-', meaning 'good,' and the root 'vol', meaning 'to wish.' A benevolent person is one who wishes good for others. 'Kind' is the best synonym. (A) 'angry' is an antonym. (B) 'cautious' means careful. (D) 'powerful' means having great strength.
- MANUSCRIPT
Answer: text
The word 'manuscript' comes from the roots 'manu' (hand) and 'script' (to write). It originally meant a book or document written by hand. Today, it refers to an author's text that has not yet been published. 'Text' is the best general synonym. (A) A 'factory' is a place for making things. (B) A 'machine' is the opposite of something done by hand. (D) A 'sculpture' is a work of art, but not a written one.
- AQUATIC
Answer: marine
The root 'aqua' means 'water.' 'Aquatic' means growing, living, or found in water. 'Marine,' which relates to the sea, is the closest synonym. (A) 'airy' relates to the air. (C) 'solid' is a state of matter. (D) 'terrestrial' means living on land and is an antonym.
- In the legend, a wizard uses teleportation to appear across the city instantly. What does the prefix tele- in teleportation suggest?
Answer: Far away
This question tests ISEE Lower Level verbal reasoning skills, specifically using roots, prefixes, and suffixes to infer word meanings. Understanding word parts helps infer meanings by breaking down terms into roots, prefixes, and suffixes that provide clues. For example, 'tele-' suggests distance or far away, as seen in telephone (sound from far) or television (vision from far). In this passage, the wizard uses 'teleportation' to appear across the city instantly, indicating movement over distance. Choice A is correct because 'tele-' means 'far away,' which aligns with transporting across the city. Choice B is incorrect because underground would use the prefix 'sub-' or 'under-'. To help students: Create a list of 'tele-' words showing distance connections. Use visual diagrams showing movement across space. Practice with technology words that often use 'tele-' prefix.
- Because the old map was torn and faded, its markings were almost -------.
Answer: illegible
The sentence describes a map that is 'torn and faded,' suggesting its markings would be hard to read. The word 'illegible' comes from the prefix 'il-' (not), the root 'leg' (to read), and the suffix '-ible' (able to be). Thus, 'illegible' means 'not able to be read.' (A) 'illogical' means not logical. (B) 'illuminated' means lit up. (D) 'impressive' means admirable.
- INTERRUPT
Answer: disturb
The word 'interrupt' is made from 'inter-' (between) and 'rupt' (to break). To interrupt is to 'break between' an activity or conversation. 'Disturb' is the best synonym. (A) 'continue' is an antonym. (B) 'erupt' means to break out ('e-' means out). (D) 'listen' is an opposite action to interrupting someone who is speaking.
- TRANSPORT
Answer: carry
The word 'transport' is made of two parts: the prefix 'trans-', meaning 'across,' and the root 'port,' meaning 'to carry.' Therefore, 'transport' means to carry something across from one place to another. 'Carry' is the best synonym. (A) 'build' means to construct. (C) 'report' and (D) 'support' use the same root, but 're-' means 'back' and 'sup-' means 'under,' giving them different meanings.
- The architect designed a ------- building that could be moved from one place to another.
Answer: portable
The clue is that the building 'could be moved.' The root 'port' means 'to carry,' and the suffix '-able' means 'able to be.' A 'portable' object is one that is able to be carried or moved. (A) 'comfortable' means providing physical ease. (B) 'important' and (D) 'supportive' both contain the root 'port' but have different prefixes and meanings that do not fit the sentence.
- During biology class, Luis studies biology and learns about living things. Based on the passage, what does the root bio mean?
Answer: Life
This question tests ISEE Lower Level verbal reasoning skills, specifically using roots, prefixes, and suffixes to infer word meanings. Understanding word parts helps infer meanings by breaking down terms into roots, prefixes, and suffixes that provide clues. For example, 'bio-' appears in many life-related words like biography (life story) and biosphere (living world). In this passage, Luis studies 'biology' and learns about living things, directly connecting the root to life. Choice A is correct because 'bio' means 'life,' as evidenced by the context of studying living things. Choice B is incorrect because rock-related words use the root 'geo-' or 'petro-'. To help students: Make word families showing how the same root appears in different words. Use context clues alongside word parts for confirmation. Practice with biology-related vocabulary to reinforce the 'bio-' root.
- The story says an immortal phoenix never dies and lives forever. Based on the passage, what does the root mort in immortal mean?
Answer: Death
This question tests ISEE Lower Level verbal reasoning skills, specifically using roots, prefixes, and suffixes to infer word meanings. Understanding word parts helps infer meanings by breaking down terms into roots, prefixes, and suffixes that provide clues. For example, 'mort-' relates to death, as seen in mortal (subject to death) or mortuary (place for the dead). In this passage, an 'immortal' phoenix never dies and lives forever, with 'im-' negating the death meaning. Choice A is correct because 'mort' means 'death,' and with the prefix 'im-' meaning not, immortal means not subject to death. Choice B is incorrect because flight-related words use roots like 'aero-' or 'vol-'. To help students: Teach that 'im-' negates the root meaning. Connect 'mort' to mortality and death concepts. Use mythology examples to make immortality memorable.
- A kind demigod helps villagers, though he is only half divine. What does the prefix demi- in demigod suggest about its meaning?
Answer: Half
This question tests ISEE Lower Level verbal reasoning skills, specifically using roots, prefixes, and suffixes to infer word meanings. Understanding word parts helps infer meanings by breaking down terms into roots, prefixes, and suffixes that provide clues. For example, 'demi-' suggests half or partial, as seen in demitasse (half cup) or hemisphere (half sphere). In this passage, the 'demigod' is described as only half divine, directly stating the partial nature. Choice B is correct because 'demi-' means 'half,' which matches the character being half divine and half mortal. Choice A is incorrect because 'all' would use prefixes like 'omni-' or 'pan-'. To help students: Use fractions to visualize 'demi-' as half. Compare demigod to other 'half' words like semicircle. Create word pairs showing full versus half concepts.
- A centipede is so named because it looks like it has a hundred feet, while a ------- only has two.
Answer: biped
The context requires a word for something with two feet. The root '-ped' means 'foot,' and the prefix 'bi-' means 'two.' A 'biped' is a creature with two feet. (B) A 'bicycle' has two wheels ('cycle'). (C) A 'pedestrian' is a person walking on foot. (D) A 'quadruped' has four ('quad-') feet.
- The artist used a special tool to ------- her name onto the bottom of the heavy bronze statue.
Answer: inscribe
The sentence says the artist put her name 'onto' the statue. The root 'scribe' means 'to write.' The prefix 'in-' means 'in' or 'on.' So, 'inscribe' means to write or carve on a surface. (A) 'describe' means to write about. (C) 'prescribe' means to write before, as a rule. (D) 'subscribe' means to write one's name under, to sign up.
- To make sure the experiment was fair, the scientist had to ------- the exact same steps three different times.
Answer: reproduce
The sentence states that the scientist performed 'the exact same steps' multiple times. The prefix 're-' means 'again,' and 'produce' means to make or create. To 'reproduce' something means to make it again, which fits the context of repeating steps. (A) 'conclude' means to end. (B) 'introduce' means to bring in for the first time. (C) 'reduce' means to make less.
- Before the trip, the captain makes a preliminary plan, not the final one. What does the prefix pre- in preliminary suggest?
Answer: Before
This question tests ISEE Lower Level verbal reasoning skills, specifically using roots, prefixes, and suffixes to infer word meanings. Understanding word parts helps infer meanings by breaking down terms into roots, prefixes, and suffixes that provide clues. For example, 'pre-' suggests before or in advance, as seen in preview (see before) or prepare (get ready before). In this passage, the captain makes a 'preliminary' plan before the trip, not the final one, clearly indicating timing. Choice B is correct because 'pre-' means 'before,' which matches making a plan in advance of the trip. Choice A is incorrect because 'after' would use the prefix 'post-' as in postpone. To help students: Create timelines showing 'pre-' events before main events. Use familiar words like preschool to reinforce 'before' meaning. Practice sequencing activities with preliminary steps.
