All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SUPERIOR
Worst
Better
Found
Worse
Lost
Better
The prefix "super-" means better or best, so it makes sense that “superior” means better than something else. If you really like chocolate chip cookies, you might claim that they are "superior to" all other kinds of cookies.
Example Question #2 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
NONFICTIONAL
False
Fraudulent
True
Adapted
Mocking
True
The prefix "non-" means not, so “nonfictional” describes a story that is not fictional, or in other words, true and based on things that really existed or happened. Something that is “false” is not true; an “adapted” means transferred from one medium to another, e.g. a movie adaptation of a book; “mocking” means ridiculing and taunting; and “fraudulent” means pretending to be authentic while actually being inauthentic.
Example Question #3 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PREPARED
Fortunate
Emergency
Ready
Desolate
Unintentional
Ready
The prefix "pre-" means before, so it makes sense that "prepared" means ready for something before it happens or having been made before needed. "Ready" is thus the best answer choice. As for the other answer choices, "desolate" means uninhabited and stark; "fortunate" means lucky; "unintentional" means not done on purpose or unwitting; and "emergency," when used as an adjective, means reserved for use during emergencies.
Example Question #4 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
POSTPONE
Desire
Commence
Delay
Dispel
Intend
Delay
The prefix "post-" means after or behind, so it makes sense that "postpone" means delay, especially until a defined time after something occurs. As for the other answer choices, “commence” means begin or start up; “intend” means purposely mean to do something; “desire” means want; and “dispel” means get rid of some type of bad feeling.
Example Question #5 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MISBEHAVE
Disobey
Declare
Adhere
Discover
Uncover
Disobey
The prefix "mis-" can mean not or wrong, so it makes sense that to "misbehave" means to behave badly or to do the wrong thing, or “disobey.” As for the other answer choices, "adhere" means listen to or obey when used in the context of rules, and stick to when used in the context of physical materials; “discover” means find or find out; “uncover” means show, reveal, or bring out from hiding; and "declare" means state or make known.
Example Question #6 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OPTIMUM
Least
Secondary
Primary
Best
Worst
Best
The “optimum” thing in a group of things or set of choices is is the best one. “Primary” means coming first in a sequence or most important and “secondary” means coming second in a sequence or of lesser importance than other things.
Example Question #7 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EXTRAORDINARY
Persistent
Despicable
Unique
Incredible
Pitiable
Incredible
The prefix "extra-" means beyond, so it makes sense that “extraordinary” means beyond ordinary, or "incredible." As for the other answer choices, “unique” means one-of-a-kind or different; “despicable” means evil or terrible and thus deserving to be hated; "persistent" means stubborn or continuing; and "pitiable" means evoking emotions of feeling sorry for something or someone.
Example Question #21 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FORECAST
Route
Illuminate
Create
Laugh
Predict
Predict
The prefix "fore-" means in front of or coming before, so it makes sense that to “forecast” means to predict what is coming in the future. A “route” is a way to get from one place to another; “illuminate” means shine light on; “create” means make.
Example Question #22 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MAXIMUM
Least
Worst
Best
Most
Mediocre
Most
The "maximum" can be used as an adjective or a noun and means greatest or most as an adjective and the greatest amount of a particular thing one can have or achieve as a noun; so, "most" is the correct answer. “Mediocre” means average when greater quality or quantity was expected.
Example Question #23 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MISPRINT
Publication
Smudge
Respect
Error
Value
Error
The prefix "mis-" means not or incorrect, so it makes sense that "misprint" means an instance in which a newspaper or other publication published incorrect information. The answer choice closest in meaning to "misprint" is thus "error." “Value” is how much something is worth, often in terms of money; “respect” means admiration and reverence; a "smudge" is a blurred spot of dirt or other substance on something that typically mars its appearance; and a "publication" is something that is published regularly, like a newspaper or a journal.
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All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
