ISEE Lower Level key terms

A word that means almost the same thing as another word. On synonym questions, pick the answer closest in meaning to the given word, even if it is not a perfect match.

A word that means the opposite of another word, such as hot and cold. Antonym questions ask you to choose the answer most nearly opposite the given word.

A hint inside a sentence that helps you figure out an unfamiliar word's meaning. Clues include definitions, examples, contrasts, and cause-and-effect relationships stated nearby.

A word part attached to the front of a root that changes its meaning, such as un- in unhappy or pre- in preview. Recognizing common prefixes helps you decode unknown words.

A word part attached to the end of a root that changes its meaning or part of speech, such as -less in hopeless or -tion in creation. Suffixes often signal whether a word is a noun, verb, or adjective.

The base part of a word that carries its core meaning and remains after prefixes and suffixes are removed, such as act in reaction. Knowing common roots helps you guess unfamiliar words.

A comparison showing how two pairs of words relate in the same way, often written with colons as A : B :: C : D. The relationship might be part-to-whole, cause-effect, or degree.

One of two or more words that sound alike but are spelled differently and have different meanings, such as their and there. Homophones are common traps in sentence-completion questions.

The feeling or attitude a word suggests beyond its literal meaning. For example, cheap and inexpensive mean about the same thing, but cheap sounds negative while inexpensive sounds neutral.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, without any emotional shading. A word's denotation stays the same across contexts, while its connotation can shift.

The central point a passage is built to communicate, often stated in a topic sentence. Supporting details explain, prove, or illustrate the main idea rather than replace it.

A fact, example, or reason that backs up a passage's main idea. Details answer questions like who, what, when, where, and why, and they can usually be found directly in the text.

A conclusion you draw by combining information in a passage with what you already know. An inference is not stated directly; it is strongly suggested by the text.

The sentence, usually near the start of a paragraph, that states what the paragraph is mostly about. The remaining sentences develop or support that statement.

The reason a writer created a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain. Identifying the purpose helps you judge which details matter and how to read the tone.

The writer's attitude toward the subject, revealed through word choice and details. Tone might be humorous, serious, critical, or admiring, and it differs from the reader's own mood.

A statement that can be proven true or false with evidence. Facts differ from opinions, which express personal beliefs, feelings, or judgments that cannot be verified.

A statement of personal belief, feeling, or judgment that cannot be proven true or false. Signal words like should, best, and beautiful often point to an opinion.

The order in which events or steps happen in a text. Words like first, next, then, and finally signal sequence, which matters for narrative and how-to passages.

A text structure that explains why something happened and what resulted. Signal words include because, since, therefore, as a result, and consequently.

A text structure that shows how two or more things are alike and different. Signal words include similarly, both, unlike, however, and on the other hand.

Pointing out differences between two things. In reading, contrast clues often follow words like but, however, and unlike, and they can reveal a word's opposite meaning.

Any whole number, including positive numbers, negative numbers, and zero, but not fractions or decimals. Examples include -7, 0, 4, and 250.

The distance of a number from zero on the number line, always zero or positive. The absolute value of both 6 and -6 is 6, written |6| = 6 and |-6| = 6.

A straight line with points marked for numbers in order, with zero in the middle, positives to the right, and negatives to the left. It helps compare values and picture addition and subtraction.

A number that divides another number evenly with no remainder. For example, the factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12.

The result of multiplying a number by a whole number. Multiples of 4 include 4, 8, 12, 16, and so on, continuing without end.

A whole number greater than 1 whose only factors are 1 and itself, such as 2, 3, 5, 7, and 11. The number 1 is not prime, and 2 is the only even prime.

A whole number greater than 1 that has at least one factor besides 1 and itself, such as 4, 9, or 15. Composite numbers can be broken into smaller whole-number factors.

The smallest number that is a multiple of two or more given numbers. The least common multiple of 6 and 8 is 24, because 24 is the first number both divide evenly.

The largest number that divides evenly into two or more given numbers. The greatest common factor of 18 and 24 is 6, since 6 is the biggest number dividing both.

The top number of a fraction, showing how many equal parts are being counted. In 3/5, the numerator is 3, meaning three of the five parts.

The bottom number of a fraction, showing how many equal parts make up one whole. In 3/5, the denominator is 5, so the whole is split into five equal parts.

Fractions that name the same amount even though their numbers differ, such as 1/2 and 4/8. Multiplying or dividing the numerator and denominator by the same number creates an equivalent fraction.

A comparison of two quantities by division, often written as 3 to 4, 3:4, or 3/4. Ratios describe relative size, not necessarily actual counts.

An equation stating that two ratios are equal, such as 2/3 = 8/12. In a proportion, the cross products are equal, which lets you solve for a missing value.

A ratio that compares a number to 100, written with the percent sign. For example, 45% means 45 out of every 100, or 45/100, which simplifies to 9/20.

The total distance around the outside edge of a closed figure. For a rectangle, add twice the length to twice the width; for a triangle, add all three side lengths.

The number of square units needed to cover a flat surface. A rectangle's area equals length times width, and a triangle's area is half of base times height.

The amount of space a three-dimensional solid occupies, measured in cubic units. For a rectangular prism, multiply length by width by height.