ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Location, Context, Order, And Direction

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

BARREN

Possible Answers:

Fecund 

Abundant 

Empty 

Full 

Fertile

Correct answer:

Empty 

Explanation:

"Barren" means empty, devoid of life, or when referring to a woman, unable to have children. So, "empty" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "barren": "fecund," "fertile," and "abundant" are synonyms which all mean plentiful or producing a lot of life, so "barren" is an antonym of "fecund," "fertile," and "abundant."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Location, Context, Order, And Direction

Synonyms: Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

ISOLATED

Possible Answers:

Tepid

Lonely

Remote

Random

Correct answer:

Remote

Explanation:

Since "isolated" means far away from other places and people, "remote" is the best answer choice, since it means far away. "Lonely" is a tempting answer choice, but just because someone is "isolated" does not necessarily mean they are "lonely."

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Location, Context, Order, And Direction

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

SECLUDED

Possible Answers:

Amateur 

Enticing 

Polymorphous 

Private

Exquisite 

Correct answer:

Private

Explanation:

“Secluded” means private, hidden away, sheltered. To provide further help, an “amateur” is someone who does something for fun and not for work; “enticing” means tempting; “exquisite” means lovely, perfect; “polymorphous” means taking many forms.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Location, Context, Order, And Direction

A synonym of "civic" is __________.

Possible Answers:

abnormal

considerable

local

unprofessional

detailed

Correct answer:

local

Explanation:

"Civic" is an adjective that means "of or relating to a city or town, especially its administration; municipal," or "of or relating to the duties or activities of people in relation to their town, city, or local area." So, "local" is the correct answer because "local" means "belonging or relating to a particular area or neighborhood, typically exclusively so," and is the closest synonym to "civic" amongst the listed answer choices.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Location, Context, Order, And Direction

Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.

Apart

Possible Answers:

Distant

Happy

Angry

Near

Educated

Correct answer:

Distant

Explanation:

"Apart" means distant from each other.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Location, Context, Order, And Direction

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

URBAN

Possible Answers:

In the city

Crowded

In the country

Spacious

Correct answer:

In the city

Explanation:

Something that is "urban" is in the city or pertains to the city. "In the city" is the best choice because it is a part of the definition of "urban." Considering the other chocies, "crowded" means having little space, "spacious" means having a lot of space, and "in the country" is the definition of rural.

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Location, Context, Order, And Direction

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

URBAN

Possible Answers:

Bucolic

Simple

Verdant

Rural

Metropolitan

Correct answer:

Metropolitan

Explanation:

"Urban" means having to do with cities as opposed to the countryside. "Metropolitan" is the best match because it means relating to a large city.

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Location, Context, Order, And Direction

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

INTERNAL

Possible Answers:

Accessible

Exterior

Inside

Confident

Visible

Correct answer:

Inside

Explanation:

"Internal" means on the inside, so "inside" is the correct answer. "Exterior" means on the outside. "Accessible" means able to be reached. "Confident" means self-assured. "Visible" means not hidden and able to be seen clearly.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Location, Context, Order, And Direction

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

MISPLACED

Possible Answers:

Limpid

Searched 

Supreme

Lost 

Morose 

Correct answer:

Lost 

Explanation:

The prefix "mis-" means done wrong or badly, so something that has been “misplaced” has been placed incorrectly. This is closest in meaning to “lost.” To provide further help, “limpid” means clear; “morose” means very sad and serious; “supreme” means best or highest; “searched” means looked for

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Location, Context, Order, And Direction

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

APPROPRIATE

Possible Answers:

Entire

Fitting

Fumble

Queasy

Chamber

Correct answer:

Fitting

Explanation:

"Appropriate" means suitable or proper for what is going on. Fitting also means suitable or correct for a situation, so "fitting" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, to "fumble" something means to use one's hands in a clumsy manner while doing something, "queasy" means feeling sick or ill to one's stomach, "entire" means whole or with no parts missing, and a "chamber" is a large room.

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