ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #138 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

INFLUENTIAL

Possible Answers:

Important

Miraculous

Cautious

Approving

Correct answer:

Important

Explanation:

"Influential" means having a powerful effect on people or events. "Important," which means significant or valuable, is closest in meaning to "influential," so it is the correct answer.

 

Incorrect answers:

"Miraculous" means inexplicable or occurring through or as if through divine intervention, as in the sentence, "The sick child made a miraculous recovery that the doctors did not think was possible."

"Approving" means thinking favorably of, as in the sentence, "The teacher had an approving look on her face as she told the students she was proud of their hard work."

"Cautious" means careful, as in the sentence, "You must be cautious when you cross the busy street."

Example Question #141 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

AUTHORITATIVE

Possible Answers:

Rule

Light

Power

Commanding

Correct answer:

Commanding

Explanation:

The word "authoritative" means trustworthy or self-assured and commandingSo, the best answer choice is "commanding."" "Power" is not the best choice because it is a noun that refers to the strength of something. Since "authoritative" is an adjective, the answer must also be an adjective.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Degree, Intensity, Power, And Importance

Select the synonym.

Severe

Possible Answers:

Kind

Harsh

Soft

Major

Distant

Correct answer:

Harsh

Explanation:

Severe is defined as something that is unnecessarily extreme, which can also define harsh. 

Example Question #142 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

FEEBLE

Possible Answers:

Saunter

Banquet

Revert

Weak

Avalanche

Correct answer:

Weak

Explanation:

"Feeble" means lacking strength because of age or sickness. Weak also means not strong, so "weak" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, to "saunter" means to walk slowly, at a relaxed pace, to "revert" means to return to a previous state, an "avalanche" is a dangerous event in which snow and rocks fall quickly down the side of a mountain, and a "banquet" is a large meal or a feast.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Degree, Intensity, Power, And Importance

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

FEEBLE

Possible Answers:

Weak 

Brawny 

Robust

Sturdy 

Strong 

Correct answer:

Weak 

Explanation:

"Feeble" means weak or ineffectual. To further help you, "robust," "sturdy," and "brawny" are synonyms and all mean strong.

Example Question #143 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

DOMINANT

Possible Answers:

Feeling sick 

Under pressure 

In charge

Lost at sea

Under control

Correct answer:

In charge

Explanation:

"Dominant" means in control, in charge, on top.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Degree, Intensity, Power, And Importance

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

INTENSE

Possible Answers:

Extreme

Hateful

Burning

Interior

Spectacular

Correct answer:

Extreme

Explanation:

When something is "intense," it is very strong. For instance, "intense emotions" are strong emotions, and "intense heat" is very hot. When we increase the "intensity" of something, we make it to be more extreme—stronger, louder, brighter, and so forth. The best option provided is "extreme," which means to a high degree. This is similar in meaning to "intense."

Example Question #481 : Synonyms

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

FEEBLE

Possible Answers:

Flexible

Frail

Anxious

Soft-spoken

Powerful

Correct answer:

Frail

Explanation:

The closest word in meaning to "feeble" is "frail." If someone or something is "feeble," it means that it is frail or weakened.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Degree, Intensity, Power, And Importance

A synonym of "drastic" is __________.

Possible Answers:

aggressive

extreme

particular

dangerous

mean

Correct answer:

extreme

Explanation:

Drastic means likely to have a strong or far-reaching effect, and can mean radical or "extreme."

Example Question #144 : Synonyms: Adjectives

A synonym of "futile" is __________.

Possible Answers:

useless

natural

successful

overwhelming

important

Correct answer:

useless

Explanation:

"Futile" is an adjective that means "incapable of producing any useful result; pointless." So, we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "pointless." "Successful," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "successful" is an adjective that can mean "accomplishing an aim or purpose," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "futile." "Useless," however, is an adjective that can mean "not fulfilling or not expected to achieve the intended purpose or desired outcome," and because "useless" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "futile," "useless" is the correct answer.

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