ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #491 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DETRIMENTAL

Possible Answers:

Seldom

Liberating

Possessively

Damaging

Correct answer:

Damaging

Explanation:

"Detrimental" means likely to cause injury or damage; therefore, "damaging" is the word that most closely matches the definition of "detrimental." "Liberating," which means freeing, and "seldom," which means rarely, are unrelated to the definition, as is "possessively."

Example Question #492 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DESPICABLE

Possible Answers:

Dark

Serious

Terrible

Bubbly

Ugly

Correct answer:

Terrible

Explanation:

"Despicable" means to be loathsome, or deserving of hate. The word that most closely takes on this meaning is "terrible," which is something that is very bad. While both "ugly" (repulsive-looking) and "terrible" are negative terms, something that is "ugly" is not necessarily "despicable." Similarly, something that is "dark" or "serious" would also not be "despicable."

Example Question #493 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DEROGATORY

Possible Answers:

Decisive

Terrifying

Illegal

Insulting

Overstated

Correct answer:

Insulting

Explanation:

Something that is "derogatory" is disrespectful and offensive to another person. Something that is "insulting" puts down another person. Given how similar these meanings are, these words are synonyms.

Example Question #494 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FRIGID

Possible Answers:

Freezing

Moist

Cool

Cold

Crisp

Correct answer:

Freezing

Explanation:

For this question, you just need to be careful about the intensity of the word. Something that is "frigid" is very cold. Therefore, the best option is "freezing", for this word describes the coldest condition among the options given to you. Always find the word that is closest to the intensity indicated by your word.

Example Question #495 : Identifying Synonyms

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

METROPOLITAN

Possible Answers:

City

Cancer

Rural

Creation

Beach

Correct answer:

City

Explanation:

The word "metropolitan" means related to a city, of the city. To provide further help, "rural" means away from the city, farmland. "Beach" is an area of land overlooking an ocean. "Cancer" and "creation" are both unrelated.

Example Question #496 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SUMMIT

Possible Answers:

Clouds

Question

Collection

Difference

Peak

Correct answer:

Peak

Explanation:

The word "summit" does not have to do with mathematical "sums"—as in addition! Instead, the word means the highest point. Therefore, we talk about the "summit of the mountain", meaning by this the highest point on the mountain.  This is the same as the "peak" of the mountain.

Example Question #497 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MINOR

Possible Answers:

Surprising

Unimportant

Unintelligent

Regular

Lazy

Correct answer:

Unimportant

Explanation:

The word "minor" comes from the Latin for less. It is the opposite of "major," which comes from the Latin meaning more. A "minor" concern is a concern that is not very important. Among the options provided, the only one that expresses this sort of lack of importance is "unimportant." You could use this word in a sentence like, "That was a minor insult, so I am not too sad." This means that it was a small insult; hence, it was not very hurtful.

Example Question #498 : Identifying Synonyms

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

OBLIVIOUS

Possible Answers:

Failing

Unaware

Immature

Foolish

Reduced

Correct answer:

Unaware

Explanation:

The word "oblivious" is used to describe someone who is totally unaware of some set of facts. For example, we could say, "Steven was working so diligently on his homework that he was utterly oblivious to the loud sounds outside of his bedroom." This means that he was totally unaware of them, not even hearing them!

Example Question #499 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TEDIOUS

Possible Answers:

Frequent

Failing

Boring

Hateful

Standard

Correct answer:

Boring

Explanation:

The word "tedious" is used to describe someone or something that is relatively boring. Often, this is because the thing or person in question is very repetitive or, at least, does not make much progress. For example, "a tedious lecture" is one that likely keeps making the same point over and over again. Tedious things tend to be boring, so this is a good option for this question.

Example Question #500 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WEALTHY

Possible Answers:

Affluent

Greedy

Lucky

Generous

Friendly

Correct answer:

Affluent

Explanation:

You almost certainly know the meaning of the word "wealthy." That said the correct answer, "affluent," may be a bit difficult. This word is indeed a synonym. It comes from roots that mean to flow. Think of "fluid" or even "fluent." (Someone who can speak a language "fluently" can do so in a flowing manner, without hesitations.) Although a number of the incorrect answers may be tempting, this is the only correct synonym!

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