ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Nouns

Select the synonym.

Heroine

Possible Answers:

Adventurer

Anthropologist

Hero

Adolescent

Female

Correct answer:

Hero

Explanation:

A heroine is a female hero, so hero is the best synonym here.  

None of the other answer choices work.  Not all females are heroines, so that answer choice does not work.  Similarly, heroines can be young or old, so adolescent is incorrect.  Someone can also be an adventurer without being a hero.  Lastly, anthropologists study humans, which has nothing to do with heroines.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

NEMESIS

Possible Answers:

Namesake

Relative

Acquaintance

Rival

Correct answer:

Rival

Explanation:

A "nemesis" is an opponent or rival, a person or group with which you are especially competitive. For example, pretend that your school football team often plays against another team. You and your friends get excited for those games, especially hate when your team loses, and might even talk about the opposing team members as enemies. The opposing team would be your nemesis. Of the other choices, an "acquaintance" is someone that you know, a "relative" is a family member or someone to whom you are related, and a "namesake" is a thing that shares its name with something else, or is directly named after it.

Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

JOURNALIST

Possible Answers:

Principal

Dentist

Professor

Accountant

Reporter

Correct answer:

Reporter

Explanation:

A "journalist" is a person who researches and writes news stories, or a "reporter." A "professor" is a person who teaches at a university or college. A "dentist" is a medical professional who cleans and operates on teeth. An "accountant" is a person who states and reviews the financial statements of a person or company. A "principal" is the person in charge at a school.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

ENTOURAGE

Possible Answers:

Building

Journey

Entrance

Attendants

Correct answer:

Attendants

Explanation:

An "entourage" is a group of attendants. The best choice is "attendants," because it is a part of the definition of "entourage."

Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

FELON

Possible Answers:

Teacher 

Partner

Politician 

Miser 

Criminal 

Correct answer:

Criminal 

Explanation:

A felon is someone who has committed a crime. To further help you, a politician is someone who is involved in government; a miser is someone who hates spending money and tries to save as much as possible.

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

NEMESIS

Possible Answers:

Sonnet

Enemy

Diagnosis

Feud

Correct answer:

Enemy

Explanation:

"Nemesis" is a noun that refers to a long-standing rival. Of the answer choices, the word with the closest meaning is "enemy," which means rival or nemesis.  "Feud" refers to a prolonged dispute; "diagnosis" means the act of classifying a problem or illness; and a "sonnet" is a poem made up of fourteen lines.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

RECLUSE

Possible Answers:

Return

Invite

Close

Hermit

Secret

Correct answer:

Hermit

Explanation:

A "recluse" is a person who lives apart from society. The best choice is "hermit" because it has the same definition as "recluse." 

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

NEMESIS

Possible Answers:

Enemy 

Ally

Protagonist 

Accomplice 

Antagonist 

Correct answer:

Enemy 

Explanation:

Your “nemesis” is your enemy, so "enemy" is the correct answer. To provide further help, an “ally” is someone who is on your side or a friend, an “accomplice” is someone who works with you, usually on a risky or nefarious mission, “protagonist” means heroand “antagonist” means villain. “Nemesis” is an antonym of “ally” and “accomplice.” Likewise, “protagonist” is an antonym of “antagonist.”

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

RASCAL

Possible Answers:

Scoundrel 

Politician 

Principle

Rakish 

Contributor 

Correct answer:

Scoundrel 

Explanation:

A “rascal” is someone prone to bad behavior, a scoundrel. To provide further help, a “contributor” is someone who helps something get done; a “politician” is someone tasked with making laws and governing; a “principle” is a guiding standard of belief or morals; “rakish” means charming and dashing

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

COLLEAGUE

Possible Answers:

Coworker

Autobiography

Task

Author

Assignment

Correct answer:

Coworker

Explanation:

A "colleague" is a coworker or someone a person works with, so "coworker" is the correct answer. An "autobiography" is a book written by someone about that person's own life. "Assignment" means task or work given to a specific person. An "author" is a person who writes a story, novel, or other book. "Task" means piece of work that needs to be completed.

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