ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #456 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

MURKY

Possible Answers:

Sore

Mighty

Clear

Dark

Intentional

Correct answer:

Dark

Explanation:

Something that is “murky” is dismal and dark, so "dark" is the correct answer. So, water might be “murky” if it were very dirty. “Murky” is also the opposite of “clear,” which means transparent and unclouded. “Sore” means in pain due to overexertion of muscles; “intentional” means done on purpose; and “mighty” means strong.

Example Question #457 : Synonyms: Adjectives

A synonym of "hardy" is __________.

Possible Answers:

cheap

rugged

clear

expensive

firm

Correct answer:

rugged

Explanation:

"Hardy" is an adjective that means "robust; capable of enduring difficult conditions," or when used of a plant, "able to survive outside during winter." One might assume that "firm" is the best answer because "hardy" contains the word "hard," but "hardy" does not mean the same thing as "hard," so "firm" cannot be the correct answer. One meaning of "rugged," however, is " having or requiring toughness and determination." Because "rugged" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "hardy," "rugged" is the correct answer.

Example Question #28 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

Stout

Possible Answers:

Fat

Intelligent

Thin

Athletic

Sociable

Correct answer:

Fat

Explanation:

"Stout" means fat.

Example Question #28 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

BLUNT

Possible Answers:

Acute

Dull

Tepid

Significant

Correct answer:

Dull

Explanation:

The word "blunt" means not sharp. "Dull" is the best choice because it also means not sharp. Considering the other choices, "acute" means sharp, "tepid" means lukewarm, and "significant" means important.

Example Question #29 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

FRAGILE

Possible Answers:

Pure

Sturdy

Dangerous

Delicate

Correct answer:

Delicate

Explanation:

"Fragile" means easy to damage or break. "Delicate" is the word choice that most closely matches this definition. "Sturdy," which is a synonym of strong, is the opposite of "fragile," and "dangerous" and "pure" are both unrelated words.

Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

A synonym of "corrugated" is __________.

Possible Answers:

bloated

speckled

flat

fuzzy

grooved

Correct answer:

grooved

Explanation:

"Corrugated" is an adjective that refers to a material, surface, or structure and means "shaped into alternate ridges and grooves." So, "flat" cannot be the correct answer because it is an antonym, not a synonym, of "corrugated." "Grooved," however, is an adjective that means "provided with or having a groove or grooves," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "corrugated," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

A synonym of "durable" is __________.

Possible Answers:

meager

hardy

exact

ominous

fragile

Correct answer:

hardy

Explanation:

"Durable" is an adjective that means "able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage; hard-wearing," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "able to withstand wear." "Fragile" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "fragile" means the opposite of "durable," so it is an antonym, not a synonym, of "durable." "Hardy," however, is an adjective that means "robust; capable of enduring difficult conditions" and because "hardy" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "durable," "hardy" is the correct answer.

Example Question #33 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

Firm

Possible Answers:

Soft

Thin

Light

Hard

Colorful

Correct answer:

Hard

Explanation:

"Firm" means hard.

Example Question #33 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

VACANT

Possible Answers:

Lively

Absent

Evacuate

Empty

Correct answer:

Empty

Explanation:

"Vacant" means empty. "Empty" is the best choice because it is a part of the definiton for "vacant." Considering the other choices, "lively" means energetic, "absent" means away or missing, and "evacuate" means to leave an area because it is dangerous. "Evacuate" is not as good a choice because it is a verb, while "vacant" is an adjective.

Example Question #34 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

PERMEABLE

Possible Answers:

Permanent

Porous

Changing

Sponge

Correct answer:

Porous

Explanation:

The word "permeable" means full of small holes that let liquids and objects of a certain size pass through. The best answer choice is "porous," which means full of small holes that allow air or liquids to pass through. Considering the other choices, a "sponge" is something that is permeable, "permanent" means lasting forever and unchanging, and "changing" is an antonym of permanent. 

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