ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Complexity, Precision, And Luck

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

INTRICATE

Possible Answers:

Computerized

Complicated

Simple

Vibrant

Plain

Correct answer:

Complicated

Explanation:

When something is "intricate," it is complex. Thus, we can say, "He gave an intricate answer, taking a long time to describe all of the details of the new building." Also, you could say that a new invention is intricate if it is made up of many parts that fit together in complex ways. Therefore, the best option among those given is "complicated."

Example Question #421 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

ACCESSIBLE

Possible Answers:

Understandable

Short

Porous

Tiny

Simplistic

Correct answer:

Understandable

Explanation:

Whenever something is "accessible," we can get to it relatively easily. An "accessible building" is one that doesn't take a lot of complicated maneuvers to reach. An "accessible item" on a shelf can be grabbed without a lot of trouble. "Accessible" does not mean "short" or "tiny"—even if being short or tiny makes some things more accessible. Instead, this question uses a secondary meaning of "accessible." We can also say that ideas are accessible. Thus, if someone can explain things in an understandable manner, we say that he or she is very accessible in his or her talking.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Complexity, Precision, And Luck

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

CONVOLUTED

Possible Answers:

Playful

Descriptive

Interesting

Beautiful

Complicated

Correct answer:

Complicated

Explanation:

"Convoluted" means something is unclear or easy to understand, therefore, "complicated" would be the word most like convoluted.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

Gorgeous

Possible Answers:

Ill-mannered

Ugly

Gentle

Intelligent

Beautiful

Correct answer:

Beautiful

Explanation:

"Gorgeous" means beautiful.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

CONSPICUOUS

Possible Answers:

Noticeable

Ordinary

Invisible

Terrifying

Correct answer:

Noticeable

Explanation:

"Conspicuous" means standing out so as to be clearly visible. "Noticeable," which means able to be easily noticed, is the best synonym of "conspicuous," so "noticeable" is the correct answer.

 

Incorrect answers:

"Invisible" means not able to be seen. It is an antonym of "conspicuous," which means clearly visible, so it is incorrect.

"Ordinary" means having no special or unusual features or normal, as in the sentence, "My house looks ordinary and doesn't stand out among the other houses in my neighborhood."

"Terrifying" means causing a feeling of extreme fear, as in the sentence, "I have a fear of heights, so while I thought that the Grand Canyon was beautiful from a distance, I found it terrifying when I stood at the edge and looked down."

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

VISIBLE

Possible Answers:

Noticeable

Permeable

Cloudy

Vision

Correct answer:

Noticeable

Explanation:

"Visible" means able to be seen. The best choice is "noticeable," which means able to be noticed. Something that is "noticeable" can be seen. Considering the other choices, "permeable" means full of small holes so certain things may pass through"cloudy" means not clear, and "vision" is sight. Even though "vision" is related to "visible," it is a noun while "visible" is an adjective. Since "noticeable" is both close in definition to "visible" and an adjective, it is the best choice.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

EXQUISITE

Possible Answers:

Rough

Stunning

Grotesque

Crude

Correct answer:

Stunning

Explanation:

"Exquisite" and "stunning" mean beautiful, or beautifully made. "Crude" and "rough" can mean vulgar or badly made. "Grotesque" means ugly. If you can figure out that "crude" and "rough" are synonyms and "grotesque" means ugly, you should be able to deduce that "stunning" is a synonym of "exquisite," even if you don't know what "exquisite" means.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

RAVISHING

Possible Answers:

Stunning

Hideous

Homely

Bland

Correct answer:

Stunning

Explanation:

"Ravishing," an adjective that is usually used to describe a person, means gorgeous or enchantingly lovely in appearance. So, "stunning," which implies that something or someone is surprisingly beautiful, is the best choice here. "Homely" and "hideous" both refer to the opposite situation: something that is "homely" is plain in an unattractive way, and a "hideous" object is very ugly or gross-looking. "Bland," which means tasteless or boring, is also very different from "ravishing."

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

PRISTINE

Possible Answers:

Untouched

Princesslike

Gentlemanly

Comparable

Correct answer:

Untouched

Explanation:

The word "pristine" means untouched. The best choice is "untouched" because it is a part of the definition of "pristine." Considering the other choices, "princesslike" means having the characteristics of a princess, "gentlemanly" means having the characteristics of a gentleman or polite, and "comparable" means able to be compared.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

MURKY

Possible Answers:

Painted

Gloomy

Shiny

Cold

Clear

Correct answer:

Gloomy

Explanation:

"Murky" is an adjective that means very dark or foggy or not completely understood; so, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like foggy or not understood. "Gloomy" means dark and depressing, so "gloomy" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "murky" and the correct answer.

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