ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #122 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

SHAME

Possible Answers:

Humiliate

Encounter

Recognize

Annoy

Question

Correct answer:

Humiliate

Explanation:

When we feel "shame," we feel embarrassed. The word "shame" can be used as a verb as well. We can say, "He shamed her for her actions." This means that he made her feel embarrassed. In other words, he "humiliated" her for her actions.

Example Question #123 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

DISPUTE

Possible Answers:

Argument

Detest

Hate

Shouting

Surprise

Correct answer:

Argument

Explanation:

Note that the word "dispute" can be used either as a noun or as a verb. As a verb, it means to argue or to disagree about something. The noun version basically means the actual argument or disagreement. Thus, for this question, the only option that works is "argument." Although disputes can involve anger and shouting, none of these options are directly about disputes as such. Thus, the simple noun "argument" is the best option!

Example Question #171 : Synonyms

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

HOMICIDE

Possible Answers:

Health

Protection

Murder

Robbery

Wound

Correct answer:

Murder

Explanation:

The suffix "-cide" comes from Latin and means kill; it is found in English words like "patricide" (the killing of a father), "regicide," (the killing of a king), and "fratricide" (the killing of a brother). So, it makes sense that “homicide,” a combination of roots meaning man ("homo") and kill ("-cide") means the killing of a person, or "murder." As for the other answer choices, a "wound" is a physical injury; "health" is one's well-being, often specifically physical; "robbery" is an act of theft; and "protection" is something that defends its user against something else.

 

 

Example Question #172 : Synonyms

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

PROGRESS

Possible Answers:

Halt

Wait

Suspend

Advance

Discontinue

Correct answer:

Advance

Explanation:

Words that contain the syllable "-gress" often have something to do with stepping or going somewhere, so it makes sense that "progress" means move forward, proceed, or "advance." "Halt" means stop and "discontinue" means stop something, usually something done often, and "suspend" means pause. All of these words are antonyms of “progress” and “advance.”

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives

Select the word that has most nearly the same meaning as the word in capital letters.

CORDIAL

Possible Answers:

friendly

persuasive

comical

interesting

jubilant

Correct answer:

friendly

Explanation:

"Cordial" is defined as warm and sincere. "Cordially" is commonly used at the end of letters, in place of "sincerely." "Friendly" is the closest match because warmth and sincerity are associated with friendliness.

Example Question #2 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "headstrong" is __________.

Possible Answers:

energetic

unfriendly

bossy

tough

obstinate

Correct answer:

obstinate

Explanation:

"Headstrong" is an adjective that means "not willing to do what other people want: very stubborn." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that is also an adjective and means something like "stubborn." While "tough" might look like a potentially correct answer because "tough" is a synonym of "strong," and "headstrong" contains the word "strong," "tough" does not mean "stubborn," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Obstinate," however, means "stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so." Because "obstinate" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "headstrong," "obstinate" is the correct answer.

Example Question #3 : Identifying Synonyms

Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

SOLEMN:

Possible Answers:

serious

carefree

pleased

minor

cheerful

Correct answer:

serious

Explanation:

Something that is solemn such as a solemn event indicates that it is serious in nature.

Example Question #4 : Identifying Synonyms

Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

DISTRAUGHT:

Possible Answers:

upset

annoyed

horrified

irritated

enraged

Correct answer:

upset

Explanation:

If someone is distraught, it means they are highly distressed and upset.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

GLUM:

Possible Answers:

enthusiastic

lazy

serious

laidback

depressed

Correct answer:

depressed

Explanation:

When someone is glum, it means that they are depressed or saddened.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

A synonym of "dissatisfied" is __________.

Possible Answers:

disgruntled

petulant

erroneous

pleased

funny

Correct answer:

disgruntled

Explanation:

"Dissatisfied" is an adjective that means "not content or happy with something." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not happy with something." So, "pleased" cannot be the correct answer, because "pleased" is an antonym of "dissatisfied," not a synonym. "Disgruntled," however, is an adjective that means "angry or dissatisfied," so "disgruntled" is the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to "dissatisfied."

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