ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #86 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

TRIAL

Possible Answers:

Sadness

Manufactured

Surprise

Difficulty

Greeting

Correct answer:

Difficulty

Explanation:

The word "trial" has several meanings. It can mean attempt, as when we talk about a "trial run." This is a first attempt before we actually do something. We can have a trial run of a new machine to see if it works well enough. A "trial" can also be a difficulty. Have you ever heard someone speak of something that is "trying"? It is in this sense that "trial" can mean "difficult."

Example Question #87 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

FURY

Possible Answers:

Sadness

Rage

Anger

Displeasure

Sorrow

Correct answer:

Rage

Explanation:

For this question, you need to match the intensity of "fury." Whenever we are "furious," we are not merely annoyed. We are very angry. Therefore, the best answer is "rage." When we speak of someone's "rage," we are talking about his or her extreme anger.

Example Question #88 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

CONSEQUENCES

Possible Answers:

Delivery

Outcome

Awareness

Amazement

Punishment

Correct answer:

Outcome

Explanation:

The "consequences" of an action are the results that happen because of that action. Interestingly, the word comes from roots that literally mean what follows after something else. We most often think of negative consequences. Hence, the option "punishment" is likely tempting; however, "consequences" are better called "outcomes"—there can be positive as well as negative consequences. This is the best option among those provided.

Example Question #89 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

DEBACLE

Possible Answers:

Disaster

Fight

Party

Process

Success

Correct answer:

Disaster

Explanation:

"Debacle" means a total and complete failure. Therefore, the closest word to this would be a "disaster." A disaster would be considered a failure.

Example Question #212 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FRAGILE

Possible Answers:

Stern

Firm

Breakable

Logical

Robust

Correct answer:

Breakable

Explanation:

“Fragile” means easy to break or "breakable." As for the other answer choices, “robust” means sturdy and strong; “stern” means enforcing the rules or strict; “firm” means strong or hard and not easily forced into a different shape; “logical” means rational or not breaking any of the rules of formal logic.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Materiality

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

FIRM

Possible Answers:

Ignorant

Solid

Joyful

Angry

Lively

Correct answer:

Solid

Explanation:

The word "firm" is an adjective used to describe something that is physically solid. For example, a firm pillow is one that is somewhat hard—as opposed to a very soft pillow. Sometimes, too, this word is used to describe someone's actions. For example, to say, "He was firm about his wish to have at least eight hours of sleep," means that the person did not give up his desire for the sleep (even if others protested).

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Materiality

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

COMPACT

Possible Answers:

Organized

Pushy

Slippery

Regular

Dense

Correct answer:

Dense

Explanation:

The word "compact" comes from root words meaning joined together. When we compact our garbage, we compress it into a small space. When we describe the garbage as being "compact," we are indicating that it is very densely packed together. "Dense" things do not have much air space. The same is true for compact materials.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quantity, Variety, And Size

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.

COLOSSAL:

Possible Answers:

beneficial

diminutive

perilous

immense

magnificent

Correct answer:

immense

Explanation:

If something is colossal, it means that it is massive or immense. For example, a mistake can be colossal if it is large.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quantity, Variety, And Size

A synonym of "immense" is __________.

Possible Answers:

quiet

puny

excited

gargantuan

meddlesome

Correct answer:

gargantuan

Explanation:

"Immense" is an adjective that means "extremely large or great, especially in scale or degree." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "very big." That means that "puny" can't be the correct answer, because "puny" means "small and weak" or "poor in quality, amount, or size," so "puny" is an antonym of "immense." "Gargantuan," however, is an adjective that means "enormous," so "gargantuan" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "immense."

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quantity, Variety, And Size

A synonym of “diminutive” is __________.

Possible Answers:

enormous

minute

fragrant

subpar

tremulous

Correct answer:

minute

Explanation:

“Diminutive” is an adjective that means “extremely small,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “very small.” That means that “enormous” cannot be the correct answer, because “enormous” means “very large in size, quantity, or extent,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “diminutive.” “Minute,” however, is a word that means “extremely small” when used as an adjective, and because “minute” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “diminutive,” “minute” is the correct answer.

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