ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quantity, Variety, And Size

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

PORTABLE

Possible Answers:

Lightweight

Big

Toy

Bag

Correct answer:

Lightweight

Explanation:

The word "portable" means easy to carry and transport from place to place. The best choice is "lightweight" because it is a characteristic of something that is portable and can be used as a synonym of "portable." Considering the other options, "big" is an antonym of portable because something that is big is not able to be carried easily. "Bag" and "toy" are both examples of things that can be portable.

Example Question #401 : Synonyms

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

ASSORTED

Possible Answers:

metropolitcan

wilderness

various

concept

circumstantial

Correct answer:

various

Explanation:

Assorted means made up of various types of things. To further help you, a concept is an idea; the wilderness is the wild; metropolitan means a large city area; circumstantial means because of a situation, lucky.

Example Question #402 : Synonyms

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

SPARSE

Possible Answers:

Duplicate

Thrifty

Nonchalant

Scant

Concept

Correct answer:

Scant

Explanation:

"Sparse" means scarce or not abundant. "Scant" similarly means scarce or not abundant, so "scant" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, a "concept" is an idea, a "duplicate" is an exact copy and to "duplicate" something means to make an exact copy of it, "thrifty" means using what you have carefully and not wasting anything, and "nonchalant" means calm and unconcerned about something.

Example Question #403 : Synonyms

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

SCARCE

Possible Answers:

Abundant

Disgusting

Frightening

Rare

Correct answer:

Rare

Explanation:

When something is "becoming scarce," it is decreasing in quantity. Indeed, a "scarce" supply is one that is scanty or small in quantity. If almost all the trees in a forest are cut down, we would say, "The trees have become scarce." Therefore, the word "scarce" at times is used to mean "rare" as well. If there are few trees, it becomes rare to see them. A "rare occurrence" is one that does not happen very frequently—it "scarcely happens."

Example Question #404 : Synonyms

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

ABUNDANT

Possible Answers:

Plentiful

Fruitful

Scarce

Energetic

Correct answer:

Plentiful

Explanation:

When you have an "abundance" of something, you have a lot of that thing. The word "abounding" means overflowing or in a great quantity. Therefore, "abounding love" means a great amount of love—to the point of overflowing. The best answer is "plentiful," which expresses having a great amount. To say that you have "plenty of corn" is to say that you have a lot of corn. Note, however, that while a fruitful harvest is indeed "plentiful," it does not mean exactly the same thing as "abundant." "Fruitful" means producing a lot or productive, so while "fruitfulness" is a kind of "abundance," is not the same as "abundance" or "abundant."

Example Question #405 : Synonyms

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

MEAGER

Possible Answers:

Merge

Generous

Ample

Sparse

Wealthy

Correct answer:

Sparse

Explanation:

"Meager" refers to amounts of things and means a very small or too small. "Sparse," which means present only in small amounts or less than is necessary, is the best match.

Example Question #406 : Synonyms

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

MAXIMUM

Possible Answers:

Minor

Meager

Drastic

Greatest

Cordial

Correct answer:

Greatest

Explanation:

"Maximum" means most or greatest possible, so "greatest" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "maximum": "meager" means insufficient or not enough; "minor" means relatively small or relatively unimportant; "drastic" means extreme or radical; and "cordial" means friendly and pleasant.

Example Question #407 : Synonyms

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

SCANT

Possible Answers:

Significant 

Elementary 

Delicious 

Little 

Precious 

Correct answer:

Little 

Explanation:

Scant means slight or little. To further help you, precious means valuable and important to someone; delicious means tasty; significant means important or noteworthy; elementary means basic.

Example Question #412 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

MONOTONE

Possible Answers:

Gullible 

Unifying 

Variable

Unchanging 

Resolute 

Correct answer:

Unchanging 

Explanation:

The prefix "mono-" means one, so the word “monotone” means having only one tone. Of the answer choices, it is closest in meaning to “unchanging” which means not changing, staying the same. To provide further help, “variable” means differing; “gullible” means easily tricked; “resolute” means determined; “unifying” means bringing together

Example Question #408 : Synonyms

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

AMPLE

Possible Answers:

Applied

Charged

Profuse

Meager

Worried

Correct answer:

Profuse

Explanation:

"Ample" is an adjective that means "enough or more than enough; plentiful." So, "meager" cannot be the correct answer, because "meager" means "lacking in quantity or quality" when used to refer to something provided or available," making "meager" an antonym of "ample," not a synonym." "Profuse," however, is an adjective that means "exuberantly plentiful; abundant, especially when used of something offered or discharged." Because "profuse" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "ample," "profuse" is the correct answer.

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