ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Nouns for Abstract Concepts

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #181 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

GALE

Possible Answers:

Breeze

Downpour

Deluge

Wind

Squall

Correct answer:

Squall

Explanation:

A "gale" is a strong wind, so you must look for a word that adequately expresses this idea of being a strong windstorm among the options provided. Two of the options deal with strong rains, namely "deluge" and "downpour." The options "wind" and "breeze" do not indicate a strong enough sort of windstorm. Only "squall" describes a kind of sudden and very strong wind.

Example Question #182 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

MALADY

Possible Answers:

Damsel

Tincture

Sickness

Diagnosis

Antidote

Correct answer:

Sickness

Explanation:

The word "malady" comes from the Latin word for bad, "malus." Someone who is "maleficent" is someone who wants to cause harm. Whenever someone is filled with "malice," he or she is filled with ill-will, meaning that he or she wants to harm others. A "malady" is something bad—namely, an illness. Hence, the best option among those provided is "sickness."

Example Question #183 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

FACADE

Possible Answers:

Fear

Building

Illusion

Mystery

Remainder

Correct answer:

Illusion

Explanation:

"Facade" is defined as an illusion or false appearance of something. The other word choices are not synonyms for "facade." "Fear" is an emotion of terror, "mystery" is a puzzle or enigma, "remainder" is a surplus, and a "building" is a structure.

Example Question #184 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

I was impressed by the dog's ________________; he was able to jump over hurdles and sprint with ease. 

Possible Answers:

Agility

Friendliness

Affability

Candor

Posture

Correct answer:

Agility

Explanation:

"Agility" is "nimbleness," or ease of movement, which makes this the correct answer. "Candor" means frankness and "affability" means geniality, which is similar to "friendliness." "Posture" is unrelated to these definitions and refers to the position of a body.

Example Question #185 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

VEX

Possible Answers:

Stifle

Attack

Annoy

Validate

Deliver

Correct answer:

Annoy

Explanation:

"Vex" is defined as to irritate or anger, which matches the answer choice "annoy." "Attack" is too strong of a synonym and means instead to assault or strike. "Validate," "deliver," and "stifle" are not related to the word "Vex."

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