ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #531 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROFOUND

Possible Answers:

Soluble

Casual

Earnest

Prepared

Limited

Correct answer:

Earnest

Explanation:

"Profound" is an adjective meaning "having or showing great knowledge or understanding," "difficult to understand : requiring deep thought or wisdom," or "very strongly felt." "Earnest," which means "resulting from or showing sincere and intense conviction," is the best answer because it is closest in meaning to "very strongly felt," and none of the answer choices are at all similar in meaning to any of the definitions of "profound."

Example Question #532 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HYPOCRITICAL

Possible Answers:

Cruel

Contemplative

Ignorant

Vindictive

Fraudulent

Correct answer:

Fraudulent

Explanation:

The word "hypocritical" means insincere; this is essentially the same as "fraudulent," which means false.  "Vindictive" means cruel, and "contemplative" means pensive or thinking deeply about things.

Example Question #533 : Identifying Synonyms

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

POTENTIAL

Possible Answers:

Refrain 

Latent 

Mentor 

Occupant 

Inert 

Correct answer:

Latent 

Explanation:

“Potential” means possible or capable of becoming real. The closest answer choice is “latent,” which means hidden, lying dormant. To provide further help, “inert” means motionless; “occupant” means resident; a “mentor” is a teacher; “refrain” means to stop doing.

Example Question #534 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LIBERATED

Possible Answers:

Portentous

Wild 

Disciplined

Free 

Correct answer:

Free 

Explanation:

"Liberated" means released from bondage or another state of captivity or free. "Free" means uninhibited by restrictions. Therefore, "free" is the closest synonym of "liberated." "Wild" is a tempting answer because something that is wild frequently is also free. However, "wild" does not mean "free"; it means untamed or feral. Therefore, it cannot be the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, "portentous" means ominous and "disciplined" means demonstrating that one has control over one's actions.

Example Question #535 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HYPNOTIC

Possible Answers:

Deceptive

Strange

Mesmerizing

Magical

Distorted

Correct answer:

Mesmerizing

Explanation:

"Hypnotic" means to have the effect of fixating one's attention. "Mesmerizing" also means this, so "mesmerizing" is the correct answer.

Example Question #536 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROBABLE

Possible Answers:

Impassive

Comfortable

Uncomfortable

Unlikely

Likely

Correct answer:

Likely

Explanation:

Something that is "probable" is likely to happen, so "likely" is the correct answer. To help you, "impassive" means unemotional, unaffected, or blank.

Example Question #537 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MUNDANE

Possible Answers:

Unusual 

Ordinary

Free

Material

Damaged

Correct answer:

Ordinary

Explanation:

"Mundane" means ordinary or uninteresting. Therefore, "ordinary" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "mundane."

Example Question #538 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FORTUITOUS

Possible Answers:

Coincidental

Fuzzy

Intentional

Bland

Lumbering

Correct answer:

Coincidental

Explanation:

"Fortuitous" is an adjective that means "happening by accident or chance rather than design," so we need to pick out an answer choice that is an adjective that means something like "happening by accident." So, "intentional" cannot be the correct answer because "intentional" means "done on purpose; deliberate," making it an antonym of "fortuitous," not a synonym. "Coincidental," however, is an adjective that means "resulting from a coincidence; done or happening by chance," and because "coincidental" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "fortuitous," "coincidental" is the correct answer.

Example Question #539 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NOXIOUS
Possible Answers:
Injurious 
 

Legitimate

Benign

Woeful

Aggravating 
Correct answer:
Injurious 
 
Explanation:
"Noxious" is an adjective that means poisonous. It has a negative connotation, so the answer must also be an adjective with a negative connotation. Considering the potential answer choices, "benign" (which means harmless) and "legitimate" (which means acceptable or lawful) do not have negative connotations, so neither of those words can be the correct answer. This leaves us to pick the correct answer from amongst "injurious," which means harmful, "aggravating," which means irritating or annoying, and "woeful," which means miserable. "Injurious" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "noxious," so "injurious" is the correct answer.

Example Question #43 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters.

LUCRATIVE

Possible Answers:

Occupational

Expensive

Radical

Understanding

Profitable

Correct answer:

Profitable

Explanation:

"Lucrative" is defined as moneymaking. This is simliar to "profitable."

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