ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1272 : Synonyms

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

REPLETE

Possible Answers:

Polite

Full

Reduce

Reject

Correct answer:

Full

Explanation:

The word "replete" means abundant or full. The best choice is "full" because it is a part of the definition of "replete." 

Example Question #911 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROLIFIC

Possible Answers:

Broken

Rich

Small

Scripted

Correct answer:

Rich

Explanation:

The word "prolific" means incredibly productive or existing in large quantities. The best choice is "copious" because "copious" also means existing in large quantities. Considering the other choices, "scripted" means planned, "small" means not great in size, and "broken" means reduced to fragments or not able to function as normal.

Example Question #912 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SUPERFLUOUS

Possible Answers:

Loose 

Significant

Description 

Redundant

Impediment

Correct answer:

Redundant

Explanation:

Something that is “superfluous” is redundant or not needed. To provide further help, “significant” means important; an “impediment” is an obstacle; “loose” means movable, not tight; a “description” is an account or an explanation of something.

Example Question #913 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EGREGIOUS

Possible Answers:

Limber

Lofty

Considerable

Desirable

Appalling

Correct answer:

Appalling

Explanation:

“Egregious” means dreadful, terrible, or "appalling." As for the other answer choices, “desirable” means desired or wanted; “lofty” means proud, tall, or high-minded; "considerable" means notable or significant; and "limber" means nimble and flexible.

Example Question #914 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SCARCE

Possible Answers:

Wistful

Fertile

Rare

Abysmal

Disingenuous

Correct answer:

Rare

Explanation:

“Scarce” means hard to find due to being available in small quantities or amounts, so "rare" is the best answer choice. “Fertile” means able to produce life; “wistful” means sadly nostalgic or sadly longing; “disingenuous” means insincere or dishonest; and “abysmal” means absolutely terrible in quality.

Example Question #915 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AKIN 

Possible Answers:

Parental

Analogous

Immature

Begotten

Equivalent

Correct answer:

Analogous

Explanation:

The word "akin" is related to "kin", meaning "relative" or "relation" more generally. A person's "kin" are his or her relatives. To be "akin" to something is to be related to it, thus to be alike to it.  This does not mean that the things are equivalent. Likewise, the options "parental" and "begotten" try to trick you into thinking that "akin" must be directly related to blood relations. Therefore, the best option given here is "analogous", which means alike in some respects but not others. Analogies express this kind of relationship.  For example, "Just as a lightbulb illuminates a house, so too does a brilliant person illuminate the minds of his or her friends." The two senses of "illumination" spoken of here are different, though not totally so. They are analogous, or akin.

Example Question #916 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ABUNDANT

Possible Answers:

Morose

Plentiful

Wealthy

Ecstatic

Astonishing

Correct answer:

Plentiful

Explanation:

The word "abundant" is related to the word "abound," which means to be full or to have a great deal of (something). When someone has, for example, "abundant financial resources," he or she has a lot of money. Because of this meaning, you might think that "wealthy" is correct; however, abundance (and being "abundant") has to deal with having a lot of anything whatsoever. Hence, the best synonym offered here is "plentiful," which is clearly related to the word "plenty" meaning existing in a large quantity.

Example Question #917 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROTRACTED

Possible Answers:

Remote

Extended

Predilection

Prosperous

Distant

Correct answer:

Extended

Explanation:

When we prolong something, we stretch it out. A "prolonged argument" is one that is extended over a long period of time. In one way, you can think of the word like "pro-long." Something that is stretched is made to be long, but this might lead you to pick an answer like "distant" as well. Distant things are, after all, a "long way off." In any case, the essence of "prolonging" something is extending that thing over a larger or longer space—whether it be a longer physical space or perhaps a longer "space of time."

Example Question #918 : Identifying Synonyms

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

POWERFUL

Possible Answers:

Muscular

Flexible

Potent

Vilifying

Physiological

Correct answer:

Potent

Explanation:

We use many meanings for words like "powerful" and "strong." Here, the best option is "potent," which means powerful as well. It comes from Latin roots that mean able to do something or even, having the power to do something. The words "potential," "possible," and "potency" also all come from the same root. Do not be tempted by many of the other options, which try to get you to think of "strong" in the physical sense. None of these options are actually synonyms for "strong," even though they might deal with things related to physical strength and wellness.

Example Question #919 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LULLING

Possible Answers:

Languid

Babbling

Soothing

Foolish

Sleepy

Correct answer:

Soothing

Explanation:

Something that is "lulling" is soothing. A "lull" is a quiet time. For instance, at a restaurant, there can be a "lull" when patrons stop coming—giving the workers a quiet time to recover. Now, a "lulling" voice can put someone to sleep, but this does not mean that something that is "lulling" is itself sleepy. The basic synonym for "lull" that works best is just the simple word "soothing."

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