ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #111 : Synonyms

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

DECIPHER

Possible Answers:

Dispute

Decode

Explain

Reveal

Unhinge

Correct answer:

Decode

Explanation:

"Decipher" means derive information from something that is encoded. Therefore, the synonym is "decode."

Example Question #111 : Synonyms

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

POSTPONE

Possible Answers:

pugnacious

aggravate

commence

delay

insinuate

Correct answer:

delay

Explanation:

“Postpone” means to delay. The prefix post- ought to have been a clue here, because it means after. To provide further help, “commence” means begin; “pugnacious” means aggressive and determined; “aggravate” means make worse; “insinuate” means to imply an accusation, to suggest someone has done something wrong.

Example Question #112 : Synonyms

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

INDUCE

Possible Answers:

Stimulate 

Discern

Indulge 

Inculcate 

Sanctify 

Correct answer:

Stimulate 

Explanation:

The suffix "-duce" means to lead to, to cause, so the word “induce” means to cause a reaction, to lead to action. It is most similar in definition to “stimulate,” which means to cause to happen, to inspire to action. To provide further help, “discern” means tell the difference, distinguish; “sanctify” means make holy; to “indulge” is to allow to have something pleasurable; “inculcate” means to instill, to teach through repetition.

Example Question #113 : Synonyms

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

DISINGENUOUS

Possible Answers:

Mettlesome

Candid

Purloined

Deceitful

Buoyant

Correct answer:

Deceitful

Explanation:

"Disingenuous" is an adjective meaning "not truly honest or sincere" or "giving the false appearance of being honest or sincere," so we need to pick out an answer choice that is also an adjective and means something like "not honest." While "candid" may look like a potentially correct answer because it has to do with truth, "candid" actually means "truthful and straightforward; frank," so it is an antonym of "disingenuous" and cannot be the correct answer. "Deceitful," however, means "guilty of or involving deceit; deceiving or misleading others," so "deceitful" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "disingenuous."

Example Question #114 : Synonyms

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

DISINTERESTED

Possible Answers:

Meaningful

Humble

Unbiased

Partial

Boring

Correct answer:

Unbiased

Explanation:

"Disinterested" is an adjective that can mean either "not influenced by personal feelings, opinions, or concerns" or "having no desire to know about a particular thing : not interested." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not influenced by emotions" or "not interested." "Partial," then, cannot be the correct answer because "partial" means " favoring one side in a dispute above the other; biased," making it an antonym of "disinterested." "Unbiased," however, is an adjective that means "showing no prejudice for or against something; impartial," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "disinterested," "unbiased" is the correct answer.

Example Question #115 : Synonyms

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

MALEVOLENT

Possible Answers:

Virtuous

Laden

Good

Gaunt

Evil

Correct answer:

Evil

Explanation:

"Malevolent" is the direct antonym of "benevolent." Whilst "benevolent" means good-natured, "malevolent" means bad-natured or evil and wicked. So, "evil" is the correct answer. To help you, "virtuous" is a synonym of "benevolent," "gaunt" means very skinny to the point of ill-health, and "laden" means burdened.

Example Question #116 : Synonyms

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

DISARRAY

Possible Answers:

Concession

Disorder

Trek

Migration

Bias

Correct answer:

Disorder

Explanation:

"Disarray" means disorder or chaos, so "disorder" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "disarray": "migration" is the annual journey animals make from one area to another; "trek" is a long and often difficult journey; "concession" is something given up, usually in a compromise or negotiation; and "bias" means prejudice or partiality.

Example Question #111 : Synonyms

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

MALODOROUS

Possible Answers:

Malevolent

Benevolent

Sincere

Smelly

Loud

Correct answer:

Smelly

Explanation:

"Malodorous" means bad-smelling. Whenever you see -odor you can guess that the word has something to do with smells, likewise the prefix -mal means bad. To provide further help, "malevolent" means bad-natured, evil; and "benevolent" means good-natured, kind.

Example Question #112 : Synonyms

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

UNSURPASSED

Possible Answers:

Uncommitted 

Insipid 

Uncontrollable 

Banal

Supreme 

Correct answer:

Supreme 

Explanation:

“Unsurpassed” literally means not taken over, however it is most commonly used to mean best or supreme. To provide further help, “insipid” and “banal” are synonyms and both mean boring, dull, lifeless; "uncommitted" means not interested, casual; “uncontrollable” means not able to be controlled.

Example Question #113 : Synonyms

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

PRELUDE

Possible Answers:

Glossary 

Epilogue 

Conclusion 

Introduction 

Plot

Correct answer:

Introduction 

Explanation:

The prefix "pre-" means before and is opposite in meaning to the prefix "post-." When you see a world like “prelude,” it is reasonable to assume it means something coming before something else. Indeed, “prelude” means introduction. To provide further help, the “plot” is the sequence of events that take place in a story; the “conclusion” of something is the end of it; the “epilogue” is a part of a story that comes after the end of the main story; and a “glossary” is a list of terms used in a book that are presented with their definitions, usually at the back of a book.

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