ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Authenticity, Understanding, And Importance

A synonym of "erroneous" is __________.

Possible Answers:

complex

mistaken

correct

simple

fallible

Correct answer:

mistaken

Explanation:

"Erroneous" is an adjective that means "wrong; incorrect," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "wrong." "Correct," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "correct" is an antonym of "erroneous," not a synonym. "Mistaken," however, is an adjective that means either "wrong in one's opinion or judgment" or especially of a belief, "based on or resulting from a misunderstanding or faulty judgment." Because "mistaken" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "erroneous," "mistaken" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1001 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COVERT

Possible Answers:

Thematic

Hidden 

Federal 

Distasteful 

Illegal 

Correct answer:

Hidden 

Explanation:

Something that is "covert" is hidden, or more specifically, hidden from the general public. For example, some police officers will walk around public places in a covert manner so that they can more easily find unsuspecting criminals without being identified as police officers. So, "hidden" is the correct answer.

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Authenticity, Understanding, And Importance

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

SALIENT

Possible Answers:

Circumstantial

Exquisite 

Significant 

Unstable 

Irrelevant 

Correct answer:

Significant 

Explanation:

"Salient" means significant or noteworthy. To help you, "irrelevant" means not important and is an antonym of "salient." To further help you, "unstable" means not balancedmentally unbalanced, prone to experiencing problems of a psychiatric nature, or volatile; circumstantial means accidental or owed to circumstance; and "exquisite" means perfect, divine, or gorgeous.

Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Authenticity, Understanding, And Importance

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

 DUBIOUS
Possible Answers:

fragile

superfluous
doubtful
 

certain

abrupt
 
Correct answer:
doubtful
 
Explanation:
If you are not too sure about something, you might be "dubious" about it, as "dubious" means expressing doubt or hesitation. Considering the potential answer choices, "abrupt" means stark or sudden, "certain" means absolutely sure, "superfluous" means extraneous, and "fragile" means breakable. So, none of these answer choices can be correct because none of them are close in meaning to "dubious." "Doubtful," however, is an adjective that means uncertain, and because "doubtful" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "dubious," "doubtful" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1002 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AMBIGUOUS

Possible Answers:

Unusual

Unsure

Frustrating

Alien

Vague

Correct answer:

Vague

Explanation:

"Ambiguous" means "vague," or indefinite and undefined.

Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Authenticity, Understanding, And Importance

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

AMBIGUOUS

Possible Answers:

Droll

Vague

Elegant

Amorphous

Gaunt

Correct answer:

Vague

Explanation:

"Ambiguous" is an adjective that means unclear, open to interpretation, or vague. For example, one might say, "By avoiding specific details, she kept her story rather ambiguous."

Example Question #33 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Authenticity, Understanding, And Importance

A synonym of "incontrovertible" is __________.

Possible Answers:

unbelievable

possessive

irrefutable

inconstant

belated

Correct answer:

irrefutable

Explanation:

"Incontrovertible" is an adjective that means "not able to be denied or disputed," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "undeniable." "Unbelievable," while beginning with a negative prefix like both "incontrovertible" ("in-") and "undeniable" ("un-") do, actually means "not able to be believed; unlikely to be true," so it is an antonym of "incontrovertible" and "undeniable." "Irrefutable," however, is an adjective that means "impossible to deny or disprove," and because "irrefutable" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "incontrovertible," "irrefutable" is the correct answer.

Example Question #34 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Authenticity, Understanding, And Importance

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

EQUIVOCAL

Possible Answers:

Equal

Ambiguous

Original

Audible

Correct answer:

Ambiguous

Explanation:

The word "equivocal" means unclear in meaning due to being able to be interpreted in multiple ways. The best choice is "ambiguous," which means having more than one meaning. Something that is ambiguous is unclear because it can have multiple meanings, as is an equivocal statement. Considering the other choices, "equal" means having the same value, "audible" means able to be heard, and "original" means new or the initial one of its kind.

Example Question #35 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Authenticity, Understanding, And Importance

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

SCURRILOUS

Possible Answers:

Clever

Gloomy

Scamper

Offensive

Correct answer:

Offensive

Explanation:

The word "scurrilous" means offensive. The best choice is "offensive," as it is a part of the definition of "scurrilous." Considering the other choices, "scamper" means run about playfully, "gloomy" means saddened, and "clever" means quick-witted.

Example Question #36 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Authenticity, Understanding, And Importance

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

VITUPERATIVE

Possible Answers:

Disorganized

Neglected

Criticized

Abusive

Correct answer:

Abusive

Explanation:

The word "vituperative" means abusive. So "abusive," a word that means characterized by treating someone badly, is the correct answer. Considering the other choices, "neglected" means not having received a suitable amount of attention, "criticized" means judged harshly by another when describing something, and "disorganized" means careless.

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