ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #291 : Synonyms

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

MONOTONOUS

Possible Answers:

Uninteresting

Enervated

Defiant

Convoluted

Productive

Correct answer:

Uninteresting

Explanation:

The root "mono" means one, and the "-ton-" in "monotonous" derives from "tone," meaning sound, so it makes sense that “monotone” means producing one tone. However, it also means boringly uniform and uninteresting. "Uninteresting" is thus the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, "defiant" means rebellious; "convoluted" means complex or overly complex; "enervated" means having used up all of one's energy or exhausted; and "productive" means yielding useful results.

Example Question #292 : Synonyms

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

PERMANENT

Possible Answers:

Considerable

Acceptable

Carefree

Lasting

Frivolous

Correct answer:

Lasting

Explanation:

The prefix "per-" means through, and it is here combined with a Latin word that means "stay," so it makes sense that "permanent" means staying or lasting throughout all time or intended to do so. This means that "lasting" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “acceptable” means good enough, “frivolous” means having no purpose or seriousness; “considerable” means of enough significance to be thought about or of a notable amount; and "carefree" means untroubled.

Example Question #293 : Synonyms

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

MANUAL

Possible Answers:

Particular

Hand-operated

Handheld

Tactile

Intangible

Correct answer:

Hand-operated

Explanation:

"Manual" derives from the Latin word "manus," which has many definitions, one of which is hand. So, it makes sense that "manual," when used as an adjective, means having to do with the hands or operated by hand as opposed to automatically by utilizing another force. "Manual" labor involves the use of one's hands, for example. "Hand-operated" is thus the correct answer. While "handheld" (of a size able to be easily held in the hands) may look like a potentially correct answer, it has nothing to do with work. "Tactile," meaning able to be touched or having to do with the sense of touch, may also seem like a potentially correct answer, but again, it has nothing to do with work.

Example Question #294 : Synonyms

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

NUMEROUS

Possible Answers:

Immovable

Plentiful

Illogical

Literate

Fortunate

Correct answer:

Plentiful

Explanation:

The word "numerous" derives from the Latin word for number. This makes sense, as it means found in great numbers, or in other words, abundant or "plentiful." As for the other answer choices, “illogical” means not logical or not reasonable; “literate” means able to read; “fortunate” means lucky; and “immovable” means impossible to move.

Example Question #295 : Synonyms

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

MAGNIFICENT

Possible Answers:

Great

Terrible

Untouchable

Gorgeous

Frequent

Correct answer:

Great

Explanation:

"Magnificent" derives from a Latin word meaning noble, important, or great like other English words that include "magn-" (like "magnify" and "magnate"). So, it makes sense that "magnificent" means splendid or majestic. "Great" is thus the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, "gorgeous" means very good-looking; “untouchable” means not able to be touched or not able to be matched; “terrible” means very bad; and "frequent" means often.

Example Question #296 : Synonyms

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

UNIQUE

Possible Answers:

Mandatory

Original

Unoriginal

Prohibited

Limited

Correct answer:

Original

Explanation:

The English prefix "uni-" comes from Latin and means having to do with one of something. Given this, it makes sense that “unique” means one-of-a-kind or "original." “Unoriginal” means not original, because the prefix "un-" means not. “Mandatory” means necessary as opposed to optional; “prohibited” means not allowed due to some official rule; and "limited" means having a defined and set extent.

Example Question #297 : Synonyms

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

TERRAIN

Possible Answers:

Weather

Temperature

Rain

Land

Sky

Correct answer:

Land

Explanation:

"Terra" is the Latin word for earth or land, so it makes sense that “terrain” means a type of land, like “rocky terrain” or “grassy terrain.” The “temperature” is how hot or cold it is; “weather” means the temporary and changeable atmospheric conditions involving precipitation, wind, and temperature.

Example Question #298 : Synonyms

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

NOVELTY

Possible Answers:

Newness

Size

Entertainment

Age

Fortune

Correct answer:

Newness

Explanation:

The root "nov" comes from Latin and means new or begin, so it makes sense that "novelty" means "newness." "Age" means the span of time for which someone or something has existed; "size" refers to the amount of physical space something or someone takes up; "entertainment" is something intended to amuse; and "fortune" can either refer to a large amount of money owned by one person or luck.

Example Question #299 : Synonyms

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

PEDESTRIAN

Possible Answers:

Responder

Transporter

Driver

Pilot

Walker

Correct answer:

Walker

Explanation:

The root "ped" comes from Latin and means related to feet or walking; you can see it used in words like "pedal" and "impediment" and it is similar to the "pod-" one sees in the word "podiatrist," or doctor who specializes in treating patients' feet. Given this, it makes sense that a "pedestrian" is someone who is walking, usually by the side of a road. A “responder” is someone who answers something, such as a call; a “transporter” is someone who moves something from one place to another; and a “pilot” is someone who flies a plane.

Example Question #300 : Synonyms

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

PERSIST

Possible Answers:

Resist

Continue

Desist

Conclude

Delay

Correct answer:

Continue

Explanation:

The root "per" can throughout and is seen in words like "perfuse" (spread gradually throughout an entire thing), so it makes sense that "persist" means continue throughout a long period of time or in other words, keep going. "Continue" is thus the best answer. “Desist” means stop, or hold back from; “conclude” means finish; “delay” means cause to be set to commence until some point of time in the future; and “resist” means to not let something happen or to fight back.

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