ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #611 : Synonyms

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

GALE

Possible Answers:

Wind

Deluge

Squall

Downpour

Breeze

Correct answer:

Squall

Explanation:

A "gale" is a strong wind, so you must look for a word that adequately expresses this idea of being a strong windstorm among the options provided. Two of the options deal with strong rains, namely "deluge" and "downpour." The options "wind" and "breeze" do not indicate a strong enough sort of windstorm. Only "squall" describes a kind of sudden and very strong wind.

Example Question #612 : Synonyms

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

MALADY

Possible Answers:

Damsel

Diagnosis

Sickness

Antidote

Tincture

Correct answer:

Sickness

Explanation:

The word "malady" comes from the Latin word for bad, "malus." Someone who is "maleficent" is someone who wants to cause harm. Whenever someone is filled with "malice," he or she is filled with ill-will, meaning that he or she wants to harm others. A "malady" is something bad—namely, an illness. Hence, the best option among those provided is "sickness."

Example Question #613 : Synonyms

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

FACADE

Possible Answers:

Mystery

Remainder

Illusion

Fear

Building

Correct answer:

Illusion

Explanation:

"Facade" is defined as an illusion or false appearance of something. The other word choices are not synonyms for "facade." "Fear" is an emotion of terror, "mystery" is a puzzle or enigma, "remainder" is a surplus, and a "building" is a structure.

Example Question #614 : Synonyms

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

I was impressed by the dog's ________________; he was able to jump over hurdles and sprint with ease. 

Possible Answers:

Posture

Candor

Affability

Agility

Friendliness

Correct answer:

Agility

Explanation:

"Agility" is "nimbleness," or ease of movement, which makes this the correct answer. "Candor" means frankness and "affability" means geniality, which is similar to "friendliness." "Posture" is unrelated to these definitions and refers to the position of a body.

Example Question #615 : Synonyms

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

VEX

Possible Answers:

Stifle

Deliver

Validate

Attack

Annoy

Correct answer:

Annoy

Explanation:

"Vex" is defined as to irritate or anger, which matches the answer choice "annoy." "Attack" is too strong of a synonym and means instead to assault or strike. "Validate," "deliver," and "stifle" are not related to the word "Vex."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

TUMULTUOUS

Possible Answers:

Tall

Boisterous

Wordy

Colorful

Correct answer:

Boisterous

Explanation:

The word "tumultuous" means incredibly loud and disorderly. The word "boisterous" is the best choice because it means rough and noisy and is the closest in definition to "tumultuous." Considering the other choices, "colorful" means having many colors, "tall" means great in height or length, and "wordy" refers to written works and means too lengthy.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

INSIPID

Possible Answers:

Boring

Obstinate

Prosperous

Healthy

Lavish

Correct answer:

Boring

Explanation:

"Insipid" means lacking interest or flavor, which is closest in meaning to "boring."

Example Question #616 : Synonyms

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

TEPID

Possible Answers:

Loud

Indigenous

Novel

Lukewarm

Boisterous

Correct answer:

Lukewarm

Explanation:

"Tepid" is an adjective that can mean either "showing little enthusiasm" or "only slightly warm," especially when referring to liquids. Neither "loud" nor "boisterous" can't be the correct answer because they are each opposites of "showing little enthusiasm," but "lukewarm" is used of liquids or foods that should be hot and means "only moderately warm." So, because "lukewarm" is synonymous with the second meaning of "tepid," "lukewarm" is the correct answer.

Example Question #617 : Synonyms

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

LITHE

Possible Answers:

Precarious

Gentle

Long

Agile

Awkward

Correct answer:

Agile

Explanation:

"Lithe" is an adjective that refers to someone who is "flexible and supple, able to move the body lightly and gracefully." Even though "lithe" sounds like "length," long does not imply grace or agility, so that's not correct. Awkward and precarious are antonyms, and gentle describes how someone behaves, not a quality of their body. Therefore, the closest answer is "agile."

Example Question #618 : Synonyms

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

MURKY

Possible Answers:

Indifferent

Dogged

Renowned

Cloudy

Scarce

Correct answer:

Cloudy

Explanation:

"Murky" means clouded or depressing and gloomy, so "clouded" is the correct answer. "Dogged" means persistent or determined. "Renowned" means well-known or famous. "Scarce" means rare due to there not being enough of something. "Indifferent" means detached and uninterested.

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