ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #641 : Synonyms

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

ARID

Possible Answers:

Dry

Cold

Intense

Damp

Airy

Correct answer:

Dry

Explanation:

"Arid" is an adjective that means "having little or no rain; too dry or barren to support vegetation" when it refers to land or climate, or "lacking in interest, excitement, or meaning" in referring to other things. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like either "dry" or "boring." While "airy" may look like a potentially correct answer choice because it is similar in spelling and pronunciation to "arid," "airy" does not mean "dry" or "boring," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Dry" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "arid," so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #281 : Identifying Synonyms

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

APPETIZING

Possible Answers:

Redundant

Aggravating

Agitating

Repulsive

Tempting

Correct answer:

Tempting

Explanation:

Something that is "appetizing" is something that makes one want to eat. The answer choice closest in meaning to "appetizing" is "tempting," which means enticing or appealing, even though enjoying it might be a bad idea or wrong, so "tempting" is the correct answer.

Example Question #282 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DELECTABLE

Possible Answers:

Ubiquitous 

Outrageous 

Circumstantial 

Tasty 

Surrogate 

Correct answer:

Tasty 

Explanation:

"Delectable" means tasty or delicious, so "tasty" is the correct answer. To help you, "circumstantial" means accidental or owed to circumstance, "outrageous" means ridiculous, "ubiquitous" means ever-present or everywhere, and "surrogate" means substitute, stand-in, or replacement.

Example Question #283 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COMBUSTIBLE

Possible Answers:

Combative

Serious

Chronic

Volatile

Chemical

Correct answer:

Volatile

Explanation:

"Combustible" means explosive, while "volatile" means liable to change or explode. Thus, "combustible" is closest in meaning to "volatile."

Example Question #642 : Synonyms

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

ROBUST

Possible Answers:

Weak

Shy

Timid

Strong

Introverted

Correct answer:

Strong

Explanation:

Someone or something that is "robust" is strong and sturdy, so "strong" is the correct answer. To help you, "timid," "shy," and "introverted" are all loose synonyms of one another. Someone who is "timid" is shy and weak, and someone who is "introverted" is shy, reserved, and quiet.

Example Question #643 : Synonyms

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

PALLID

Possible Answers:

flavorless 

pale 

pigmented

calm

weak 

Correct answer:

pale 

Explanation:

"Pallid" means pale in appearance, often due to being sick. "Pale" means lacking vibrancy of color. Therefore, "pale" is closest in meaning to the word "pallid." While pallid people are sometimes weak because they are sometimes sick, "weak" does not have the same meaning as "pallid," and so it is a tempting wrong answer. "Pigmented" means having color as opposed to not having color, which is the opposite of "pallid."

Example Question #644 : Synonyms

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

LUMINOUS

Possible Answers:

Bright

Rainy

Numerous

Cold

Cloudy

Correct answer:

Bright

Explanation:

"Luminous" means bright and shining. The best choice is "bright" as it is a part of the definition of "luminous." 

Example Question #287 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MELLIFLUOUS

Possible Answers:

Flulike

Melted

Dulcet

Enraged

Correct answer:

Dulcet

Explanation:

The word "mellifluous" means sweetly flowing or sounding. The best choice is "dulcet," which also means sweetly sounding. Considering the other choices, "flulike" means resembling symptoms of the flu, "melted" means having become liquid, and "enraged" means angry.

Example Question #288 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DUCTILE

Possible Answers:

Nocturnal

Despicable

Visible

Malleable

Sensible

Correct answer:

Malleable

Explanation:

Something that is "ductile" is very malleable, easily shaped into something different, or easily influenced. So, for example, clay is ductile. So, "malleable" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "ductile": "despicable" means wicked; an animal that is "nocturnal" is awake at night and asleep during the day; "visible" means able to be seen; and "sensible" means proper, considerate, or not foolish.

Example Question #289 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DURABLE

Possible Answers:

Flimsy

Dainty

Impermanent

Transitory

Indestructible

Correct answer:

Indestructible

Explanation:

Something that is "durable" is long-lasting and thus, the best fit is "indestructible" which indicates something that is unable to be broken or damaged easily. "Impermanent" means lasting only for a short amount of time; "dainty" means fragile; and "flimsy" means delicate.

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