All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #363 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ANGST
Depression
Crisis
Anxiety
Solution
Adolescence
Anxiety
“Angst” is a feeling of anxiety and discomfort. It is often associated with teenagers, or in other words, those going through "adolescence." As for the other answer choices, “crisis” means emergency or disaster; a "solution" can mean a solvent in which a solute has been dissolved or the way in which a problem is thought to be able to be solved; and "depression" is strong, persistent sadness or the medical condition from which such emotions can arise.
Example Question #364 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AMITY
Hatred
Depravity
Rivalry
Friendship
Peace
Friendship
“Amity” means friendly or loving relationship, so "friendship" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “depravity” means immorality or lewd behavior; and “rivalry” is intense competition with one group or person.
Example Question #365 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PINNACLE
Peak
Thunder
Valley
Mountain
Torrent
Peak
The “pinnacle” is the high point of something, usually an achievement, or a "peak." As for the other answer choices, a “valley” is a low area of land between mountains; “torrent” means flood or outpouring;
Example Question #366 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FABRICATION
Question
Quilt
Falsehood
Misconception
Candor
Falsehood
A “fabrication” is a falsehood or a "lie." As for the other answer choices, “candor” is frank honesty; a “misconception” is something false that is believed or something understood incorrectly; a "quilt" is a bed covering made of squares of fabric sewn together over batting; and a "question" is a query.
Example Question #367 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FATUITY
Bulkiness
Thoroughness
Decadence
Foolishness
Flabbiness
Foolishness
The word "fatuous" comes from the Latin word for foolish or stupid. "Fatuity" describes the general state of being "fatuous." That is, it describes "foolishness." Thus, we could say, "The discussion was fatuous on the whole, and Socrates thought most of it to be a waste of time." As for "fatuity", we could say, "The arrogant professor thought almost all normal discussions were matters of fatuity compared to his important research work." Note, "fatuity" should not be interpreted as having something to do with being "fat." This word comes from very different roots.
Example Question #368 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FLUCTUATE
Return
Respond
Ventilate
Alter
Form
Alter
The word "fluctuate" comes from Latin roots meaning wave or to make a wave-like motion. Thus, when something fluctuates, it continually changes. Thus, a fluctuating position is one that moves from place to place, and someone's weight fluctuates when it increases and decreases variously. The word broadly means, thus, to change. The only option that directly corresponds to this meaning is "alter." To "alter" something is to make it become different.
Example Question #369 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
JEOPARDY
Peril
Thriving
Exciting
Amazing
Affluent
Peril
When something is "in jeopardy," it is at risk. Therefore, the best synonym for "jeopardy" is "peril." Something is also at risk when it is "in peril" or "imperiled." The two options "exciting" and "amazing" might be tempting. Risky things are often exciting or amazing; however "excitement" is not a direct synonym for "jeopardy" itself.
Example Question #141 : Synonyms: Nouns
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INDICATION
Prognosis
Conclusion
Argument
Evidence
Diagnosis
Evidence
An indication is a sign of something else. Thus, someone's fever can be an indication of illness. The only option that is synonymous in this manner is "evidence." For instance, it is basically the same thing to say, "The fever is an indication of illness," as it is to say, "The fever is evidence of illness."
Example Question #142 : Synonyms: Nouns
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LENIENCY
Voracity
Redundancy
Clemency
Laziness
Instability
Clemency
When someone is lenient, he or she is not overly harsh in some regard. For example, a lenient grader is someone who gives grades that are not overly critical. Also, someone can be lenient with regard to a punishment, meaning that he or she does not give out very harsh punishments. For this reason, a good synonym for "leniency" is "mercy." The word "clemency" means either "mercy" or "leniency."
Example Question #143 : Synonyms: Nouns
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
RETALIATION
Reparation
Restitution
Replication
Retribution
Reconsideration
Retribution
When someone "retaliates," he or she responds to a damaging event by creating an equal amount of damage to the person or entity that harmed him or her. Now, it is important to note that retaliation thus deals with doing equal damage. This fact eliminates "reparation" and "restitution" as options. These deal with making a payment to the person whom you have harmed. This is quite different from retaliating. (Indeed, the one who makes reparation or restitution is the very person who caused the harm. The retaliating person is the person who was harmed.) "Retribution" is a kind of punishment that is enacted against a person for the harm that he or she did. Generally, it is implied to be a punishment equal to the crime in question. Thus, among the options provided here at least, this is the best.