ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #161 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TREPIDATION

Possible Answers:

Envy

Dread

Honesty

Suspicion

Remorse

Correct answer:

Dread

Explanation:

"Trepidation" means dread, a feeling of great unease and anxiety that something bad will happen. "Remorse" is a similarly negative feeling, but it is reserved for sadness about events that have already transpired.

Example Question #162 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AUSTERITY

Possible Answers:

Trajectory

Severity

Luminary

Travesty

Excellency

Correct answer:

Severity

Explanation:

"Austerity" means severity or sternness. To provide further help, a "trajectory" is the expected path of something that is moving; a "travesty" is a mockery, an injustice; "luminary" means notable, important in a certain area

Example Question #163 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VOGUE

Possible Answers:

Economics

Politics

Culture

Fashion

Recreation

Correct answer:

Fashion

Explanation:

"Vogue," when used as a noun, means fashion, style, rage, trend. It can also be used as an adjective in which case it's meaning is very similar, it means fashionable or cool. "Culture" refers to any kind of culture (arts, fashion, shared experiences, media), fashionable or otherwise.

Example Question #164 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PARSIMONY

Possible Answers:

Selfishness

Cheapness

Generosity

Selflessness

Thoughtfulness

Correct answer:

Cheapness

Explanation:

"Parsimony" means not inclined towards spending money, cheapness. "Generosity" is a rough antonym to parsimony. It is almost impossible to be generous, free with one's goods or money; willing to give to others, if you are "parsimonious." Selfishness" is similar in spirit to "parsimony," but parsimony has a specific meaning related to money, which is not true of "selfishness."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs

Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

HONOR

Possible Answers:

repudiate

accept

revere

solace

portend

Correct answer:

revere

Explanation:

Repudiate means to reject, solace is peace, and portend means to predict. The word that is a synonym of honor is revere. 

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs

Answer the following sample question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

CAPITULATE

Possible Answers:

emulate

fawn

occlude

concede

waver

Correct answer:

concede

Explanation:

"Capitulate" means to concede or surrender. "Emulate" means to copy the actions of someone or something. "Fawn" means to serve or ingratiate oneself to another. "Occlude" means to block or prevent. "Waver" means to shift back and forth or be indecisive

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Verbs

Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

CHIDE

Possible Answers:

censor

scold

endure

entangle

Correct answer:

scold

Explanation:

To "chide" someone is to express disapproval or to scold. Chiding is a relatively-mild form of correction; harsher criticism might warrant a stronger verb like "rebuke," "castigate," or "upbraid."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

CADGE

Possible Answers:

scrounge

confound

antagonize

bungle

incite

Correct answer:

scrounge

Explanation:

"Cadge" and "scrounge" both mean to beg. "Antagonize" means to cause a problem or oppose. "Bungle" means to blunder or mess up. "Confound" means to confuse or astonish. "Incite" means to encourage or provoke.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

FEIGN

Possible Answers:

pacify

laud

juxtapose

oscillate

bluff

Correct answer:

bluff

Explanation:

"Feign" and "bluff" both mean to pretend or fake. "Juxtapose" means to place side by side for comparison. "Laud" means to give acclaim or praise. "Oscillate" means to move in a side-to-side motion. "Pacify" means to calm or soothe

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

CAPITULATE

Possible Answers:

censure

callous

disentangle

disdain

concede

Correct answer:

concede

Explanation:

"Capitulate" and "concede" both mean to surrender or give in. "Disdain" means hate or indifference. "Disentangle" means to unwind or disconnect"Callous" means to make cruel or insensitive. "Censure" means to condemn or criticize severely

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