All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #31 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GARB
Clothing
Lamentations
Limitations
Plaudits
Possessions
Clothing
“Garb” is another word for garments or "clothing," often referring to a specific set of clothes used for a particular purpose or when one takes on a particular role. As for the other answer choices, “possessions” are things that are owned; “limitations” are restrictions or things that hold people back; “plaudits” are congratulations or praise; “lamentations” are spoken acts of mourning.
Example Question #32 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MALADY
Ailment
Detention
Antecedent
Catalyst
Inspiration
Ailment
A “malady” is a disease, sickness, or "ailment." As for the other answer choices, “detention” means the act of being punished or imprisoned by being placed in custody or this state of imprisonment; a “catalyst” is something that provides impetus for or helps start a reaction or an event; “inspiration” means motivation or something that causes someone to act willingly; “antecedent” means precursor, forerunner, or a thing that comes before another thing.
Example Question #33 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HAZARD
Option
Toxic
Terror
Risk
Carcinogenic
Risk
When used as a noun, the word "hazard" is used to describe something that is dangerous. The adjectival form "hazardous" is often used to describe various things that are dangerous—hazardous roads, hazardous traffic, hazardous waste, and so forth. Among the options given here, most of them are somehow related to hazardous things. If something is dangerous, it is likely a terror. Likewise, a toxic thing is hazardous, as is a carcinogenic (i.e. cancer-causing) thing, but a "hazard" is simply a dangerous thing. Thus, the general word "risk" is the best option for this question.
Example Question #34 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
WRIT
Polyglot
Hiatus
Kowtow
Heroine
Order
Order
A "writ" is a legal command, an order to appear before court. The closest answer therefore is "order." To provide further help, a "heroine" is a female hero; "hiatus" means break, rest period; "kowtow" means to bow, to defer to another; a "polyglot" is a speaker of multiple languages.
Example Question #35 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRECEPT
Bastion
Stronghold
Rule
Gala
Festival
Rule
A "precept" is a rule or principle meant to govern behavior. To provide further help, "bastion" and "stronghold" are synonyms; both words mean an institution that upholds a dying ideal. "Gala" means festival.
Example Question #36 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ADJUNCT
Supporting
Hubris
Disconsolate
Penitent
Dismissive
Supporting
An "adjunct" is a thing added to something to be supportive or complementary. The closest answer choice is "supportive." To provide further help, "disconsolate" means unable to be consoled, unable to be comforted; "dismissive" means ignoring, not taking something into account; "hubris" is excessive pride; "penitent" means remorseful, seeking forgiveness from God.
Example Question #37 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SYMPOSIUM
Trial
Puzzle
Agreement
Meeting
Savage
Meeting
A "symposium" is a meeting. Usually it is a business conference, or a meeting to discuss a particular idea. A "trial" is a judicial event specifically designed to assess guilt or innocence, while a symposium has no such goal. While an "agreement" may be reached at a "symposium" the two words are not synonymous.
Example Question #38 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GALA
Festival
Editorial
Vehicle
Bulletin
Vocation
Festival
A "gala" is a festival, a party, a formal occasion with entertainment and socializing. To provide further help, a "vocation" is a job; a "bulletin" is a posted public announcement; an "editorial" is an article in a newspaper in which the author expresses his or her opinion.
Example Question #39 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PANEGYRIC
Hiatus
Creed
Connoisseur
Tenet
Eulogy
Eulogy
"Panegyric" means a public speech praising someone, a tribute or eulogy. To provide further help, "tenet" and "creed" are synonyms; both words mean a fundamental part of a belief system; a "hiatus" is a break from something; a "connoisseur" is an expert.
Example Question #40 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ASPIRATION
Hazard
Mirage
Goal
Inspiration
Forte
Goal
An "aspiration" is a goal, a target, something you aspire too. To provide further help, a "hazard" is a danger; a "mirage" is an illusion; a "forte" is someone's strong suit; an "aspersion" is a verbal attack on someone.