ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #491 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MAGNANIMOUS

Possible Answers:

Stingy

Beneficent

Unforgiving

Particular

Free

Correct answer:

Beneficent

Explanation:

"Magnanimous" is an adjective that means "very generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful than oneself." So, neither "stingy" nor "unforgiving" can be the correct answer because each of those words is an antonym of "demure." "Beneficent," an adjective that means "of a person: generous or doing good" or "resulting in good," is the answer choice closest in meaning to "magnanimous," so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #492 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WANTON

Possible Answers:

Dissolute

Dormant

Civilian

Homely

Reverent

Correct answer:

Dissolute

Explanation:

Because "wanton" means immoral or sexually promiscuous, the best answer choice is "dissolute," which means lax in morals or licentious.

Example Question #493 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HEADSTRONG

Possible Answers:

Yielding

Terrible

Portentous

Meek

Stubborn

Correct answer:

Stubborn

Explanation:

"Headstrong" is an adjective that means "self-willed and obstinate," or "not willing to do what other people want : very stubborn." So, neither "yielding" nor "meek" can be the correct answer because "yielding" and "meek" are both antonyms of "headstrong." "Stubborn" is the closest synonym to "headstrong" amongst the listed answers, so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #494 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HAUGHTY

Possible Answers:

Wealthy

Affluent

Conceited

Overstated

Prosperous

Correct answer:

Conceited

Explanation:

While one might think that “haughty” is related to someone being wealthy, what it generally means is that someone has a “high opinion” of himself or herself. Such a person would judge others as being “beneath” him or her. An adequate description of such a “haughty person” would be “conceited,” which means “being very proud, judging one’s abilities to be great.”

Example Question #495 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LETHARGIC

Possible Answers:

Inert

Idiotic

Vacuous

Worthless

Incapable

Correct answer:

Inert

Explanation:

A person who is “lethargic” lacks energy and does not care much for undertaking any activities. Among the options provided, “inert” is closest to this. In chemistry, you may have spoken of “inert” compounds or elements—those that do not undergo chemical reactions. “Inert” is derived from the combination of “in-,” here used as meaning “not” (as in “indivisible”), and the word for “skill” or “art” in Latin. To be “inert” is therefore to lack skills, arts, or (at least) activities.

Example Question #496 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRUDISH

Possible Answers:

Boring

Censorious

Moral

Honorable

Respectful

Correct answer:

Censorious

Explanation:

A prude is someone who is easily offended about sexual morality, often being judgmental of others. By extension, the term can generally mean “judgmental.” When someone is “censorious,” he or she is very critical—like one who censors the actions of others.

Example Question #497 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PAROCHIAL

Possible Answers:

School

Illiberal

Dying

Educational

Ecclesiastical

Correct answer:

Illiberal

Explanation:

The word “parochial” is related to statutes in the law of the Catholic Church defining the geographic boundaries in which a parish church exists. The word became extended in meaning to signify the character of someone that someone never leaves that small area. If someone becomes limited in travel, that person will likely also be limited in his or her exposure to new ideas. For that reason, the word “parochial” has taken on the additional meaning of “narrow or limited in outlook.” Illiberal can mean “uncultured” in the sense of being “not free-thinking or broad minded.”

Example Question #498 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VITRIOLIC

Possible Answers:

Analytical

Spiteful

Glassy

Unhappy

Evaluative

Correct answer:

Spiteful

Explanation:

The adjective “vitriolic” describes a kind of speech that is critical not in there merely “evaluative” sense but instead in a nasty and spiteful manner. An example use of the word would be, “She did not merely speak mild words to her adversary but instead, in great anger, shouted vitriolic condemnations against him.”

Example Question #499 : Identifying Synonyms

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

THRIFTY

Possible Answers:

Destitute

Greedy

Frugal

Poor

Generous

Correct answer:

Frugal

Explanation:

A thrifty person is very careful not to waste resources. While it might be tempting to assume that such a person is greedy or avaricious, the word only expresses the fact that he or she “pinches pennies,” that is, is very careful with any outlays. Note that someone can be “thrifty” with any resources, though the term is most often used to describe care with regard to money. The word “frugal” is the only option that expresses this notion of thrift.

Example Question #500 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FRUGAL

Possible Answers:

Fecund

Prolific

Miserly

Amiable

Thrifty

Correct answer:

Thrifty

Explanation:

The word “frugal” is related to base words in Latin for “fruit.” It means “being economical” or careful with resources. When someone is “thrifty,” he or she is careful in spending money. A “thrift store” is generally a second-hand store meant to allow people to save money on products that can be purchased at a lower-than-normal price because they are second hand.

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