ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #251 : Synonyms

Edifice most nearly means __________.

Possible Answers:

restaurant

building

resolve

delicatessen

resolution

Correct answer:

building

Explanation:

The word “edifice” comes from Latin roots either literally meaning “building” or also “to make a building.” When we “edify” someone, we “build them up” or improve them. The best option is the very general term “building” and none of the more specific building types mentioned.

Example Question #251 : Synonyms

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

TERMINAL

Possible Answers:

Diagnosis

Prognostication

End

Disease

Sickness

Correct answer:

End

Explanation:

Often, we speak of a “terminal illness,” and several of the wrong answers are meant to tempt you into thinking choosing them because of this association. What is meant when we so call an illness is that it is going to lead to the end of life of the person diagnosed. The “term” of something is its “end” in the sense of being the very last point with regard to that thing (the end of life, the end of a stick, etc).

Example Question #252 : Synonyms

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

ARRAY

Possible Answers:

Distraction

Frenzy

Perjury

Assortment

Mishap

Correct answer:

Assortment

Explanation:

An “array” is an assortment of many different types of things, so "assortment" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, a “distraction” is something that takes your attention away from whatever you are focused on; “perjury” is the act of lying under oath in court; a "mishap” is something minor that goes wrong; and a "frenzy" is a brief span of intense emotion or activity.

Example Question #251 : Synonyms

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

GARB

Possible Answers:

Limitations

Possessions

Lamentations

Plaudits

Clothing

Correct answer:

Clothing

Explanation:

“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 #253 : Synonyms

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

MALADY

Possible Answers:

Catalyst

Ailment

Inspiration

Antecedent

Detention

Correct answer:

Ailment

Explanation:

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 #254 : Synonyms

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

HAZARD

Possible Answers:

Carcinogenic

Option

Toxic

Risk

Terror

Correct answer:

Risk

Explanation:

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 #255 : Synonyms

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

WRIT

Possible Answers:

Polyglot

Heroine

Kowtow

Hiatus

Order

Correct answer:

Order

Explanation:

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 #256 : Synonyms

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

PRECEPT

Possible Answers:

Festival

Stronghold

Gala

Bastion

Rule

Correct answer:

Rule

Explanation:

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 #257 : Synonyms

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

ADJUNCT

Possible Answers:

Disconsolate

Supporting

Penitent

Dismissive

Hubris

Correct answer:

Supporting

Explanation:

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 #258 : Synonyms

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

SYMPOSIUM

Possible Answers:

Trial

Puzzle

Savage

Agreement

Meeting

Correct answer:

Meeting

Explanation:

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.

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