ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

FALLACY

Possible Answers:

evidence

question

deception

policy

non-fiction

Correct answer:

deception

Explanation:

We are looking for a word that is close in meaning to a lie. The word that is closest in meaning to that is "deception."

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

VIRULENCE

Possible Answers:

disdain

pestilence

ailment

resentment

precursor

Correct answer:

resentment

Explanation:

"Virulence" means resentment or annoyance. "Ailment" means illness or affliction. "Pestilence" means epidemic or disease. "Precursor" means something that indicates outcome before an event occurs. "Disdain" means strong dislike or indifference

Example Question #43 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

PENURY

Possible Answers:

precipice

fledgling

destitution

philanthropy

efficacy

Correct answer:

destitution

Explanation:

"Penury" means destitution or poverty"Precipice" means a cliff or steep drop. "Philanthropy" means charity or generosity. "Fledgling" means an apprentice or newcomer. "Efficacy" means efficiency or productivity

Example Question #51 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CHAFF

Possible Answers:

scrape

enmity

refuse

barge

Correct answer:

refuse

Explanation:

A well-known idiom speaks of "separating the wheat from the chaff"—that is, separating out that which has value from that which is worthless. In a literal sense, "chaff" can describe the protective casing around a seed that is burned up once the seed has been removed. More commonly the word is used to describe anything that is useless and expendable. Be careful to to confuse "chaff" with "chafe" (damage by rubbing). Also keep in mind that "refuse" here is the noun (pronounced REF-yoos) that means garbage—not the more-familiar verb (pronounced ri-FYOOZ) that means to turn down an offer.

Example Question #52 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ZEAL

Possible Answers:

leviathan

tirade

apathy

lethargy

fervor

Correct answer:

fervor

Explanation:

"Zeal" and "fervor" both mean enthusiasm or devotion. "Apathy" means an uncaring attitude or lack of interest. "Lethargy" means laziness or sluggishness. "Tirade" means abuse or outburst. "Leviathan" means colossus or behemoth.

Example Question #53 : Identifying Synonyms

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

REPROOF

Possible Answers:

implication

guile

elegy

turpitude

censure

Correct answer:

censure

Explanation:

"Reproof" and "censure" both mean blame or criticism. "Elegy" means dirge or lament. "Turpitude" means corruption or debauchery. "Implication" means association or suggestion. "Guile" means slyness or cleverness

Example Question #54 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PECCADILLO

Possible Answers:

impropriety

zenith

remedy

skepticism

transient

Correct answer:

impropriety

Explanation:

"Peccadillo" and "impropriety" both mean a small fault or misdemeanor. "Zenith" means the highest point or apex. "Transient" means something temporary or ephemeral. "Skepticism" means doubt or questioning. "Remedy" means a cure or solution

Example Question #55 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TIRADE

Possible Answers:

transient

tangent

adulation

harangue

endorsement

Correct answer:

harangue

Explanation:

"Tirade" and "harangue" both mean an angry outburst. "Adulation" means overenthusiastic praise. "Endorsement" means support or authorization. "Transient" means something temporary or fleeting. "Tangent" means something touching or related.

Example Question #56 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ENCOMIUM

Possible Answers:

epitome

censure

dictum

blasphemy

accolade

Correct answer:

accolade

Explanation:

"Encomium" and "accolade" both mean warm praise. "Censure" means severe criticism or condemnation. "Blasphemy" means irreverence or heresy. "Dictum" means a saying or proverb. "Epitome" means a perfect example or abbreviation.

Example Question #57 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ASPERSION

Possible Answers:

defamation

adulation

alacrity

commendation

belligerence

Correct answer:

defamation

Explanation:

"Aspersion" and "defamation" both mean libel or slander. "Adulation" means overenthusiastic praise. "Commendation" means praise or acclaim. "Alacrity" means alertness or liveliness. "Belligerence" means a fight or aggression.

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