ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #301 : Synonyms

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

WINDFALL

Possible Answers:

Trip

Misfortune

Jackpot

Increase

Exhale

Correct answer:

Jackpot

Explanation:

"Windfall' is a noun that is defined as "an unexpected, unearned, or sudden gain or advantage" or "a piece of unexpected good fortune, typically one that involves receiving a large amount of money." While "trip" may sound like a potentially correct answer because "windfall" is created from a combination of the words "wind" and "fall," "windfall" does not mean "to knock something over with wind" or have anything to do with falling, so neither "blow over" nor "trip" can be the correct answer. "Jackpot," a noun meaning "a large cash prize in a game or lottery, esp. one that accumulates until it is won," is the closest synonym to "windfall" amongst the listed answer choices, so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #302 : Synonyms

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

APEX

Possible Answers:

Chaff

Pinnacle

Foremost

Eon

Contempt

Correct answer:

Pinnacle

Explanation:

Since "apex" is a noun that means "the top or highest part of something, especially one forming a point," we need to pick out another noun that means "top." While "foremost" means "most prominent in rank, importance, or position," it is an adjective, and not a noun - it describes something at the top, not the top itself, so it can't be the right answer. "Pinnacle," however, means "a high, pointed piece of rock" or "the most successful point; the culmination," and since it is closest in meaning to "apex," it is the right answer.

Example Question #303 : Synonyms

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

EMINENCE

Possible Answers:

Predetermined

Prestige

Dynamism

Permeability

Inferiority

Correct answer:

Prestige

Explanation:

Eminence often refers to royalty, and means dominance or superiority—in this case, "prestige," which also means superiority or power, is the best synonym.

Example Question #304 : Synonyms

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

VIM

Possible Answers:

Opinion

Generosity

Energy

Tendency

Boredom

Correct answer:

Energy

Explanation:

"Vim" is a noun defined as "robust energy and enthusiasm." So, "boredom" cannot be the correct answer because it is an antonym of "vim." "Energy" is the closest synonym to "vim" amongst the listed answer choices, so "energy" is the correct answer.

Example Question #305 : Synonyms

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

BLUNDER

Possible Answers:

Stumble

Error

Slice

Fool

Condemn

Correct answer:

Error

Explanation:

A "blunder” is a mistake that is often foolish. For this reason, we often imply a number of other secondary meanings when we use the term. For instance, we think of things like “a blundering fool.” While this is fine, the general point is that a blunder is a mistake; therefore, the best option here is “error.”

Example Question #306 : Synonyms

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

KERFUFFLE

Possible Answers:

Disagreement

Fluff

Ignition

Ruin

Material

Correct answer:

Disagreement

Explanation:

"Kerfuffle" is a noun and is another word for a disagreement or fight. The best choice here is "disagreement" because it shares the same meaningConsidering the other choices, the word "ignition" means the act of setting something on fire or the act of starting an engine. "Fluff" means light, soft particles, and "ruin," when used as a noun, means a state of decay or disrepair.

Example Question #307 : Synonyms

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

RITE

Possible Answers:

Ceremony

Ability

Wrong

Correct

Same

Correct answer:

Ceremony

Explanation:

The word "rite" is a noun that means a ceremonial act. "Ceremony" is the best choice because it is related to the word rite, meaning a formal observance. Considering the other choices, "wrong" is an adjective that means not correct, "correct" means true, and "same" means identical.

Example Question #308 : Synonyms

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

SCHTICK

Possible Answers:

Insult

Stream

Act

Staff

Prologue

Correct answer:

Act

Explanation:

A "schtick" (also spelled "shtick") is a routine or act done to gain a laugh or draw attention to oneself. The best choice here is "act," since it is a part of the definition of "schtick." Considering the other choices, "staff" means a group of people charged with carrying out the work of a particular establishment or a rod used to support one's weight when walking, "stream" means a flowing body of water or liquid, "insult" means a statement that offends, and "prologue" means a distinct introductory section in a literary work.

Example Question #309 : Synonyms

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

TRUCE

Possible Answers:

Armor

Battlefield

Armistice

Honesty

Scroll

Correct answer:

Armistice

Explanation:

A "truce" is an agreement to delay fighting for a set period of time. "Armistice," which shares the same meaning, is therefore the best choice. Considering the other choices, "armor" is any item warn for protection in a fight, "honesty" means truthfulness, "battlefield" is the area in which a battle takes place, and a "scroll" is a rolled up piece of paper or parchment either written on or able to be written on.

Example Question #310 : Synonyms

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

IDIOSYNCRASY

Possible Answers:

Defection

Peculiarity

Authority

Foreshadowing

Vagrant

Correct answer:

Peculiarity

Explanation:

An "idiosyncrasy" is a manner of behavior unique to one person, or a “peculiarity.” “Defection” is the act of deserting one’s country or party in favor of the direct opponent or desertion; “authority” means power or the person or entity who is in charge; “foreshadowing” means an act of warning of something that will happen in the future; a “vagrant” is a tramp or someone who wanders from place to place begging to survive.

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