ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #58 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

PANEGYRIC

Possible Answers:

proclivity

odyssey

elegy

rant

probity

Correct answer:

elegy

Explanation:

"Panegyric" and "elegy" both mean praise or warm words. "Rant" means a tirade or yelling. "Probity" means fairness or honesty. "Proclivity" means an inclination or habit. "Odyssey" means a journey or excursion

Example Question #59 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

MAGNANIMITY

Possible Answers:

myriad

chivalry

avarice

maxim

cupidity

Correct answer:

chivalry

Explanation:

"Magnanimity" and "chivalry" both mean generosity. "Avarice" means extreme greed. "Cupiditiy" also means extreme greed or acquisitiveness. "Maxim" means a saying or aphorism. "Myriad" means a lot of something.

Example Question #60 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

CREDENCE

Possible Answers:

Acceptance

Conflagration

Renaissance

Apprehension

Investment

Correct answer:

Acceptance

Explanation:

"Credence" means acceptance or trust, so "acceptance" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "credence": "conflagration" means a large fire; "renaissance" means a rebirth or renewal; "investment" means something given or lent with the expectation of a return; "apprehension" means anxiety or fear

Example Question #61 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

DEMOCRACY

Possible Answers:

egalitarian

monarchy

conundrum

divinity

anarchy

Correct answer:

egalitarian

Explanation:

While "anarchy" and "monarchy" are both types of government, they do not convey the same meaning as "democracy." The word closest in meaning is egalitarian.

Example Question #62 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

NOMENCLATURE

Possible Answers:

Legality

Discontinuation

Termination

Jury

Terminology

Correct answer:

Terminology

Explanation:

The “nomenclature” of a given discipline is the set of terms specific to it. For example, one can speak of the “binomial nomenclature” that is used to describe animal species (e.g. man is homo sapiens). One can thus say that a given “nomenclature” is the set of “terminology” for a discipline. This is the best option among those provided.

Example Question #321 : Synonyms

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

NARRATIVE

Possible Answers:

Storyteller

Relative

Setting

Enumeration

Chronicle

Correct answer:

Chronicle

Explanation:

The word “narrative” comes from the Latin for “to tell” as in “telling a story.” The word “storyteller” is close to this—to “narrator” not “narrative.” Although one might think of the enumeration of things as being a sort of narrative, it is more proper to say that a “chronicle” provides a narrative. A “chronicle” is an account of historical events told as a narrative according to time. The word “chronological,” meaning “related to time” is related to “chronicle.”

Example Question #64 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

MILIEU

Possible Answers:

Ostensive

Martial

Defensive

Environment

Wary

Correct answer:

Environment

Explanation:

The “milieu” of something is the “middle location.” A given “milieu” is the “midst” in an expression like “in the midst.” Therefore, we call a thing or person’s “milieu” his or her environment. For instance, we may speak of the “political milieu” of a given family that has strong ties to political factions, or we may use “milieu” to indicate the general socioeconomic environment in which someone lives.

Example Question #65 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

ALTERCATION

Possible Answers:

Quarrel

Overseer

Organization

Stitching

Modification

Correct answer:

Quarrel

Explanation:

The word altercation comes from the Latin for “to dispute or argue.” It means roughly the same in English. For example, one might say, “After the large altercation between the two men, their friends decided not to invite them to the party, fearing that they would argue in public and disturb the peace of the gathering.”

Example Question #66 : 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.

NOSTALGIA

Possible Answers:

prudence

hardship

remedy

sentimentality

ailment

Correct answer:

sentimentality

Explanation:

"Nostalgia" means sentimentality or a fondness for the past. "Ailment" means an illness or affliction. "Hardship" means a difficulty or personal burden. "Remedy" means a cure or solution. "Prudence" means caution or carefullness

Example Question #67 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

PHILANTHROPY

Possible Answers:

Avarice

Diatribe

Charity

Quiescence

Improvidence

Correct answer:

Charity

Explanation:

"Philanthropy" and "charity" both mean humanitarianism or generosity. "Avarice" means extreme greed. "Quiescence" means inaction or quiet. "Diatribe" means criticism or tirade. "Improvidence" means carelessness or neglect.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors