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 #132 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

OXYMORON

Possible Answers:

Contradiction

Citation

Allusion

Rambling

Juxtaposition

Correct answer:

Contradiction

Explanation:

"Oxymoron" is a noun defined as "a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction." While both "contradiction" and "juxtaposition" involve combinations of things, "juxtaposition" means "the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect." So, a juxtaposition of things creates a contrasting, but not necessarily contradictory, effect. The best answer is "contradiction," because an "oxymoron" is specifically defined as being made up of "apparently contradictory terms."

Example Question #133 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

PARADIGM

Possible Answers:

Mixture

Archetype

Paradox

Collateral

Emotion

Correct answer:

Archetype

Explanation:

"Paradigm" is a noun that can "a typical example or pattern of something; a model" or "a worldview underlying the theories and methodology of a particular scientific subject." So, we need to pick out a noun that means something like "a typical example of something" or "a worldview." While "paradox" and "paradigm" both begin with the root "para," "paradox" is a noun that can mean "a statement or proposition that, despite sound (or apparently sound) reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically unacceptable, or self-contradictory" or "a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true." So, because "paradox" does not mean the same thing as "paradigm," it cannot be the correct answer. "Archetype," however, is a noun that means "a very typical example of a certain person or thing," and because "archetype" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "paradigm," "archetype" is the correct answer.

Example Question #140 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

DIFFIDENCE

Possible Answers:

Fortune

Haughtiness

Shyness

Guile

Misery

Correct answer:

Shyness

Explanation:

“Diffidence” is an opposite of "confidence" and means "shyness." As for the other answer choices, “misery” is great sadness; “haughtiness” is arrogance; “guile” is sly and cunning intelligence; and "fortune" is luck, whereas a "fortune" is a great sum of money belonging to one person or family.

Example Question #141 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

ANGST

Possible Answers:

Depression

Anxiety

Crisis

Adolescence

Solution

Correct answer:

Anxiety

Explanation:

“Angst” is a feeling of anxiety and discomfort. It is often associated with teenagers, or in other words, those going through "adolescence." As for the other answer choices, “crisis” means emergency or disaster; a "solution" can mean a solvent in which a solute has been dissolved or the way in which a problem is thought to be able to be solved; and "depression" is strong, persistent sadness or the medical condition from which such emotions can arise.

Example Question #142 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AMITY

Possible Answers:

Hatred

Friendship

Depravity

Peace

Rivalry

Correct answer:

Friendship

Explanation:

“Amity” means friendly or loving relationship, so "friendship" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “depravity” means immorality or lewd behavior; and “rivalry” is intense competition with one group or person.

Example Question #143 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PINNACLE

Possible Answers:

Valley

Torrent

Peak

Thunder

Mountain

Correct answer:

Peak

Explanation:

The “pinnacle” is the high point of something, usually an achievement, or a "peak." As for the other answer choices, a “valley” is a low area of land between mountains; “torrent” means flood or outpouring

Example Question #144 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FABRICATION

Possible Answers:

Falsehood

Misconception

Candor

Quilt

Question

Correct answer:

Falsehood

Explanation:

A “fabrication” is a falsehood or a "lie." As for the other answer choices, “candor” is frank honesty; a “misconception” is something false that is believed or something understood incorrectly; a "quilt" is a bed covering made of squares of fabric sewn together over batting; and a "question" is a query.

Example Question #142 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FATUITY

Possible Answers:

Thoroughness

Foolishness

Flabbiness

Bulkiness

Decadence

Correct answer:

Foolishness

Explanation:

The word "fatuous" comes from the Latin word for foolish or stupid. "Fatuity" describes the general state of being "fatuous." That is, it describes "foolishness." Thus, we could say, "The discussion was fatuous on the whole, and Socrates thought most of it to be a waste of time." As for "fatuity", we could say, "The arrogant professor thought almost all normal discussions were matters of fatuity compared to his important research work." Note, "fatuity" should not be interpreted as having something to do with being "fat." This word comes from very different roots.

Example Question #146 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FLUCTUATE

Possible Answers:

Form

Alter

Return

Ventilate

Respond

Correct answer:

Alter

Explanation:

The word "fluctuate" comes from Latin roots meaning wave or to make a wave-like motion. Thus, when something fluctuates, it continually changes. Thus, a fluctuating position is one that moves from place to place, and someone's weight fluctuates when it increases and decreases variously. The word broadly means, thus, to change. The only option that directly corresponds to this meaning is "alter." To "alter" something is to make it become different.

Example Question #147 : Identifying Synonyms

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

JEOPARDY

Possible Answers:

Affluent

Peril

Amazing

Thriving

Exciting

Correct answer:

Peril

Explanation:

When something is "in jeopardy," it is at risk. Therefore, the best synonym for "jeopardy" is "peril." Something is also at risk when it is "in peril" or "imperiled." The two options "exciting" and "amazing" might be tempting. Risky things are often exciting or amazing; however "excitement" is not a direct synonym for "jeopardy" itself.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors