ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #601 : Synonyms

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

RESCIND

Possible Answers:

Order

Inspect

Placate

Contend

Cancel

Correct answer:

Cancel

Explanation:

To "rescind" something means to repeal, to cancel. To provide further help, "contend" means to argue something is the truth; "placate" means sooth, calm

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ALLURING

Possible Answers:

Deliberate

Unstable

Concerning

Responsible

Cute

Correct answer:

Cute

Explanation:

"Alluring" is an adjective that means beautiful or attractive. The best choice is "cute," since it means attractive. Considering the other choices, "concerning" means causing worry, "unstable" means constantly changing states of being, "responsible" means able to be relied upon to complete tasks, and "deliberate" means done on purpose or working carefully.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

DULCET

Possible Answers:

Simple

Ambiguous

Delicious

Soft

Mellifluous

Correct answer:

Mellifluous

Explanation:

The word "dulcet" is an adjective that means sweet and calming and is used to describe sounds and music. The best choice is the word "mellifluous," as it means sweet-sounding. Considering the other choices, "simple" means not complicated, "delicious" mean tasting very good, "soft" means having a fuzzy texture, and "ambiguous" means having multiple ways in which the meaning of something could be interpreted.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

PALPABLE

Possible Answers:

Tangible

Explicable

Repressible

Invulnerable

Malleable

Correct answer:

Tangible

Explanation:

“Palpable” means able to be felt or sensed. This is very similar to “tangible,” which means able to be touched. As for the incorrect answer choices, “explicable” means able to be explained; “invulnerable" means not open to being attacked or damaged; “repressible” means able to be repressed or hidden; and “malleable” means able to be manipulated or able to be changed and molded.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

GAUDY

Possible Answers:

Colorful

Awful

Shameful

Suspenseful

Meaningful

Correct answer:

Colorful

Explanation:

“Gaudy” means bright and colorful, although it is usually used in a negative way to suggest something is so uncomfortably bright and colorful as to be tasteless. So, "colorful" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “shameful” means embarassing or causing shame; “meaningful” means important, significant, or containing meaning; “suspenseful” means causing anxiety due to not knowing what will happen; and “awful” means terrible. (Note how the suffix "-ful" generally means full of.)

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

GARISH

Possible Answers:

Furtive

Essential

Fruitless

Tasteless

Implacable

Correct answer:

Tasteless

Explanation:

“Garish” means tastelessly showy and flashy and thus not having good taste. Thus, "tasteless" is the best synonym amongst the given answer choices. As for the other answer choices, “furtive” means secretive or trying to avoid notice; “implacable” means unable to be appeased; “fruitless” means completely unsuccessful; and “essential” means necessary.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

GOSSAMER

Possible Answers:

Opaque

Assiduous

Abrogate

Brusque

Translucent

Correct answer:

Translucent

Explanation:

"Gossamer" and "translucent" both mean luminous or see-through. "Opaque" means clouded or muddy. "Brusque" means curt or surly. "Assiduous" means hard-working or diligent. "Abrogate" means to formally put an end to

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

OSSIFIED

Possible Answers:

Pliable

Prodigal

Tortuous

Nefarious

Petrified

Correct answer:

Petrified

Explanation:

"Ossified" and "petrified" both mean hardened or bony. "Pliable" means bendable or adaptable. "Nefarious" means heinous or sinful. "Prodigal" means wasteful or reckless. "Tortuous" means twisted or complicated.

Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

UNCTUOUS

Possible Answers:

oleaginous

blunt

ingratiating

tendentious

tortuous

Correct answer:

oleaginous

Explanation:

"Unctuous" and "oleaginous" both mean oily or slick. "Blunt" means straightforward or candid. "Ingratiating" means fawning or servile. "Tendentious" means biased or prejudicial. "Tortuous" means twisted or complicated

Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

SINEWY

Possible Answers:

brawny

personable

germinal

mutinous

irksome

Correct answer:

brawny

Explanation:

"Sinewy" and "brawny" both mean tough or stringy. "Germinal" means budding or initial. "Irksome" means annoying or irritating. "Mutinous" means rebellious or defiant. "Personable" means friendly or sociable

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