ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

MYRIAD

Possible Answers:

Portrait

Overabundance

Pyramid

Structure

Innumerable

Correct answer:

Innumerable

Explanation:

The word “myriad” is derived from the Greek for "10,000." In general, it is used to describe a countless multitude of things. For that reason, the best option among the provided answers is “innumerable.” An example usage would be, “Roger wished to do something so foolish that his friends were able to provide him with myriad reasons, overwhelming him with reasons for making such a stupid choice.”

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

PLATITUDINOUS

Possible Answers:

Annoying

Unhelpful

Tedious

Boring

Overused

Correct answer:

Overused

Explanation:

You might be more familiar with the word “platitude” than with “platitudinous.” The former is the related noun form of the same base. A “platitude” is an expression, often moral in nature, that has been so overused that it has lost its meaning. You might know someone who recites such expressions as, “Everything happens for a reason.” Such remarks either tell you nothing or often just frustrate you when horrible things happen. They provide little consolation or direction. Although a “platitudinous” expression could be called “annoying,” it is most properly said to be something “overused.” The annoyance follows on the fact that overuse has totally shorn it of its meaning and significance.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

REPLETE

Possible Answers:

Evanescent

Scant

Disingenuous

Abounding

Pugnacious

Correct answer:

Abounding

Explanation:

"Replete" and "abounding" both mean full or well-stocked. "Scant" means meager or paltry. "Disingenuous" means insincere or deceitful. "Evanescent" means transient or brief. "Pugnacious" means belligerent or aggressive.

Example Question #701 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AESTHETIC

Possible Answers:

disciplined

sanitary

attractive

affluent

Correct answer:

attractive

Explanation:

"Aesthetic" describes something having to do with beauty. Be careful not to confuse it with similar sounding words like "ascetic" (harshly disciplined) or "aseptic" (sanitary).

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

TAWDRY

Possible Answers:

sophisticated

nebulous

taciturn

tacky

urbane

Correct answer:

tacky

Explanation:

"Tawdry" and "tacky" both mean cheap or tasteless. "Sophisticated" means refined or elegant. "Nebulous" means confused or obscure. "Taciturn" means uncommnicative. "Urbane" means cosmopolitan or sophisticated

Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

TEPID

Possible Answers:

Halfhearted

Frigid

Downcast

Enthusiastic

Awe-inspiring

Correct answer:

Halfhearted

Explanation:

"Tepid" takes on one of its two meanings in this question. "Tepid" can mean lukewarm, but it can also mean halfhearted or indifferent. This question uses the secondary meaning of tepid and the best answer choice is halfhearted.

Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

EDIFYING

Possible Answers:

Spurning

Improving

Amazing

Decreeing

Defying

Correct answer:

Improving

Explanation:

The word “edifying” is related to the English “edifice,” meaning building. Most strictly, “to edify” means to improve someone intellectually or morally. It is often used in the sense of “improvement” in general, though this is a secondary usage. Bearing this qualification in mind, “improving” is still the best option among those given. One can speak of “edification” when describing the instruction itself, as in, “He provided edification to the young man in order to improve his moral behavior.”

Example Question #18 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

GARISH

Possible Answers:

Gaudy

Rare

Modest

Succulent

Warlike

Correct answer:

Gaudy

Explanation:

Something that is "garish" is excessively and crudely showy. "Gaudy" carries the same sense of being tastelessly flashy. "Modest" is an antonym.

Example Question #19 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

BENIGN

Possible Answers:

Detrimental

Thrilled

Mild

Severe

Aloof

Correct answer:

Mild

Explanation:

If something is benign such as the weather, it indicates that it is mild.  In the case of weather, benign conditions are the opposite of inclement weather.

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

WRETCHED

Possible Answers:

Queasy

Willful

Deplorable

Wary

Reassuring

Correct answer:

Deplorable

Explanation:

"Wretched" and "deplorable" both mean terrible or miserable. "Reassuring" means bolstering or cheerful. "Willful" means stubborn or obstinate. "Wary" means careful or cautious. "Queasy" means uncomfortable or fidgety.

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