Synonyms: Nouns for Abstract Concepts - ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning

If someone is living in squalor, they are living in misery and unpleasantness; this is often due to a lack of financial resources.

"Phobia" is a noun that means a strong fear of something particular, so we need to pick out an answer choice that is also a noun and means something like an extreme fear. While "displeasure" may look like a potentially correct answer because a phobia might give one displeasure, "displeasure" does not mean the same thing as "phobia," so it cannot be the correct answer. Because "fear" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "phobia," "fear" is the correct answer.

"Alias," when used as a noun, means "a false or assumed identity." The word can also be used as an adverb "used to indicate that a named person is also known or more familiar under another specified name." (The adverb functions in the same way as the phrase "also know as," but is specifically used to discuss real and assumed names.) So, we need to pick out an answer choice that has to do with names, specifically, with fake or assumed names. Since "fake name" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "alias," it is the correct answer.

The magnitude of an object or person refers to their size and often suggests vastness.

"Mischief" is a noun that means "playful misbehavior or troublemaking, especially in children," or "harm or trouble caused by someone or something." So, while "mistake" may look like a good answer choice because both "mischief" and "mistake" begin with the prefix "mis-", which means "wrongly," "mistake" does not mean the same thing as "mischief," so "mistake" cannot be the correct answer. "Trouble" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "mischief," so "trouble" is the correct answer.

"Tempo" is a noun that means either pace, often specifically the pace of music. While "quick" and "slow" may describe different speeds, neither word means the same thing as "tempo," and while "music" may proceed at a certain tempo, "music" does not mean "tempo" either. "Pace," however, is a noun that means speed or rate, and because "pace" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "tempo," "pace" is the correct answer.

"Perseverance" is a noun that means "steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success." While "bravery" might look like a potentially correct answer, because someone who is brave might also demonstrate perseverance, "bravery" does not mean "perseverance," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Persistence," however, is a noun that means either "firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition" or "the continued or prolonged existence of something." Because "persistence" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "perseverance," it is the correct answer.

If there is pandemonium, it means there is a high level of commotion or chaos.

"Allegiance" is a noun that means "loyalty or commitment of a subordinate to a superior or of an individual to a group or cause." That means that "rebellion" can't be the correct answer, because "rebellion" means "an act of violent or open resistance to an established government or ruler" or "the action or process of resisting authority, control, or convention," so "rebellion" is an antonym of "allegiance." "Loyalty," however, is a noun that means "the quality of being loyal to someone or something," so "loyalty" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "allegiance."

"Agony" is a noun that means "extreme mental or physical pain." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "extreme pain." That means that "comfort" can't be the correct answer, because "comfort" means "a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint" or "consolation for grief or anxiety." So, "comfort" is an antonym of "agony." "Torment," however, is a word that when used as a noun means "severe physical or mental suffering" or "a cause of such suffering," so "torment" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "torment."

The correct answer is "distress," which means anguish or suffering. "Misery" is a negative feeling, and "calmness," "joy," and "pleasure" are all emotions with positive connotations.

Another word for "philanthropy" is "charity." Both words mean generosity in donating things or money to people who need them. "Charity" is the best choice because it is a synonym of "philanthropy."

The correct answer is "plan." A "strategy" is a plan of action. The other words do not mean anything like "plan."

When someone has remorse, they have regret for a wrongdoing.

A "duration" is a length of time. For example, one might say, "The internet connections were shaky for the duration of the thunderstorm."

"Plight" means a dangerous situation or a predicament, so "difficulty," which can be used to mean a difficult situation, is the correct answer. To help you, a "beverage" is a drink, and a "banquet" is a feast.

Liberty means freedom, the right to do whatever you like. To further help you, a narrator is a storyteller; guardian means defender; an oasis is a body of water in the middle of the desert; protection means defense.

Dogma means a set of rigid beliefs or ideas. To further help you, debate means argue; vivid means colorful and evocative; comprehend means understand.

"Compassion" means sympathy or kindness, so "kindness" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "compassion": "vulnerable" and "susceptible" are synonyms that both mean in danger from something specific; "implacable" means unstoppable or merciless; and "frivolous" means wasteful or not needed.

Discord means disagreement or conflict. To further help you, harmony, accord, and concord are all synonyms and mean agreement.