Synonyms

Help Questions

ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

FREQUENT

Often

Jealous

Usually

Burrow

Modest

Explanation

"Frequent" means happening again and again with little time in between events. Anorther word for "frequent" is often, so "often" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, "jealous" means envious or wanting what someone else has, "usually" means under normal circumstances, a "burrow" is a hole in the ground that certain animals dig and live in, and to "burrow" means to dig a hole in the ground, and "modest" means not taking as much credit as one should for one's achievements or talent.

2

Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

PORTER

doorman

waiter

driver

guard

protector

Explanation

The prefix or root word "port-" means related to moving or transporting, so a “porter” is another name for a _“_doorman.” For example, the person who collects your bags and holds the door for you at a hotel is considered a "porter." To provide further help, a “protector” is someone who defends someone else.

3

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

DELECTABLE

Delicious

Unpalatable

Disgusting

Putrid

Explanation

"Delectable" and "delicious" are synonyms, each meaning pleasant-tasting. "Unpalatable," "disgusting," and "putrid" are antonyms, or opposites, of "delectable" and "delicious."

4

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

EDIBLE

Digestible

Delicious

Nutritious

Decadent

Explanation

The correct answer is "digestible." "Edible" and "digestible" both mean able to be eaten. The other words have to do with food, but do not have to do with the ability of something to be eaten.

5

Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

MISPLACED

Lost

Limpid

Morose

Searched

Supreme

Explanation

The prefix "mis-" means done wrong or badly, so something that has been “misplaced” has been placed incorrectly. This is closest in meaning to “lost.” To provide further help, “limpid” means clear; “morose” means very sad and serious; “supreme” means best or highest; “searched” means looked for.

6

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

ENLIGHTENING

Informative

Scholarly

Lunar

Polar

Grammatical

Explanation

The word "enlightening" comes from the word light, but it is used in a metaphorical sense. It means making something understandable. Think of when we say, "That was an enlightening explanation."It is like the explanation "shines" and makes its topic obvious. The best option for this is "informative," for informative things or actions help to explain something else.

7

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

HECTIC

Busy

Solitary

Determined

Radiant

Surprised

Explanation

To have a "hectic" schedule is to have an extremely busy one, so "busy" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, none are close in meaning to "hectic": "solitary" means alone; "radiant" means glowing; "surprised" means astounded or shocked; and "determined" means firmly decided on something.

8

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

VACANT

Empty

Full

Meaningful

Insignificant

Quirky

Explanation

_"_Vacant” means empty or unoccupied, so "empty" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “meaningful” means important and significant; “insignificant” means not important; “quirky” means unconventional.

9

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

CONSPICUOUS

Visible

Famous

Renowned

Excellent

Forgotten

Explanation

The word "conspicuous" has a root that you might not see at first. The "-spic-" is related to the "spec-" that we find in "spectator" and "spectacle." A "spectator" is someone who watches an event (perhaps a sports game). A "spectacle" is something very visible—a massive event, so large that it is very visible. Likewise, "spectacles" are glasses that someone wears—things helping you to see. When something is "conspicuous," it is not at all hidden. The "con-" prefix does not mean with or among like it does in other words. Here, it merely means very. Something "conspicuous" is very visible. Among our options, however, "visible" is the only appropriate answer. This is a fine synonym, given the other answers.

Note that while something "conspicuous" could become famous (since it is so easily seen), the word "conspicuous" does not itself designate such fame. It merely deals with being able to be seen.

10

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

CONFUSED

Puzzled

Inconsistent

Contrite

Enabled

Explanation

"Confused" is defined as unable to think clearly; bewildered. Since "puzzled" is defined as to feel confused due to a lack of understanding, "puzzled" is the best answer choice.

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