Identifying Synonyms
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ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning › Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
RELUCTANT
Unwilling
Cantankerous
Enthused
Demonic
Susceptible
Explanation
“Reluctant” means not willing, so "unwilling" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "reluctant": “cantankerous” means grumpy; “enthused” means excited; “demonic” means marked by qualities of the devil or of demons; “susceptible” means vulnerable or in danger from something specific.
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.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
NATURALLY
Genuinely
Temporarily
Angrily
Slyly
Quickly
Explanation
The word "natural" comes from roots related to birth. Something that is "natural" is inborn. Thus, if someone has a naturally happy attitude, that person is happy in an unreflective way. He or she just "is happy"—as though he or she was born that way. The word has taken on the meaning "genuinely" because such a natural disposition is not something that is faked.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
DANDY
Terrific
Useful
Tasteful
Normal
Explanation
One of the meanings of "dandy" is excellent. The best choice is "terrific" because it is a synonym of "excellent."
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.
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
AFFILIATED
Partnered
Separated
Protagonist
Narrator
Antagonist
Explanation
"Affiliated" means connected to or partnered with. To further help, you, the "protagonist" is the hero of the story; the "antagonist" is the villain of the story; "narrator" means storyteller.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
NATURALLY
Genuinely
Temporarily
Angrily
Slyly
Quickly
Explanation
The word "natural" comes from roots related to birth. Something that is "natural" is inborn. Thus, if someone has a naturally happy attitude, that person is happy in an unreflective way. He or she just "is happy"—as though he or she was born that way. The word has taken on the meaning "genuinely" because such a natural disposition is not something that is faked.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ADAPT
Change
Differ
Contrast
Compare
Advance
Explanation
To "adapt" is to "change" as circumstances change. "Advance" is to move forward; "compare" is to look at similarities; and "contrast" is to look at differences.
Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
AUTHENTIC
Genuine
Fraudulent
Flagrant
Striated
Explanation
If an object is "authentic," it actually is what it is supposed to be as opposed to fake. For example, if a dinosaur bone found at a dig site is found to be authentic, then it truly is a dinosaur bone and not a hoax. "Fraudulent" is clearly wrong, since it is synonymous with "fake" and therefore an antonym. "Striated" means striped and "flagrant" means conspicuous or bold, especially when referring to an offense; these words are also improper choices. Our final answer, the correct one, is "genuine," which means real or authentic.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
JOVIAL
Festive
Morose
Melancholy
Solemn
Explanation
If you are unsure what the word in capital letters means, look at the answer choices. You can eliminate any answer choices that are synonyms of one other, because there isn't more than one right answer. "Morose" and "melancholy" both mean sad, so you can eliminate them. "Solemn" can mean serious. "Festive" is the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to "jovial"; both words mean good-humored or merry.