Identifying Synonyms

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ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning › Identifying Synonyms

Questions 1 - 10
1

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.

2

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.

3

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.

4

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."

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

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.

7

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.

8

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.

9

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.

10

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.

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