ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Synonyms

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

MOVE

Possible Answers:

Discuss

Take

Place

Grab

Inspire

Correct answer:

Inspire

Explanation:

Likely, you are thinking of the meaning of "move" as in "to move from one place to another"; however, the word "move" can also be used in several other senses. For this question, the sense is, to inspire, as when we say, "That was a moving discussion." In this example, "moving" means inspiring. Do not be tricked by options like "grab," "take," or "place." All of these have to do with physical locations, but they do not have to do with moving in any immediate sense.

Example Question #52 : Synonyms

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

ENHANCE

Possible Answers:

Exchange

Change

Foist

Magnify

Adjust

Correct answer:

Magnify

Explanation:

You likely use the word "enhance" to mean to improve. For example, you might say, "The new phone was enhanced by many new features;" however, you could also think of such improvement as being a kind of "enlargening" of the quality of the thing in question. Thus, sometimes, people will speak of something that is "enhanced" by becoming bigger. Thus, the word "magnify" can be used as a synonym. You might use "enhanced" in this way when saying, "The new ingredients enhanced the already excellent flavors," and mean, "The new ingredients made the already excellent flavors even more powerful." This is a kind of "magnification," for you can say, "The new ingredients magnified the flavors."

Example Question #53 : Synonyms

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

GRASP

Possible Answers:

Force

Comprehend

Recall

Educate

Push

Correct answer:

Comprehend

Explanation:

Although we use the word "grasp" in a physical sense, it also has a metaphorical meaning that is related to this. When we "grasp an idea," we mean that we understand it. Another way of saying that you understand something is to say that you comprehend it. (This actually means that you really understand it.)  Do not be fooled by options like "shove" and "force."  These do not even match the basic, physical meaning of "grasp."

Example Question #61 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

STUN

Possible Answers:

Amaze

Hit

Arrive

Punch

Slap

Correct answer:

Amaze

Explanation:

When someone is "stunned," he or she is unable to move. Therefore, you might be tempted to pick one of the trap options given to this question. Do not be fooled into thinking that "stun" has to do with hurting someone. Therefore, we need to look for another sense to the word. Well, when someone tells someone something surprising, he or she is said to stun the other person if the other person doesn't know how to react. (The person is indeed stopped and unable to move or think!) Thus, we can stun someone with amazing news.  The verb "amaze" is a good synonym for this reason. When you "amaze" someone, that person is likely unable to respond at first because of his or her surprise.

Example Question #62 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

INTENSE

Possible Answers:

Angry

Attentive

Regular

Passionate

Annoyed

Correct answer:

Passionate

Explanation:

We often use the word "intense" to describe something that is very strong. An intense fire is one that is really hot. Someone can have an "intense personality," meaning that he or she is very passionate. That is the sense of the word being used in the one correct option offered here. Do not be tempted by "angry" or even "attentive." These do not indicate the general sense of strength that is indicated by the term "intensity."

Example Question #63 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

STELLAR

Possible Answers:

Outstanding

Scientific

Visible

Experimental

Elderly

Correct answer:

Outstanding

Explanation:

The word "stellar" comes from the Latin stella, meaning star. Thus, we can use "stellar" to describe things that pertain to space. Thus, "stellar readings" are observations about the stars. We also use the word informally to mean very excellent. We even see this kind of meaning when we say, "He was a music star," meaning that the person was very highly regarded for music skill. Thus, a good synonym for "stellar" is "outstanding."

Example Question #64 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

ORIGINAL

Possible Answers:

Surprising

Creative

Boring

Repetitive

Tedious

Correct answer:

Creative

Explanation:

The word "original" can have several meanings, though they are related. In one sense, we say that the "original running shoe" was the very first shoe of its kind.  To be "original" is to be first—it is to be at the origin or beginning of something. When someone is "creative," he or she makes new things that others have never made before. That is why we can say that an original person is creative. An "original idea" is one that has never been thought of before; therefore, it is likely very creative. This is the only option that expresses some meaning directly related to "original."

Example Question #61 : Synonyms

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

COMPACT

Possible Answers:

Heavy

Agreement

Aware

Beautiful

Pivotal

Correct answer:

Agreement

Explanation:

Be careful on this question! The word "compact" can have two meanings that are pretty different. It can mean dense. Thus, a compact load of laundry is very densely packed. (The option "heavy" is a trick, trying to make you confuse being dense with being heavy.) The other meaning is "agreement." A "compact" is an agreement between two or more people. (Think of the Mayflower Compact that you have perhaps learned about in history class. This was an agreement among the settlers of the Plymouth colony.)

Example Question #62 : Synonyms

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

CENTRAL

Possible Answers:

Sufficient

Plain

Excellent

Aware

Important

Correct answer:

Important

Explanation:

The word "central" can be used to mean in the middle. It can also mean very important. For example, we might say, "She was the central figure in the whole project." This doesn't mean that she merely was in the middle point of the group. She was the most important person involved. (The idea of being central in this sense does come from the general awareness of something being "in the middle" being important often. It is important to see that this involves some changes in meaning.)

Example Question #63 : Synonyms

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

INSPIRING

Possible Answers:

Moral

Surprising

Moving

Laughable

Uncalculated

Correct answer:

Moving

Explanation:

When we are "inspired" by something, that thing makes us feel filled with hope. An inspirational speech makes us want to go and be the best that we can be. In a way, such a speech "moves" us—it moves our emotions at least. The word "moving" can be used to talk about physical movement. It can also be used to mean "inspirational" or something that brings out a person's emotions. It is in this sense that it is the correct answer for this question.

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