ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms: Nouns for Abstract Concepts

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

MALFUNCTION

Possible Answers:

Latent

Succeed

Obvious 

Lamentable 

Fail 

Correct answer:

Fail 

Explanation:

The prefix "mal-" means bad or wrong and “function” means to work, so something that has “malfunctioned” has stopped working or has failed to work. The closest answer choice is “fail.” To provide further help, “latent” means hidden or potential; “lamentable” means sad and causing sorrow; “obvious” means apparent; “succeed” means to do well, to achieve goals

Example Question #42 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

DICTION

Possible Answers:

Deferential

Narrative

Orator 

Pronunciation

Diffident 

Correct answer:

Pronunciation

Explanation:

The prefix "dict-" means relating to speaking or relating to words, so the word “diction” refers to the way you speak. The best answer choice is “pronunciation.” To provide further help, “deferential” means showing respect; a “narrative” is a story; an “orator” is someone who is talented at public speaking; “diffident” means shy and insecure

Example Question #43 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

PARITY

Possible Answers:

Adjunct 

Pompous 

Congenial 

Extol 

Equality 

Correct answer:

Equality 

Explanation:

The prefix "par-" means equal, as in “par for the course” or “on par with.” The word “parity” is similar in meaning to "equality." To provide further help, “adjunct” means addition; “extol” means praise; “pompous” means arrogant and self-important; “congenial” means friendly, affable.

Example Question #334 : Synonyms

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

LEVITY

Possible Answers:

Brevity

Natal

Solemnity

Moving

Lightheartedness

Correct answer:

Lightheartedness

Explanation:

In general, the word "levity" is related to humor or amusement. Specifically, it refers to joking or carefree happiness that interrupts a more serious mood. "Lighthearted" basically means happy in a way that lacks seriousness, so "lightheartedness" is the correct synonym here. Let's check the other three answer choices. Although it rhymes, "brevity" has nothing to do with levity; it denotes conciseness of language or (more generally) a short duration. "Solemnity" is synonymous with seriousness, so it is an antonym of our original term, and "natal" is an adjective that means associated with birth or newborn babies.

Example Question #335 : Synonyms

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

ONSET

Possible Answers:

Setting

Discovery

Sample

Start

Riot

Correct answer:

Start

Explanation:

The "onset" of something is its start or its beginning, so "start" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "onset": a "sample" is a small amount of something having the characteristics of larger amounts or the whole thing; "discovery" is the act of finding out something new; a "riot" is a violent demonstration or protest; and a "setting" can mean the time period and location in which a story takes place.

Example Question #345 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

INTENT

Possible Answers:

Content

Terror

Wish

Knowledge

Goal

Correct answer:

Goal

Explanation:

"Intent" is a word that when used as a noun means "intention or purpose," and when used as a verb means "resolved or determined to do (something)," "attentive occupied with," or, especially of a look, "showing earnest and eager intention." Because all of the answer choices are nouns, we will need to consider "intent" as a noun and pick out an answer choice that means something like "intention" or "purpose." So, while "content" and "intent" may both contain the syllable "tent," "content" when used as a noun means either "a state of satisfaction" or "the substance or material dealt with in a speech or literary work, as distinct from its form or style." So, "content" does not mean the same thing as "intent" and cannot be the correct answer. "Goal," however, is a noun that can mean "the object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result," and because "goal" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "intent," "goal" is the correct answer.

Example Question #126 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

DISCORD

Possible Answers:

Concord 

Accord 

Agreement 

Harmony 

Conflict 

Correct answer:

Conflict 

Explanation:

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

Example Question #347 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

CORROBORATION

Possible Answers:

Idealism

Contradiction

Contrition

Confirmation

Correct answer:

Confirmation

Explanation:

The word "corroboration" means proof that confirms a given theory or statement is correct; therefore, "confirmation" is the word that most closely matches its definition, as "confirmation" can mean information that confirms something. "Contrition" means guilt, penitence, or regret, so it is is unrelated to the definition of "corroboration." "Idealism," which means the characteristic of chasing unrealistic dreams of perfection, is also unrelated. A "contradiction" occurs when the difference between two things means that both cannot be true. This is almost the opposite of "corroboration."

Example Question #348 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

LUCK

Possible Answers:

Happiness

Cause

Predictability

Fortune

Favor

Correct answer:

Fortune

Explanation:

"Luck" is a noun that means "success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions" or "something regarded as bringing about or portending good or bad things." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that is a noun and means something like "chance." "Predictability" might sound like the correct answer, but if something is predictable, it is not likely to be occurring by chance, so "predictability" cannot be the correct answer. "Fortune," however, is a noun that can mean "chance or luck as an external, arbitrary force affecting human affairs" or "luck, especially good luck," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "luck," "fortune" is the correct answer.

Example Question #44 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

PLIGHT

Possible Answers:

Beverage

Difficulty

Help

Circle

Banquet

Correct answer:

Difficulty

Explanation:

"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.

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