ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #101 : Identifying Synonyms

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

APPAREL

Possible Answers:

Selection

Clothing

Satisfaction

University

Result

Correct answer:

Clothing

Explanation:

"Apparel" means clothing or something you wear, so "clothing" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "apparel": "satisfaction" means the fulfillment of one's goals or expectations; "selection" is the act of choosing something; a "university" is a place of higher learning; and a "result" is the final outcome of something.

Example Question #102 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SPECK

Possible Answers:

Weight

Fleck

Surge

Tract

Correct answer:

Fleck

Explanation:

"Speck" is a noun that means a tiny spot or particle. The only answer choice that has a similar definition is "fleck," meaning a very small particle or patch of light. One definition of "weight" is a heavy object. A "surge" can refer to a sudden powerful movement. A "tract" can mean a large area.

Example Question #103 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ANTIBIOTIC

Possible Answers:

Hospital 

Doctor 

Medicine 

Virus 

Nurse 

Correct answer:

Medicine 

Explanation:

An “antibiotic” is a substance that kills bacteria and so is used as medicine. The prefix "anti-" means against or negating something, and the suffix "-biotic" means having to do with life, in this case, bacteria. Along with “viruses,” “bacteria” are the primary agents by which disease is spread. However, it is worth nothing that there are a great many number of bacteria in our bodies that help us a great deal.

Example Question #104 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MOTORCADE

Possible Answers:

Abyss 

Barrage 

Implication

Procession 

Conflict 

Correct answer:

Procession 

Explanation:

The suffix "-cade" means procession or parade, so the word “motorcade” means a procession of cars. To provide further help, an “abyss” is a bottomless pit, a hole; “barrage” is a rapid and repeated attack; a “conflict” is a disagreement; “implication” means suggestion

Example Question #105 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BANQUET

Possible Answers:

Buffet

Dinner

Meal

Feast

Correct answer:

Feast

Explanation:

The word "banquet" is likely very familiar to you. You likely have been to some banquets at the end of the year for various groups (sporting, scouts, or something else). Such meals are often marked to celebrate something—a successful season, devotion to the scouting way of life, etc. They are celebratory and often large. They are not simple meals, like dinners or suppers. Likewise, even though they might be buffet-style, that is only by chance. (Often it is easier to have a big banquet by providing the food in a buffet line.) A "banquet," strictly speaking, is a large meal, generally formal, and extraordinary in character. (It is generally combined with awards, speeches, and so forth.) The best option among those provided is "feast," which is used to name a meal that is special and large in character.

Example Question #106 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SANCTUARY

Possible Answers:

Haven

Opacity

Companionship

Peril

Correct answer:

Haven

Explanation:

A "sanctuary" is a place of safety or refuge, especially when surrounded by an unsafe environment. Similarly, a "haven" is a place of security, so "haven" is the correct choice. Just to be thorough, let's look at the rest of the choices. "Peril" is synonymous with danger, so it conveys the opposite of safety. As you might be able to tell by dissecting the word, "companionship" refers to the state of having a companion or friend. Finally, "opacity" is derived from the word "opaque," which describes materials that are not transparent or "see-through." Hence, opacity means impermeability to light and has nothing to do with "sanctuary."

Example Question #107 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TERRAIN

Possible Answers:

Sea

Acre

Land

World

Asteroid

Correct answer:

Land

Explanation:

"Terrain" is land. "Land" is the best choice because it is a part of the definition of the word "terrain."

Example Question #108 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SPECIMEN

Possible Answers:

Dogma 

Refractory 

Integer 

Sample 

Fusion

Correct answer:

Sample 

Explanation:

The prefix "spec-" means to see or to look at. A “specimen” is an example to look at. In this sense, it is closest in meaning to “sample.” To provide further help, an “integer” is a number; “fusion” is a process of joining things together; “dogma” is an established belief system; “refractory” means stubborn or disobedient

Example Question #109 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DECLARATION

Possible Answers:

Advertisement

Announcement

Festival

Rejoicing

Shouting

Correct answer:

Announcement

Explanation:

Start by looking at the word "declaration" to find any possible base words that you might know. Certainly, you know "declare," which you would use in a sentence like, "I declared my feelings to her so that she would know how much I loved her." This means that you told or announced your feelings to the girl of your heart's desire. A "declaration" is the message that is declared; the words themselves are the declaration. Generally speaking, the word "declaration" is used to describe an official announcement, such as a "Declaration of Law 4832B," or something similar. Among the options provided, only "announcement" matches this closely enough. Perhaps you will be confused by "advertisement," for an advertisement "shows" something to someone else. However, the meaning of "announcement" is closer to the general sense of "declaration."

Example Question #110 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HAVEN

Possible Answers:

Vehicle

Legislation

Pollution

Refuge

Station

Correct answer:

Refuge

Explanation:

A "haven" is a refuge or a place of safety, so "refuge" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "haven": a "vehicle" is a thing used to transport or move things or people; "legislation" refers to laws or bills enacted by a governing body; "pollution" is the addition of a toxic or harmful thing to something; and a "station" is a stop for public transportation or a building that serves as a central location for a specific group or activity.

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