ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #76 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

APPAREL

Possible Answers:

Ambitions

Habitat

Clothing

Possessions

Desires

Correct answer:

Clothing

Explanation:

“Apparel” is another name for clothing. The word “possessions” describes things you own. A “habitat” is where an animal lives in the wild. The things you “desire” are the things you want. “Ambitions” are hopes and dreams you have about what you will do in life.

Example Question #71 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

REFUGE

Possible Answers:

Judgment

Document

Junction

Shelter

Disposal

Correct answer:

Shelter

Explanation:

A “refuge” is somewhere you escape to, for protection, so "shelter" is the correct answer. A “document” is something you write or something written; “disposal” means the act of throwing something away; a “junction” is somewhere where two things meet; and “judgement” is decision-making.

Example Question #77 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

DONATION

Possible Answers:

Dismissal

Capture

Gift

Theft

Reward

Correct answer:

Gift

Explanation:

A “donation” is something you give to someone or a group. A “reward” is something you get for doing something or doing something well; “capture,” when used as a noun, means the act of getting hold of, arresting, or catching someone or something; and "dismissal" means the act of sending someone away.

Example Question #48 : Synonyms: Nouns For Nonliving Things

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

ICON

Possible Answers:

Occupant

Book

Party

Fame

Image

Correct answer:

Image

Explanation:

"Icon" means imagesignificant person or thing that serves as an example of something larger than that person or thing, or religious image used to aid in worship. That means that "image" is the best answer choice. As for the other answer choices, "occupant” means person living in a designated place; "book" means written work traditionally published as a series of bound pages between covers; a "party" is a celebratory gathering or a group; and "fame" means renown or stardom.

Example Question #78 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

FABLE

Possible Answers:

Anthology

Article

Tale

Epic

Encyclopedia

Correct answer:

Tale

Explanation:

"Fable" is a noun that means "a short story, typically with animals as characters, conveying a moral." So, we need to pick out a noun that means "a short story." "Epic" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "epic," when used as a noun, is either a long poem derived from ancient oral tradition, which narrates the deeds of heroic or legendary figures, or it is a long narrative work that portrays heroic deeds and covers an extended period of time. So, because epics are specifically long works, "epic" cannot be the correct answer, because we're looking for a noun that means "a short story." "Tale" is a noun that means "a fictitious or true narrative or story, especially one that is imaginatively recounted," and because "tale" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "fable," "tale" is the correct answer.

Example Question #81 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

EVIDENCE

Possible Answers:

Proof

Expert

Business

Politician

Athlete

Correct answer:

Proof

Explanation:

"Evidence" is proof or something that can prove or verify a statement, so "proof" is the correct answer. A "business" is a company or corporation that engages in some activity for profit. An "expert" is a person who is very good or knowledgable about a topic or activity. A "politician" is an elected official who works in the government. An "athlete" is a person who is very skilled at playing sports.

Example Question #81 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

GARMENT

Possible Answers:

Storage

Attire

Suit

Uniform

Position

Correct answer:

Attire

Explanation:

Maybe you have heard your siblings or parents talking about "garment bags." These are bags that are used for carrying clothes. (For instance, a uniform might be carried in a garment bag when going to a football game.) The word "garment" is not about any particular kind of clothing that might be put into such a bag. Instead, the word "garment" simply means clothing item. Thus, the best option provided here is "attire." Perhaps you have heard someone say something like, "He changed his attire so he could look nicer for the dance." "Attire" is a synonym for "clothes." (It does sometimes mean "nice clothes", but it is also fine for simple "clothes" as well!)

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

SQUALOR:

Possible Answers:

cleanliness

lethargy

impairment

variability

misery

Correct answer:

misery

Explanation:

If someone is living in squalor, they are living in misery and unpleasantness; this is often due to a lack of financial resources.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

A synonym of "alias" is __________.

Possible Answers:

middle name

nominal

fake name

almost

real name

Correct answer:

fake name

Explanation:

"Alias," when used as a noun, means "a false or assumed identity." The word can also be used as an adverb "used to indicate that a named person is also known or more familiar under another specified name." (The adverb functions in the same way as the phrase "also know as," but is specifically used to discuss real and assumed names.) So, we need to pick out an answer choice that has to do with names, specifically, with fake or assumed names. Since "fake name" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "alias," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

MAGNITUDE:

Possible Answers:

unimportance

essence

worth

personality

size

Correct answer:

size

Explanation:

The magnitude of an object or person refers to their size and often suggests vastness.

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