ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

A synonym of "perseverance" is __________.

Possible Answers:

ignorance

fear

bravery

nobility

persistence

Correct answer:

persistence

Explanation:

"Perseverance" is a noun that means "steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success." While "bravery" might look like a potentially correct answer, because someone who is brave might also demonstrate perseverance, "bravery" does not mean "perseverance," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Persistence," however, is a noun that means either "firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition" or "the continued or prolonged existence of something." Because "persistence" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "perseverance," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : 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.

PANDEMONIUM:

Possible Answers:

mirth

vivacity

appreciation

chaos

intensity

Correct answer:

chaos

Explanation:

If there is pandemonium, it means there is a high level of commotion or chaos.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

A synonym of "allegiance" is __________.

Possible Answers:

purpose

loyalty

dismissal

rebellion

demonstration

Correct answer:

loyalty

Explanation:

"Allegiance" is a noun that means "loyalty or commitment of a subordinate to a superior or of an individual to a group or cause." That means that "rebellion" can't be the correct answer, because "rebellion" means "an act of violent or open resistance to an established government or ruler" or "the action or process of resisting authority, control, or convention," so "rebellion" is an antonym of "allegiance." "Loyalty," however, is a noun that means "the quality of being loyal to someone or something," so "loyalty" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "allegiance."

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

A synonym of "agony" is __________.

Possible Answers:

torment

excitement

persecution

fury

comfort

Correct answer:

torment

Explanation:

"Agony" is a noun that means "extreme mental or physical pain." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "extreme pain." That means that "comfort" can't be the correct answer, because "comfort" means "a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint" or "consolation for grief or anxiety." So, "comfort" is an antonym of "agony." "Torment," however, is a word that when used as a noun means "severe physical or mental suffering" or "a cause of such suffering," so "torment" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "torment."

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

A synonym of "clarity" is __________.

Possible Answers:

simplicity

obscurity

complexity

lightness

transparency

Correct answer:

transparency

Explanation:

"Clarity" is a noun that can mean "the quality of being clear, in particular," "the quality of coherence and intelligibility," " the quality of being easy to see or hear; sharpness of image or sound," "the quality of being certain or definite," or "the quality of transparency or purity." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "clearness." That means that "obscurity" can't be the correct answer, because "obscurity" can mean "the quality of being difficult to understand," so "obscurity" is an antonym of "clarity." "Transparency," however, is an adjective that means "the quality of being able to see through something" or "the quality of being readily understood," so "transparency" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "clarity."

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

A synonym of "prejudice" is __________.

Possible Answers:

friendship

prudence

preconception

spoils

fact

Correct answer:

preconception

Explanation:

"Prejudice" is a word that when used as a noun defined as "preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience" or "dislike, hostility, or unjust behavior formed on such a basis." So, neither "fact" nor "friendship" can be the correct answer, because they are each an antonym of "prejudice." "Preconception," however, is a noun that means "a preconceived idea or prejudice," and because "preconception" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "prejudice," "preconception" is the correct answer.

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

A synonym of "travesty" is . . .

Possible Answers:

mockery

praise

metal

greatness

opinion

Correct answer:

mockery

Explanation:

"Travesty" is a word that when used as a noun, means "a false, absurd, or distorted representation of something," and when used as a verb, means "to represent something in such a way." So, "praise" cannot be the correct answer because to "praise" something is to say good things about it, while to "travesty" it is "to produce a false, absurd, or distorted representation of something." "Mockery," however, is a noun that means either "derision; ridicule," or "an absurd misrepresentation or imitation of something." Because "mockery" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "travesty," "mockery" is the correct answer.

Example Question #131 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "priority" is __________.

Possible Answers:

emotion

lie

speech

insult

precedence

Correct answer:

precedence

Explanation:

"Priority" is a noun that can mean "a thing that is regarded as more important than another," "the fact or condition of being regarded or treated as more important," or "the right to take precedence or to proceed before others." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "greater importance." "Precedence" is a noun that means "the condition of being considered more important than someone or something else; priority in importance, order, or rank," and because it is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "priority," "precedence" is the correct answer.

Example Question #132 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "disturbance" is __________.

Possible Answers:

disruption

frequency

calm

intention

message

Correct answer:

disruption

Explanation:

"Disturbance" is a noun that means "the interruption of a settled and peaceful condition," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "an interruption." "Calm," then, cannot be the correct answer, because when used as a noun, "calm" means "the absence of violent or confrontational activity within a place or group," making it an antonym of "disturbance," not a synonym. "Disruption," however, is a noun that means "disturbance or problems that interrupt an event, activity, or process," and because "disruption" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "disturbance," "disruption" is the correct answer.

Example Question #133 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "instinct" __________.

Possible Answers:

management

inclination

openness

mettle

education

Correct answer:

inclination

Explanation:

"Instinct" is a noun that means either "an innate, typically fixed pattern of behavior in animals in response to certain stimuli" or "a natural or intuitive way of acting or thinking." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "an intuitive way of acting or thinking." "Education" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "education" means "the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, esp. at a school or university," meaning that the knowledge one receives when one gets an education is not innate or intuitive, like instinct. "Inclination," however, is a noun that means "a person's natural tendency or urge to act or feel in a particular way; a disposition or propensity," and because "inclination" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "instinct," "inclination" is the correct answer.

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