All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts
A synonym of "perseverance" is __________.
ignorance
fear
bravery
nobility
persistence
persistence
"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:
mirth
vivacity
appreciation
chaos
intensity
chaos
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 __________.
purpose
loyalty
dismissal
rebellion
demonstration
loyalty
"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 __________.
torment
excitement
persecution
fury
comfort
torment
"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 __________.
simplicity
obscurity
complexity
lightness
transparency
transparency
"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 __________.
friendship
prudence
preconception
spoils
fact
preconception
"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 . . .
mockery
praise
metal
greatness
opinion
mockery
"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 __________.
emotion
lie
speech
insult
precedence
precedence
"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 __________.
disruption
frequency
calm
intention
message
disruption
"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" __________.
management
inclination
openness
mettle
education
inclination
"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.