ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #231 : Identifying Synonyms

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

IMMENSE

Possible Answers:

Colossal

Intermediate

Microscopic

Miniature

Correct answer:

Colossal

Explanation:

"Immense" and "colossal" both mean very large, so "colossal" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, "microscopic" and "miniature" both mean very small, though "microscopic" means so small as to need a microscope to be seen and "miniature" means being a smaller version of something else. "Intermediate" means of a difficulty between easy and challenging.

Example Question #232 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "compact" is __________.

Possible Answers:

bungling

oversized

worrisome

miniature

pointless

Correct answer:

miniature

Explanation:

"Compact" is a word that when used as an adjective can mean "closely and neatly packed together; dense," or "having all the necessary components or features neatly fitted into a small space." So, we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "small." That means that "oversized" can't be the correct answer, because "oversized" can mean "bigger than the usual size," so "oversized" is an antonym of "compact." "Miniature," however, is an adjective that means "of a much smaller size than normal; very small," especially when used of a replica of something, so "miniature" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "compact."

Example Question #233 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PORTABLE

Possible Answers:

Toy

Big

Lightweight

Bag

Correct answer:

Lightweight

Explanation:

The word "portable" means easy to carry and transport from place to place. The best choice is "lightweight" because it is a characteristic of something that is portable and can be used as a synonym of "portable." Considering the other options, "big" is an antonym of portable because something that is big is not able to be carried easily. "Bag" and "toy" are both examples of things that can be portable.

Example Question #234 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ASSORTED

Possible Answers:

metropolitcan

various

circumstantial

wilderness

concept

Correct answer:

various

Explanation:

Assorted means made up of various types of things. To further help you, a concept is an idea; the wilderness is the wild; metropolitan means a large city area; circumstantial means because of a situation, lucky.

Example Question #235 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SPARSE

Possible Answers:

Concept

Duplicate

Scant

Thrifty

Nonchalant

Correct answer:

Scant

Explanation:

"Sparse" means scarce or not abundant. "Scant" similarly means scarce or not abundant, so "scant" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, a "concept" is an idea, a "duplicate" is an exact copy and to "duplicate" something means to make an exact copy of it, "thrifty" means using what you have carefully and not wasting anything, and "nonchalant" means calm and unconcerned about something.

Example Question #236 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SCARCE

Possible Answers:

Abundant

Disgusting

Frightening

Rare

Correct answer:

Rare

Explanation:

When something is "becoming scarce," it is decreasing in quantity. Indeed, a "scarce" supply is one that is scanty or small in quantity. If almost all the trees in a forest are cut down, we would say, "The trees have become scarce." Therefore, the word "scarce" at times is used to mean "rare" as well. If there are few trees, it becomes rare to see them. A "rare occurrence" is one that does not happen very frequently—it "scarcely happens."

Example Question #237 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ABUNDANT

Possible Answers:

Plentiful

Energetic

Scarce

Fruitful

Correct answer:

Plentiful

Explanation:

When you have an "abundance" of something, you have a lot of that thing. The word "abounding" means overflowing or in a great quantity. Therefore, "abounding love" means a great amount of love—to the point of overflowing. The best answer is "plentiful," which expresses having a great amount. To say that you have "plenty of corn" is to say that you have a lot of corn. Note, however, that while a fruitful harvest is indeed "plentiful," it does not mean exactly the same thing as "abundant." "Fruitful" means producing a lot or productive, so while "fruitfulness" is a kind of "abundance," is not the same as "abundance" or "abundant."

Example Question #238 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MEAGER

Possible Answers:

Wealthy

Merge

Ample

Generous

Sparse

Correct answer:

Sparse

Explanation:

"Meager" refers to amounts of things and means a very small or too small. "Sparse," which means present only in small amounts or less than is necessary, is the best match.

Example Question #239 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MAXIMUM

Possible Answers:

Meager

Drastic

Minor

Greatest

Cordial

Correct answer:

Greatest

Explanation:

"Maximum" means most or greatest possible, so "greatest" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "maximum": "meager" means insufficient or not enough; "minor" means relatively small or relatively unimportant; "drastic" means extreme or radical; and "cordial" means friendly and pleasant.

Example Question #240 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SCANT

Possible Answers:

Delicious 

Significant 

Precious 

Elementary 

Little 

Correct answer:

Little 

Explanation:

Scant means slight or little. To further help you, precious means valuable and important to someone; delicious means tasty; significant means important or noteworthy; elementary means basic.

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