ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #241 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MONOTONE

Possible Answers:

Unifying 

Gullible 

Resolute 

Variable

Unchanging 

Correct answer:

Unchanging 

Explanation:

The prefix "mono-" means one, so the word “monotone” means having only one tone. Of the answer choices, it is closest in meaning to “unchanging” which means not changing, staying the same. To provide further help, “variable” means differing; “gullible” means easily tricked; “resolute” means determined; “unifying” means bringing together

Example Question #242 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AMPLE

Possible Answers:

Charged

Profuse

Worried

Meager

Applied

Correct answer:

Profuse

Explanation:

"Ample" is an adjective that means "enough or more than enough; plentiful." So, "meager" cannot be the correct answer, because "meager" means "lacking in quantity or quality" when used to refer to something provided or available," making "meager" an antonym of "ample," not a synonym." "Profuse," however, is an adjective that means "exuberantly plentiful; abundant, especially when used of something offered or discharged." Because "profuse" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "ample," "profuse" is the correct answer.

Example Question #243 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AMPLE

Possible Answers:

Timely

Proud

Lacking

Destructive

Abundant

Correct answer:

Abundant

Explanation:

“Ample” is an adjective that means “plentiful,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “enough” or “plentiful.” That means that “lacking” cannot be the correct answer, because “lacking” means “not available,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “ample.” “Abundant,” however, is an adjective that means “large quantities; plentiful,” and because “abundant” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “ample,” “abundant” is the correct answer.

Example Question #412 : Synonyms

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

ELEPHANTINE

Possible Answers:

Ivory

Broad

Memorable

Enormous

Minuscule

Correct answer:

Enormous

Explanation:

"Elephantine" means elephant-like, or in other words, extremely large. While elephants produce ivory and are said to have good memories in popular culture, neither "ivory" (off-white) nor "memorable" (significant or easy to remember) is a synonym of "elephantine."

Example Question #413 : Synonyms

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

SOLITARY

Possible Answers:

Imaginary

Communal

Alone

Written

Paired

Correct answer:

Alone

Explanation:

"Solitary" shares its roots with words like "sole" (onlyalone) and "solo" (a musical piece performed by one person alone or as a part of a group performance). Given that these other terms each have to do with being by oneself in some way, it's not surprising that "solitary" means done alone or living alone, making "alone" the best answer choice. As for the other answer choices, "paired” means matched up with another; “imaginary” means not real, and instead created in the mind; "communal" means available for the use of anyone in a certain group; and "written" means conveyed in text.

Example Question #414 : Synonyms

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

MINUSCULE

Possible Answers:

Gigantic

Tiny

Reserved

Silent

Talkative

Correct answer:

Tiny

Explanation:

"Minuscule" means "tiny." As for the other answer choices, “gigantic” means very big, and is an antonym of "miniscule." “Talkative” means chatty; “reserved” means not loud or social, quiet and liking to be alone; and “silent” means not making any noise.

Example Question #415 : Synonyms

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

TOWERING

Possible Answers:

Urban

Industrial

Lofty

Developed

Expansive

Correct answer:

Lofty

Explanation:

The word "towering" is indeed related to the well-known word "tower." Obviously, towers are known for their height. They are quite tall buildings. Now, while they are often built in cities, the word "towering" is not synonymous with being "urban" or city-related. Instead, the word "towering" is an adjective merely meaning very tall. Thus, the word "lofty" is the best, for this can be used to describe something that is very high.

Example Question #416 : Synonyms

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

REGULAR

Possible Answers:

Popular

Intended

Unwelcome

Boring

Uniform

Correct answer:

Uniform

Explanation:

When something is regular, it happens in a pattered way. If water is dropping in a regular manner from the ceiling, this means that it drops in a way that is predictable. If the bus always comes at the same time every day, it has a regular pattern and schedule. This kind of thing can be boring, but the word "regular" does not indicate boringness.  It indicates this kind of predictability. The word "uniform" means "having the same appearance." In school, if you have uniforms, this means that all of the students look the same. A "uniform pattern" is a regular pattern. Thus the word "uniform" is the best option among those provided.

Example Question #417 : Synonyms

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

SPACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Amazing

Amazing

Roomy

Universal

Celestial

Correct answer:

Roomy

Explanation:

The word "spacious" does have to do with space—physically open space, that is. When a room is "spacious" it has a lot of room in it. Thus, the word "roomy" is just fine as a synonym. Don't be tricked by the options that try to get you to pick something that deals with "outer space." We call it "space" because of all the empty room outside of planets and stars. (Hence, we can say, "Outer space is spacious," but "spacious" does not have anything to do directly with stars and other things like that.)

Example Question #418 : Synonyms

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

CHUNK

Possible Answers:

Shaving

Section

Chip

Sliver

Block

Correct answer:

Block

Explanation:

All of the options given here are about different kinds of "pieces" that we can have of something. A "chunk" of something, however, is a decent sized block. It is neither a sliver nor a mere "section." A chunk of cheese would be a little block of cheese, broken off the larger piece of cheese.

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