ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #35 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

AFFECTIONATE

Possible Answers:

Caring

Moody

Bubbly

Joyful

Helpful

Correct answer:

Caring

Explanation:

When someone is "affectionate," he or she is very caring and loving toward other people. Now, while such a person might also tend to be helpful, joyful, or even bubbly, these meanings are not strict synonyms for "affectionate." Affection is, above all else, about love. Thus, the best synonym among those provided for "affectionate" is "caring." (The word "caring" means more than "helpful"—it indicates an emotional attachment. This makes it a better option.)

Example Question #41 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GLEEFUL

Possible Answers:

Friendly

Willing

Energetic

Joyful

Amazing

Correct answer:

Joyful

Explanation:

The word "glee" means a great amount of happiness. Thus, a gleeful person is very happy. We could say, "The baby was utterly gleeful while playing with the small dog, giggling and slapping playfully at the ground." The main thing that you want to express with the word "gleeful" is happiness.  (Often, this happiness comes with great energy too; however, gleefulness is about happiness.)  Thus, the best option is "joyful."

Example Question #42 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DEPRESSED

Possible Answers:

Worried

Concerned

Angry

Fussy

Miserable

Correct answer:

Miserable

Explanation:

The word "depressed" is used to describe someone who is very unhappy. When a person is "miserable," he or she is not happy or is very negative about life. Among the options given, this is the only one that closely matches "depressed".

Example Question #43 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FURIOUS

Possible Answers:

Annoyed

Gruff

Enraged

Superb

Correct answer:

Enraged

Explanation:

"Furious" is an adjective meaning extremely angry. The only answer choice with a similar meaning is "enraged," which means very angry. The other words do not have similar meanings: "gruff" can mean no-nonsense or abrupt; "superb" means excellent; and "annoyed" means only slightly angry.

Example Question #44 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ERRATIC

Possible Answers:

Lucky

Lazy

Predictable

Unpredictable

Organized

Correct answer:

Unpredictable

Explanation:

When someone behaves "erratically" they are acting in a way that is not expected, usual, nor even predictable. Therefore, "unpredictable" would be the word closest to this meaning and is a synonym for erratic.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

VISIONARY

Possible Answers:

Damaged goods 

Uncontrollable desire

Portent 

Creative thinker 

Potent 

Correct answer:

Creative thinker 

Explanation:

A “visionary” is someone who has the vision to see creative solutions to problems, a creative thinker. To provide further help, “uncontrollable” means not able to be controlled; “potent” means powerful; a “portent” is an omen.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

A synonym of "kin" is __________.

Possible Answers:

relative

child

person

connected

spark

Correct answer:

relative

Explanation:

"Kin" is a noun that means "one's family and relations," or an adjective that means "related." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "one's family." While "connected" may look like the correct answer, because people who are "kin" are connected to each other, "connected" does not mean the same thing as "kin," so "connected" cannot be the correct answer. "Relative," however, can not only function as an adjective that means "considered in relation or in proportion to something else," but also as a noun that means "a person connected by blood or marriage." So, because "relative" is the closest synonym to "kin" amongst the listed answer choices, "relative" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Nouns

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.

FOE:

Possible Answers:

comrade

tyrant

partner

enemy

miser

Correct answer:

enemy

Explanation:

A foe is the opposite of a comrade and is defined as an enemy.

Example Question #45 : Identifying Synonyms

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.

PACIFIST:

Possible Answers:

philanthropist

ally

peacemaker

orator

instigator

Correct answer:

peacemaker

Explanation:

A pacifist is someone who keeps the peace or who is a peacemaker.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

BEGINNER

Possible Answers:

Novice

Benevolent

New

Biased

Correct answer:

Novice

Explanation:

The best answer choice is "novice," because another word for a "beginner" is "novice." Considering the other choices, "benevolent" means kind or charitable, and "biased" means expressing a particular prejudice. While the word "new" is related, it is an adjective that describes a beginner and is not a synonym of "beginner."

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