ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #821 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FLIPPANT

Possible Answers:

Laid-back

Sharp

Hostile

Sassy

Courteous

Correct answer:

Sassy

Explanation:

"Flippant" means lacking proper respect. "Sassy" is the best match because it means cheeky or impertinent.

Example Question #822 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UNRULY

Possible Answers:

Faithful

Obedient

Rebellious

Meager

Correct answer:

Rebellious

Explanation:

Think of "unruly" as an adjective meaning not following rules, difficult to control, or rebellious. "Obedient" and "faithful" are antonyms of "unruly" and "rebellious." "Meager" means very small or too small in amount.

Example Question #823 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BORING

Possible Answers:

Dull

Exciting

Intriguing

Fascinating

Correct answer:

Dull

Explanation:

"Fascinating" and "intriguing" are synonyms, and both words mean interesting. Eliminate them, because there can be only one right answer. "Exciting" means "amazing," the opposite of "boring." So, "dull" is the correct answer.

Example Question #824 : Identifying Synonyms

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

JOVIAL

Possible Answers:

Solemn

Melancholy

Morose

Festive

Correct answer:

Festive

Explanation:

If you are unsure what the word in capital letters means, look at the answer choices. You can eliminate any answer choices that are synonyms of one other, because there isn't more than one right answer. "Morose" and "melancholy" both mean sad, so you can eliminate them. "Solemn" can mean serious. "Festive" is the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to "jovial"; both words mean good-humored or merry.

Example Question #825 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RETENTIVE

Possible Answers:

Having good memory

Owning possessions

Wealthy

Educated 

Healthy

Correct answer:

Having good memory

Explanation:

“Retentive” means able to hold on to memories, or “having good memory.” To provide further help, “possessions” are things that are owned

Example Question #826 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ARROGANT

Possible Answers:

Modest

Secretive

Content

Pompous

Inferior

Correct answer:

Pompous

Explanation:

If someone is "arrogant," they are known to be proud and pompous, so "pompous," which means full of oneself, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "arrogant": "modest" means playing down one's own accomplishments and skills, so it is an antonym of "arrogant"; "inferior" means lesser than something else in quality or some characteristic; "secretive" means uncommunicative or not giving out very much information about something; and "content," when used as an adjective, means happy with the one's current situation.

Example Question #827 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DISCREET

Possible Answers:

Fraudulent

Obvious

Prudent

Unknown

Hopeful

Correct answer:

Prudent

Explanation:

Something that is "discreet" is careful, tactful, or prudent, so "prudent" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "discreet": "obvious" means overt or easy to understand or see; "hopeful" means optimistic; "fraudulent" means deceptive; and "unknown" means not known, as you can tell from the word being a combination of the negative prefix "un-," which here means not, and "known."

Example Question #828 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AMIABLE

Possible Answers:

Responsive

Friendly

Pious

Ambivalent

Correct answer:

Friendly

Explanation:

The word "amiable" means having a friendly and pleasant disposition; therefore, "friendly" is the word that most closely matches the definition of "amiable." "Ambivalent" means having mixed feelings and "pious" means extremely religious. Like "responsive," their definitions are unrelated to the meaning of "amiable," making them incorrect answers choices.

Example Question #829 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BARBARIC

Possible Answers:

Cruel

Ancient

Uneducated

Civil

Correct answer:

Cruel

Explanation:

You likely know of the word "barbaric" by association with "barbarous" (a direct synonym) or "barbarian." The latter word, "barbarian," likely conjures up many images of men with horned helmets and other such stereotypes. The word actually comes from an insult used by the Greeks to describe persons who did not speak Greek. They seemed to be uncivilized and uncultured; their language sounded like "bar bar bar."

In any case, the word "barbaric" eventually developed to describe the cruel behavior attributed to such people. Thus, a number of words like cruel, savage, and vicious all are synonyms. Likewise, the word "barbaric" is at times used to describe someone who is uncivilized. However, note that being "uneducated" is not exactly the same as being uncivilized. Someone can be generally civilized and able to function in society and still be uneducated. Therefore, the best answer among those provided is "cruel."

Example Question #830 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PERSISTENT

Possible Answers:

Studious

Determined

Attentive

Greedy

Annoying

Correct answer:

Determined

Explanation:

When we "persist" in something, we keep doing it even though it is difficult. Someone who is "persistent" is a person who continues to work on something no matter what problems or difficulties arise. Persistence is the character trait of such a person. For instance, we would say, "With much persistence, Paul finally finished his long paper and was able to graduate." Although a studious person is persistent in studying, the word "studious" is too particular and really just deals with one type of persistence. The only option that matches the meaning of "persistence" generally speaking is "determined." When we are "determined" in our goals, we have set one goal and "stick to it" until it is completed.

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