ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1001 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

DEDICATED

Possible Answers:

Energetic

Steadfast

Remarkable

Dynamic

Regular

Correct answer:

Steadfast

Explanation:

Generally speaking, "dedication" describes a trait that indicates that someone or some thing is "set aside" and "devoted" to some task or cause. When a computer server is "dedicated" to a given task, it is set aside to work solely on that task. When an employee is "dedicated to his or her company, he works hard and remains steadfast in spite of difficulties. The word "steadfast" really means "standing firm," as in the informal expression "stand fast," in which "fast" means firm or certain, not quick. Dedication requires that someone or something "stand fast" or remain firm in resolve. Note that the word "regular" does not necessarily indicate such firmness and therefore is not as good of an option as "steadfast."

Example Question #1002 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

WARY

Possible Answers:

Careful

Congratulatory

Wild

Reckless

Thematic

Correct answer:

Careful

Explanation:

"Wary" is an adjective that means cautious, so we need to pick out an answer choice that is an adjective and means something like cautious. "Reckless" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "reckless" is an antonym of "cautious." "Careful," however, is an adjective that means paying attention to details in order to avoid danger, and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "wary," "careful" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1003 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

A synonym of "eccentric" is __________.

Possible Answers:

inconsiderate

blatant

quirky

miraculous

conventional

Correct answer:

quirky

Explanation:

"Eccentric" is an adjective that is used of a person or their behavior and means "unconventional and slightly strange." So, we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "unconventional." "Conventional," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "conventional, which means "based on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed," is an antonym, not a synonym, of "unconventional." "Quirky," however, is an adjective that means "characterized by peculiar or unexpected traits," and because "quirky" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "eccentric," "quirky" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1004 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

ADEPT

Possible Answers:

Frigid 

Skilled

Challenging 

Stifling

Tropical

Correct answer:

Skilled

Explanation:

To be adept at something is to be skilled or good at it. To further help you, tropical means having a warm and wet climate; frigid means very cold; stifling means very hot and restrictive; challenging means difficult.

Example Question #1005 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

 

CAPTIVATING

Possible Answers:

Policing

Enchanting

Enjoyable

Illegal

Correct answer:

Enchanting

Explanation:

When something is "captivating," it is able to take someone "captive"—at least figuratively speaking. That is, it captures your attention because of its forcefully interesting character. Sometimes, the word can be used as a positive description of someone (a captivating personality). Generally speaking, the best use of the term is one that indicates forceful capturing of attention. Therefore, the best option among those provided is "enchanting." Something "enchanting" is very attractive or charming. Such enchanting things are able to capture someone's attention as well. Hence, they are rightly called "captivating."

Example Question #1004 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

BRAZEN

Possible Answers:

Powerless

Confused

Embarrassed

Nervous

Bold

Correct answer:

Bold

Explanation:

When you hear the word "brazen," you might think of the similar-sounding word "brave." The terms are similar, as both refer to fearless behavior, but "brazen" is a little bit more specific. While a brave person might be courageous in a number of situations, someone who acts in a brazen manner is shameless about doing things that would make other people embarrassed. "Bold," a word that can indicate both confidence and a disregard for rules, is our best choice here. Someone who feels shamelessly confident would not be "embarrassed," "nervous," or "powerless," so those choices are incorrect.

Example Question #1005 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

FICKLE

Possible Answers:

Truthful

Constant

Persuasive

Friendly

Inconstant

Correct answer:

Inconstant

Explanation:

"Fickle" is an adjective that means "changing frequently, especially as regards one's loyalties, interests, or affection," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "changing frequently." "Constant," then, cannot be the correct answer because "constant" is an antonym of "changing frequently." "Inconstant," however, is an adjective that means either "frequently changing; variable or irregular," or when used of a person or their behavior, "not faithful and dependable." Because "inconstant" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "fickle," "inconstant" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1006 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

AVID

Possible Answers:

Apathetic

Indifferent

Passionless

Eager

Correct answer:

Eager

Explanation:

If you have heard "avid" used in phrases like "an avid sportsman," you might be able to figure out that "avid" means eager, or very interested in something. So, "eager" is the correct answer. "Apathetic," "indifferent," and "passionless" are all antonyms, or opposites, of "avid."

Example Question #1011 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

PRESUMPTUOUS

Possible Answers:

Apt

Justified

Bubbly

Audacious

Ashamed

Correct answer:

Audacious

Explanation:

"Presumptuous" is an adjective that is used of a person or their behavior and means "failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not appropriate." "Apt," then, cannot be the correct answer because "apt" means "appropriate or suitable in the circumstances," making it an antonym, not a synonym of "presumptuous." "Audacious," however, is an adjective that means either "showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks," or "showing an impudent lack of respect." Because "audacious" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "presumptuous," "audacious" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1012 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

ADAPTIVE

Possible Answers:

Shy

Careful

Sneaky

Charming

Flexible

Correct answer:

Flexible

Explanation:

Someone who is "adaptive" is good at adjusting to his or her surroundings. Someone who is "flexible" is able to accommodate different types of situations. Therefore, "adaptive" is most similar to "flexible."

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