ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Complexity, Precision, And Luck

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

ATTENTIVE

Possible Answers:

Aware

Rapid

Intellectual

Friendly

Brilliant

Correct answer:

Aware

Explanation:

The word "attentive" is used to describe someone who is carefully aware of something. It means that he or she gives that thing his or her attention. To be attentive does not necessarily mean that such a person is intelligent; however, it does mean that he or she is aware. Thus, we would say, "She was an attentive listener, never missing a single word said to her."

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Complexity, Precision, And Luck

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

THOROUGH

Possible Answers:

Complete

Direct

Internal

Passing

Between

Correct answer:

Complete

Explanation:

Do not confuse "thorough" with "through!"  The word "thorough" means complete or total. It is used to describe something that is not done merely partially but is done in its fullness. For example, if you clean your room "thoroughly," you have done so completely.  

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Complexity, Precision, And Luck

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

INTRICATE

Possible Answers:

Simple

Computerized

Complicated

Plain

Vibrant

Correct answer:

Complicated

Explanation:

When something is "intricate," it is complex. Thus, we can say, "He gave an intricate answer, taking a long time to describe all of the details of the new building." Also, you could say that a new invention is intricate if it is made up of many parts that fit together in complex ways. Therefore, the best option among those given is "complicated."

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Complexity, Precision, And Luck

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

ACCESSIBLE

Possible Answers:

Tiny

Short

Simplistic

Porous

Understandable

Correct answer:

Understandable

Explanation:

Whenever something is "accessible," we can get to it relatively easily. An "accessible building" is one that doesn't take a lot of complicated maneuvers to reach. An "accessible item" on a shelf can be grabbed without a lot of trouble. "Accessible" does not mean "short" or "tiny"—even if being short or tiny makes some things more accessible. Instead, this question uses a secondary meaning of "accessible." We can also say that ideas are accessible. Thus, if someone can explain things in an understandable manner, we say that he or she is very accessible in his or her talking.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Complexity, Precision, And Luck

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

CONVOLUTED

Possible Answers:

Playful

Interesting

Beautiful

Complicated

Descriptive

Correct answer:

Complicated

Explanation:

"Convoluted" means something is unclear or easy to understand, therefore, "complicated" would be the word most like convoluted.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

Synonyms: choose the answer closest in meaning to the word in question.

Gorgeous

Possible Answers:

Gentle

Beautiful

Ill-mannered

Ugly

Intelligent

Correct answer:

Beautiful

Explanation:

"Gorgeous" means beautiful.

Example Question #299 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

CONSPICUOUS

Possible Answers:

Invisible

Terrifying

Ordinary

Noticeable

Correct answer:

Noticeable

Explanation:

"Conspicuous" means standing out so as to be clearly visible. "Noticeable," which means able to be easily noticed, is the best synonym of "conspicuous," so "noticeable" is the correct answer.

 

Incorrect answers:

"Invisible" means not able to be seen. It is an antonym of "conspicuous," which means clearly visible, so it is incorrect.

"Ordinary" means having no special or unusual features or normal, as in the sentence, "My house looks ordinary and doesn't stand out among the other houses in my neighborhood."

"Terrifying" means causing a feeling of extreme fear, as in the sentence, "I have a fear of heights, so while I thought that the Grand Canyon was beautiful from a distance, I found it terrifying when I stood at the edge and looked down."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

VISIBLE

Possible Answers:

Permeable

Noticeable

Vision

Cloudy

Correct answer:

Noticeable

Explanation:

"Visible" means able to be seen. The best choice is "noticeable," which means able to be noticed. Something that is "noticeable" can be seen. Considering the other choices, "permeable" means full of small holes so certain things may pass through"cloudy" means not clear, and "vision" is sight. Even though "vision" is related to "visible," it is a noun while "visible" is an adjective. Since "noticeable" is both close in definition to "visible" and an adjective, it is the best choice.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

EXQUISITE

Possible Answers:

Stunning

Grotesque

Rough

Crude

Correct answer:

Stunning

Explanation:

"Exquisite" and "stunning" mean beautiful, or beautifully made. "Crude" and "rough" can mean vulgar or badly made. "Grotesque" means ugly. If you can figure out that "crude" and "rough" are synonyms and "grotesque" means ugly, you should be able to deduce that "stunning" is a synonym of "exquisite," even if you don't know what "exquisite" means.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

RAVISHING

Possible Answers:

Stunning

Homely

Hideous

Bland

Correct answer:

Stunning

Explanation:

"Ravishing," an adjective that is usually used to describe a person, means gorgeous or enchantingly lovely in appearance. So, "stunning," which implies that something or someone is surprisingly beautiful, is the best choice here. "Homely" and "hideous" both refer to the opposite situation: something that is "homely" is plain in an unattractive way, and a "hideous" object is very ugly or gross-looking. "Bland," which means tasteless or boring, is also very different from "ravishing."

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