ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #891 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RAUCOUS

Possible Answers:

melodic

sharp

melancholy

noisy

silent

Correct answer:

noisy

Explanation:

While all four of these answer choices are adjectives, only one shares its meaning with "raucous," which is often used to describe loud, discordant, overly rowdy situations or groups of people. Here, "noisy" is our best answer. "Silent" and "melodic," both of which also relate to sound, are near antonyms. Something that is "silent" makes no noise at all, while a "melodic" sound would be musical and pleasant, not harsh or unpleasantly loud. "Melancholy" describes a deeply sad or depressed mood and can therefore be eliminated, and "sharp" describes pointed ends or well-honed edges that can prick or split things.

Example Question #892 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FEVERISH

Possible Answers:

Uninterested

Kinetic

Hot

Energetic

Fraudulent

Correct answer:

Hot

Explanation:

A “fever” is a type of sickness or illness in which one feels very hot, tired, and physically weak. If one is "feverish," one is "hot."

Example Question #893 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UNKEMPT

Possible Answers:

Rare

Unattractive

Lost

Messy

Smelly

Correct answer:

Messy

Explanation:

Something that is "unkempt" is disorderly and disorganized in appearance. The word from the answer choices that most closely means this is "messy," which is therefore the correct answer.

Example Question #894 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SHROUDED

Possible Answers:

Dark

Unhappy

Strict

Sugary

Covered

Correct answer:

Covered

Explanation:

"Shrouded" means cloaked or veiled. Thus, something that is "shrouded" is "covered," making "covered" the best synonym. While something that is "shrouded" may be "dark," those words are not the same in meaning. Therefore, "dark" is a tempting wrong answer choice. 

Example Question #895 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRISTINE

Possible Answers:

Confusing

Spotless

Marred

Dirty

Self-assured

Correct answer:

Spotless

Explanation:

Have you ever been in a friend's house that seems almost too clean? Or walked by a lawn that was perfectly manicured? In situations like these, you could use the adjective "pristine," which means perfectly clean or untouched. The best choice for a synonym is clearly "spotless," which could also describe an impeccably clean environment. Both "dirty" and "marred" are antonyms, and "self-assured" simply describes a confident or assertive person.

Example Question #896 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AROMA

Possible Answers:

Smell

Sound

Taste

Appearance

Texture

Correct answer:

Smell

Explanation:

The “aroma” of something is how it smells, so one could say that a flower has a nice aroma.

Example Question #897 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FRAGRANT

Possible Answers:

Nauseating

Soft

Delicious

Aromatic

Sweet

Correct answer:

Aromatic

Explanation:

Something that is "fragrant" has a "fragrance," another word for a smell or an aroma. Therefore, "aromatic" is the correct answer, as both "fragrant" and "aromatic" mean nice-smelling.

Example Question #898 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DILAPIDATED

Possible Answers:

Lucky

Ingenious

Ramshackle

Clean

Sturdy

Correct answer:

Ramshackle

Explanation:

"Dilapidated" means not maintained over time and therefore run-down and in poor condition, so "ramshackle," which means run-down, is the correct answers. None of the other answer choices is close in meaning to "dilapidated."

Example Question #899 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HANDSOME

Possible Answers:

Worrisome

Careful

Foolish

Persistent

Attractive

Correct answer:

Attractive

Explanation:

“Handsome” means attractive and good looking, and in contemporary usage, it is most often used to describe a man. So, "attractive" is the correct answer.

Example Question #900 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SLENDER

Possible Answers:

Dreary

Slim

Clever

Resolute

Pointed

Correct answer:

Slim

Explanation:

“Slender” means skinny or "slim." As for the other answer choices, the word “clever” means quick-witted; “resolute” means determined; "dreary” means drab in appearance and causing sadness; and "pointed" means coming to a sharp, narrow tip.

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