ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #901 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MURKY

Possible Answers:

Mighty

Sore

Clear

Intentional

Dark

Correct answer:

Dark

Explanation:

Something that is “murky” is dismal and dark, so "dark" is the correct answer. So, water might be “murky” if it were very dirty. “Murky” is also the opposite of “clear,” which means transparent and unclouded. “Sore” means in pain due to overexertion of muscles; “intentional” means done on purpose; and “mighty” means strong.

Example Question #902 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "hardy" is __________.

Possible Answers:

clear

rugged

expensive

firm

cheap

Correct answer:

rugged

Explanation:

"Hardy" is an adjective that means "robust; capable of enduring difficult conditions," or when used of a plant, "able to survive outside during winter." One might assume that "firm" is the best answer because "hardy" contains the word "hard," but "hardy" does not mean the same thing as "hard," so "firm" cannot be the correct answer. One meaning of "rugged," however, is " having or requiring toughness and determination." Because "rugged" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "hardy," "rugged" is the correct answer.

Example Question #903 : Identifying Synonyms

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

Stout

Possible Answers:

Fat

Sociable

Intelligent

Athletic

Thin

Correct answer:

Fat

Explanation:

"Stout" means fat.

Example Question #904 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BLUNT

Possible Answers:

Dull

Tepid

Acute

Significant

Correct answer:

Dull

Explanation:

The word "blunt" means not sharp. "Dull" is the best choice because it also means not sharp. Considering the other choices, "acute" means sharp, "tepid" means lukewarm, and "significant" means important.

Example Question #905 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FRAGILE

Possible Answers:

Pure

Dangerous

Sturdy

Delicate

Correct answer:

Delicate

Explanation:

"Fragile" means easy to damage or break. "Delicate" is the word choice that most closely matches this definition. "Sturdy," which is a synonym of strong, is the opposite of "fragile," and "dangerous" and "pure" are both unrelated words.

Example Question #906 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "corrugated" is __________.

Possible Answers:

speckled

grooved

bloated

flat

fuzzy

Correct answer:

grooved

Explanation:

"Corrugated" is an adjective that refers to a material, surface, or structure and means "shaped into alternate ridges and grooves." So, "flat" cannot be the correct answer because it is an antonym, not a synonym, of "corrugated." "Grooved," however, is an adjective that means "provided with or having a groove or grooves," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "corrugated," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #907 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "durable" is __________.

Possible Answers:

fragile

hardy

ominous

exact

meager

Correct answer:

hardy

Explanation:

"Durable" is an adjective that means "able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage; hard-wearing," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "able to withstand wear." "Fragile" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "fragile" means the opposite of "durable," so it is an antonym, not a synonym, of "durable." "Hardy," however, is an adjective that means "robust; capable of enduring difficult conditions" and because "hardy" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "durable," "hardy" is the correct answer.

Example Question #908 : Identifying Synonyms

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

Firm

Possible Answers:

Light

Colorful

Hard

Thin

Soft

Correct answer:

Hard

Explanation:

"Firm" means hard.

Example Question #909 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VACANT

Possible Answers:

Empty

Absent

Evacuate

Lively

Correct answer:

Empty

Explanation:

"Vacant" means empty. "Empty" is the best choice because it is a part of the definiton for "vacant." Considering the other choices, "lively" means energetic, "absent" means away or missing, and "evacuate" means to leave an area because it is dangerous. "Evacuate" is not as good a choice because it is a verb, while "vacant" is an adjective.

Example Question #910 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PERMEABLE

Possible Answers:

Permanent

Sponge

Changing

Porous

Correct answer:

Porous

Explanation:

The word "permeable" means full of small holes that let liquids and objects of a certain size pass through. The best answer choice is "porous," which means full of small holes that allow air or liquids to pass through. Considering the other choices, a "sponge" is something that is permeable, "permanent" means lasting forever and unchanging, and "changing" is an antonym of permanent. 

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