ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #991 : Synonyms

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

BORING

Possible Answers:

Fascinating

Exciting

Dull

Intriguing

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 #371 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

JOVIAL

Possible Answers:

Morose

Solemn

Festive

Melancholy

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 #372 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

RETENTIVE

Possible Answers:

Educated 

Owning possessions

Wealthy

Healthy

Having good memory

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 #991 : Synonyms

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

ARROGANT

Possible Answers:

Modest

Inferior

Secretive

Content

Pompous

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 #992 : Synonyms

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

DISCREET

Possible Answers:

Fraudulent

Hopeful

Prudent

Unknown

Obvious

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 #993 : Synonyms

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

AMIABLE

Possible Answers:

Friendly

Responsive

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 #994 : Synonyms

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

BARBARIC

Possible Answers:

Uneducated

Ancient

Civil

Cruel

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 #995 : Synonyms

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

PERSISTENT

Possible Answers:

Attentive

Studious

Annoying

Greedy

Determined

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.

Example Question #996 : Synonyms

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

DEDICATED

Possible Answers:

Regular

Energetic

Remarkable

Steadfast

Dynamic

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 #997 : Synonyms

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

WARY

Possible Answers:

Careful

Thematic

Congratulatory

Reckless

Wild

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.

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