ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #14 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

RESEMBLE

Possible Answers:

Mirror

Observe

Tolerate

Consider

Appear

Correct answer:

Mirror

Explanation:

Something that "resembles" something else looks like it. The other answer choices mean the following: "tolerate" means allow; "consider" means think about; and "appear" means look a certain way on the surface, often different from how someone or something really is. (For example, someone might say, "Although those flowers may appear harmless, do not touch them: they are poisonous.")

Example Question #16 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

PERIODICALLY

Possible Answers:

Frequently

Always

Occasionally

Rarely

Correct answer:

Occasionally

Explanation:

When something occurs "periodically," it occurs regularly in a given period of time. For instance, the periodic swinging of a pendulum is the time that it takes for it to swing back and forth. Likewise, the occurrence of a full moon occurs periodically—according to a fixed period of the moon's orbiting around the earth. By itself, the word "periodically" does not indicate whether or not something occurs frequently, quickly, or rarely. It merely indicates that something happens at regular intervals.

The word "occasionally" is an adverb that could be rewritten, on occasion or on a given occasion. The implication is that it describes something that happens sometimes but not always. It does not necessarily state that it occurs rarely. Likewise, it is not proper to use "occasionally" to indicate that you do something frequently. You wouldn't say, "I occasionally eat asparagus," but actually mean that you eat it every day of the year. To indicate that you eat it every day of the year, you would say, "I always eat asparagus." To say "occasionally" is to indicate that the activity being described is sporadic—now and then, on occasion.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

Annually

Possible Answers:

Monthly

Daily

Weekly

Hourly

Yearly

Correct answer:

Yearly

Explanation:

Annually means every year or yearly.

Example Question #1 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SELDOM

Possible Answers:

Often

Spontaneously

Potentially

Rarely

Immediately

Correct answer:

Rarely

Explanation:

"Seldom" is an adverb that means not happening often. The best choice is "rarely" because it means infrequently and is a synonym of "seldom." Something that seldom happens rarely happens.

Example Question #11 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Michelle has been unable to commit herself to a regular exercise regime, and instead exercises very __________.

Possible Answers:

intently

sporadically

quickly

unsurely

fairly

Correct answer:

sporadically

Explanation:

Given that Michelle has not been able to commit to a regular exercise regime, the best answer is a word that describes irregularity. "Sporadically" means to do something at inconsistent intervals. Therefore, "sporadically" is the word that best fits the sentence. 

Example Question #1 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NATURALLY

Possible Answers:

Angrily

Quickly

Temporarily

Slyly

Genuinely

Correct answer:

Genuinely

Explanation:

The word "natural" comes from roots related to birth. Something that is "natural" is inborn. Thus, if someone has a naturally happy attitude, that person is happy in an unreflective way. He or she just "is happy"—as though he or she was born that way. The word has taken on the meaning "genuinely" because such a natural disposition is not something that is faked.

Example Question #2 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INSTANTANEOUSLY

Possible Answers:

Immediately

Regularly

Figuratively

Helpfully

Devotedly

Correct answer:

Immediately

Explanation:

An "instant" is a very short period of time. Whenever something happens in a very short time, it happens "instantaneously." This means that it happens almost immediately.

Example Question #21 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

INTERIOR

Possible Answers:

Outgoing

Pensive

Complete

Inside

Amplified

Correct answer:

Inside

Explanation:

The prefix "in-" here means inside, so the word “interior” means having to do with or located inside of something, making "inside" the correct answer.

Example Question #22 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

EXTRACT

Possible Answers:

Expect

Remove

Inter

Applaud

Persuade

Correct answer:

Remove

Explanation:

The prefix "ex-" can mean out, so it makes sense that "extract" means pull out of someone or something. For example, if one of your teeth became infected, you would probably have a dentist extract the infected tooth—that is, pull it out. Just because "expect" and "extract" both begin with "ex-" doesn't mean they are synonyms—in "expect," the "ex-" isn't functioning to mean out; it just intensifies another root's meaning. (To "inter" something or someone is to bury that thing or person.)

Example Question #23 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

IRRESPONSIBLE

Possible Answers:

Immature

Mature

Miniature

Gigantic

Immense

Correct answer:

Immature

Explanation:

The prefixes "ir-" and "im-" mean not, so it makes sense that "irresponsible" means not responsible and “immature” means not mature. If you are “responsible,” you are mature and dependable. “Immense” means massive or very large. “Immense” is a synonym of “gigantic,” and an antonym of “miniature.” “Gigantic” means very big and “miniature” means very small.

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