ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : 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:

Tolerate

Observe

Appear

Mirror

Consider

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 #12 : 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

Rarely

Occasionally

Always

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 #1 : Identifying Synonyms

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

Annually

Possible Answers:

Weekly

Daily

Hourly

Yearly

Monthly

Correct answer:

Yearly

Explanation:

Annually means every year or yearly.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

SELDOM

Possible Answers:

Rarely

Spontaneously

Often

Immediately

Potentially

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 #13 : Synonyms

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 #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

NATURALLY

Possible Answers:

Quickly

Slyly

Temporarily

Angrily

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 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

INSTANTANEOUSLY

Possible Answers:

Helpfully

Figuratively

Immediately

Regularly

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 #1 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

INTERIOR

Possible Answers:

Pensive

Outgoing

Complete

Amplified

Inside

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 #1 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

EXTRACT

Possible Answers:

Inter

Persuade

Remove

Expect

Applaud

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 #2 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

IRRESPONSIBLE

Possible Answers:

Mature

Gigantic

Immense

Miniature

Immature

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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