ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Synonyms

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

RESEMBLE

Possible Answers:

Appear

Consider

Observe

Tolerate

Mirror

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 #1 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

PERIODICALLY

Possible Answers:

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely

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 #13 : Synonyms

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

Annually

Possible Answers:

Monthly

Yearly

Weekly

Daily

Hourly

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:

Often

Rarely

Spontaneously

Potentially

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 #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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:

quickly

unsurely

sporadically

fairly

intently

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 #16 : Synonyms

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

NATURALLY

Possible Answers:

Angrily

Temporarily

Genuinely

Slyly

Quickly

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: Adjectives

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

INSTANTANEOUSLY

Possible Answers:

Devotedly

Figuratively

Regularly

Immediately

Helpfully

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 #11 : Synonyms

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

INTERIOR

Possible Answers:

Amplified

Inside

Pensive

Complete

Outgoing

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 #12 : Synonyms

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

EXTRACT

Possible Answers:

Remove

Persuade

Inter

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 #13 : Synonyms

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

IRRESPONSIBLE

Possible Answers:

Mature

Immense

Immature

Miniature

Gigantic

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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