ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Timing, Speed, Movement, And Age

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

SWIFT

Possible Answers:

Run

Dance

Slow

Speedy

Correct answer:

Speedy

Explanation:

The correct answer is "speedy," or in a quick manner, as "swift" means occurring or moving very quickly. "Slow" is an opposite of "swift" and "dance" is not related in meaning to "swift" at all. While to "run" does mean to move quickly, "run" is a verb and "swift" is an adjective, so their meanings are very different.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Timing, Speed, Movement, And Age

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

SLUGGISH

Possible Answers:

Slug

Active

Stiff

Slow

Correct answer:

Slow

Explanation:

The word "sluggish" means slow or lazy. "Slow" is the best choice, as it is a part of the definition of "sluggish." Considering the other choices, "stiff" means rigidWhile it may seem related, the word "sluggish" describes some sort of motion, though very little, while "stiff" does not. "Active" is an antonym of the word "sluggish." "Slug" is only related because sluggish means slug-like, as in as slow as a slug.

Example Question #421 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

NIMBLE

Possible Answers:

Agile

Robotic

Indifferent

Correct

Correct answer:

Agile

Explanation:

"Nimble" means quick and agile. "Agile" is the best choice because it means easily able to move quickly and is part of the definition of "nimble." Considering the other choices, "robotic" means acting in an unchanging and unemotional manner, like a robot, "correct" means right or trueand "indifferent" means not caring. 

Example Question #422 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

IDLE

Possible Answers:

Deter

Stationary

Hidden

Vex

Correct answer:

Stationary

Explanation:

"Idle" means unmoving or not active. "Stationary" is the best choice because it also means unmoving. Considering the other choices, "hidden" means not in plain sight, "deter" means restrain from doing, and "vex" means anger or annoy.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Timing, Speed, Movement, And Age

Synonyms: Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

REGULAR

Possible Answers:

Atypical

Trite

Usual

Regulated

Correct answer:

Usual

Explanation:

"Regular" is an adjective that means occurring at even intervalsfrequent, or usual. So, the answer choice closest in meaning to "regular" is "usual," an adjective that means typically occurring. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "regular": "atypical" is an antonym of "regular" and means not typical; "regulated" means controlled; and "trite" means unoriginal.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Timing, Speed, Movement, And Age

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

SLUGGISH

Possible Answers:

Lacking energy 

Lacking intelligence

Lacking money 

Lacking direction

Lacking friendship 

Correct answer:

Lacking energy 

Explanation:

“Sluggish” means tired, lethargic and lacking energy.

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Timing, Speed, Movement, And Age

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

SLUGGISH

Possible Answers:

Lazy

Depressed

Dull

Debilitated

Correct answer:

Lazy

Explanation:

Someone who is "sluggish" is lazy and slow, so "lazy" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "sluggish": "debilitated" means weakened or hindered; "depressed" means feeling sad over a period of time or having the condition depression; and "dull" means boring or blunt.

Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Timing, Speed, Movement, And Age

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

MATURE

Possible Answers:

False

Unimportant

Dependable

Greying

Ancient

Correct answer:

Dependable

Explanation:

The word "mature" or "maturity" are used to describe the character traits that come to something as it ages. In some ways, we talk about "mature" people, but in others, we can talk about "mature" fruits or cheese—cheese or fruits that have "come of age" and are now usesful. A number of the options try to trick you into choosing an answer based merely on age. Remember, though, maturity does not necessarily come with age. For example, you might know someone who is twenty years older than you but who never does any work and always relies upon other people. We would be quite wrong to call such a person mature.

Certainly, we can talk about "emotional maturity," which is a type of maturity. Someone who always gets angry or moody is probably not very emotionally mature. However, another general meaning for "mature" is "dependable." A mature person is someone who accepts responsibilities and can be depended upon to follow through on promises. This is the best option among those options given.

Example Question #431 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

INCESSANT:

Possible Answers:

meaningful

impermanent

finite

abrupt

continual

Correct answer:

continual

Explanation:

For something to be incessant, it means that it is continual.  For instance, an incessant noise indicates that the noise repeats itself.

Example Question #432 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

A synonym of "inconvenient" is __________.

Possible Answers:

timely

inopportune

frequent

persuasive

demanding

Correct answer:

inopportune

Explanation:

"Inconvenient" is an adjective consisting of the negative prefix "in-" and "convenient," so we can infer that it means something like "not convenient"; it actually means "causing trouble, difficulties, or discomfort." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not convenient" or "causing trouble." "Timely," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "timely" is an adjective that means "done or occurring at a favorable or useful time; opportune," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "inconvenient." "Inopportune," however, is an adjective that consists of the negative prefix "in-" and "opportune," so it means "not opportune," or more specifically, "occurring at an inconvenient or inappropriate time." Because "inopportune" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "inconvenient," "inopportune" is the correct answer.

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