ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Synonyms

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

CLASS

Possible Answers:

Scholarship

Group

Education

Flight

Distance

Correct answer:

Group

Explanation:

The word "class" is primarily used to describe a group of people or things. Thus, on a plane, "first class" is the group of passengers who have the most expensive tickets. In school, a "class" is a group of students. Note, however, that "class" is not synonymous with "education" or "scholarship."  These options are trying to trick you!

Example Question #52 : Synonyms

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

FINE

Possible Answers:

Cold

Denied

Punished

Dusty

Forgetful

Correct answer:

Dusty

Explanation:

The word "fine" has many meanings. Do not be tempted by "punished". Yes, a "fine" is a punishment; however, that is a noun use, while "punished" is an adjective. The best option, perhaps surprisingly, is "dusty."  If you had powder that you would call "fine," this would be very dusty powder. This is the best option among those given.

Example Question #53 : Synonyms

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

EXAMPLE

Possible Answers:

Distance

Surprise

Model

Excitement

Expected

Correct answer:

Model

Explanation:

In general, the word "example" means a particular case or specimen. For example, you can say, "The word 'greet' is an example of a verb, but you can also use the word "example" in the sense of "a model" (to be imitated). For instance, you could say, "Regis' actions were an example for his younger brother to follow." This means that Regis' actions were a model for his younger brother.

Example Question #54 : Synonyms

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

MOVE

Possible Answers:

Inspire

Place

Grab

Discuss

Take

Correct answer:

Inspire

Explanation:

Likely, you are thinking of the meaning of "move" as in "to move from one place to another"; however, the word "move" can also be used in several other senses. For this question, the sense is, to inspire, as when we say, "That was a moving discussion." In this example, "moving" means inspiring. Do not be tricked by options like "grab," "take," or "place." All of these have to do with physical locations, but they do not have to do with moving in any immediate sense.

Example Question #53 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

ENHANCE

Possible Answers:

Adjust

Change

Magnify

Exchange

Foist

Correct answer:

Magnify

Explanation:

You likely use the word "enhance" to mean to improve. For example, you might say, "The new phone was enhanced by many new features;" however, you could also think of such improvement as being a kind of "enlargening" of the quality of the thing in question. Thus, sometimes, people will speak of something that is "enhanced" by becoming bigger. Thus, the word "magnify" can be used as a synonym. You might use "enhanced" in this way when saying, "The new ingredients enhanced the already excellent flavors," and mean, "The new ingredients made the already excellent flavors even more powerful." This is a kind of "magnification," for you can say, "The new ingredients magnified the flavors."

Example Question #55 : Synonyms

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

GRASP

Possible Answers:

Push

Recall

Force

Comprehend

Educate

Correct answer:

Comprehend

Explanation:

Although we use the word "grasp" in a physical sense, it also has a metaphorical meaning that is related to this. When we "grasp an idea," we mean that we understand it. Another way of saying that you understand something is to say that you comprehend it. (This actually means that you really understand it.)  Do not be fooled by options like "shove" and "force."  These do not even match the basic, physical meaning of "grasp."

Example Question #11 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

STUN

Possible Answers:

Hit

Slap

Punch

Arrive

Amaze

Correct answer:

Amaze

Explanation:

When someone is "stunned," he or she is unable to move. Therefore, you might be tempted to pick one of the trap options given to this question. Do not be fooled into thinking that "stun" has to do with hurting someone. Therefore, we need to look for another sense to the word. Well, when someone tells someone something surprising, he or she is said to stun the other person if the other person doesn't know how to react. (The person is indeed stopped and unable to move or think!) Thus, we can stun someone with amazing news.  The verb "amaze" is a good synonym for this reason. When you "amaze" someone, that person is likely unable to respond at first because of his or her surprise.

Example Question #56 : Synonyms

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

INTENSE

Possible Answers:

Regular

Passionate

Annoyed

Angry

Attentive

Correct answer:

Passionate

Explanation:

We often use the word "intense" to describe something that is very strong. An intense fire is one that is really hot. Someone can have an "intense personality," meaning that he or she is very passionate. That is the sense of the word being used in the one correct option offered here. Do not be tempted by "angry" or even "attentive." These do not indicate the general sense of strength that is indicated by the term "intensity."

Example Question #13 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

STELLAR

Possible Answers:

Outstanding

Elderly

Experimental

Visible

Scientific

Correct answer:

Outstanding

Explanation:

The word "stellar" comes from the Latin stella, meaning star. Thus, we can use "stellar" to describe things that pertain to space. Thus, "stellar readings" are observations about the stars. We also use the word informally to mean very excellent. We even see this kind of meaning when we say, "He was a music star," meaning that the person was very highly regarded for music skill. Thus, a good synonym for "stellar" is "outstanding."

Example Question #14 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

ORIGINAL

Possible Answers:

Boring

Tedious

Surprising

Creative

Repetitive

Correct answer:

Creative

Explanation:

The word "original" can have several meanings, though they are related. In one sense, we say that the "original running shoe" was the very first shoe of its kind.  To be "original" is to be first—it is to be at the origin or beginning of something. When someone is "creative," he or she makes new things that others have never made before. That is why we can say that an original person is creative. An "original idea" is one that has never been thought of before; therefore, it is likely very creative. This is the only option that expresses some meaning directly related to "original."

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