All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #141 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BREVITY
Pompousness
Shortness
Preeminence
Piety
Sanctimony
Shortness
The prefix "brev-" comes from "brief" and means short or quick. “Brevity” means shortness, briefness. To provide further help, “pompous” means proud and arrogant; “preeminent” means highly regarded, in charge, most distinguished; “sanctimonious” and “pious” are synonyms of one another and both mean self-righteous.
Example Question #142 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TIRADE
Conversation
Opinion
Information
Rant
Help
Rant
"Tirade" is a noun that means "a long, angry speech of criticism or accusation," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like " a long, angry speech." While "conversation" has to do with speech just like "tirade" does, "conversation" means "an informal talk involving two people or a small group of people : the act of talking in an informal way," so it cannot be the correct answer because "conversation" does not include any angry connotations like "diatribe" does, and it's a conversation in which two people participate instead of a one-sided speech like "tirade" describes. "Rant," however, when used as a noun, means "a spell of ranting; a tirade," and when used as a verb, it means "speak or shout at length in a wild, impassioned way." Because "rant" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "tirade," "rant" is the correct answer.
Example Question #143 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AMITY
Obedience
Crudeness
Equality
Fellowship
Allure
Fellowship
"Amity" means peace or friendship. The answer choice closest in meaning to "amity" is "fellowship" since it indicates camraderie or companionship. As for the other choices, "allure" is attraction; "crudeness" is roughness; equality refers to the concept of giving everyone equal treatment; and obedience is the quality of complying with requests and demands.
Example Question #144 : Identifying Synonyms
A synonym of "income" is __________.
financial
debt
barter
fiscal
salary
salary
Since "income" is a noun that means money received on a regular basis for work, we're looking for another noun that also means earnings. "Debt" may sound like a potential answer because it is a noun that has to do with finances and often discussed along with "income," but "debt" refers to money that is owed to someone else, so it is actually an antonym of income and not the correct answer. "Salary," on the other hand, means a fixed regular payment made by an employer to an employee, so it is the closest in meaning to "income" and the correct answer.
Example Question #145 : Identifying Synonyms
A synonym of "condolence" is __________.
mentor
pardon
indifference
compassion
severity
compassion
"Condolence" is a noun that is usually used in its plural form and means "an expression of sympathy, especially on the occasion of a death." So, we need to pick out an answer that means something like "an expression or sympathy." "Indifference," then, cannot be the correct answer because "indifference" is a noun that can mean "lack of interest, concern, or sympathy," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "condolence." "Compassion," however, is a noun that can mean "sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others," and because "compassion" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "condolence," "compassion" is the correct answer.
Example Question #146 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
INTUITION
Reason
Latitude
Entrapment
Instinct
Daze
Instinct
"Intuition" is defined as the power of knowing something immediately without conscious reasoning. The best match for this is "instict," which means innate knowledge.
Example Question #147 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
ADJUNCT
Addition
Juncture
Division
Junk
Addition
An "adjunct" is something that is added on to something that already exists. The best choice is "addition" because something that is an "adjunct" is an "addition" to something else. Considering the other choices, a "division" is a separation, "junk" is something of little value or things of little value, and a "juncture" is a point at which two things are joined.
Example Question #148 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
PROPOSAL
Trek
Suggestion
Salute
Subtle
Standard
Suggestion
A "proposal" is also known as a suggestion, so "suggestion" is the correct answer.
Example Question #149 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
INCENTIVE
Garrulous
Barrage
Banal
Insipid
Motivation
Motivation
"Incentive" is motivation or the reason behind doing something, so "motivation" is the correct answer. To help you, "garrulous" means talkative, "barrage" means overwhelm with a repeated attack, and "insipid" means dull or banal.
Example Question #150 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
CONUNDRUM
Cusp
Instrument
Enlightenment
Enigma
Enigma
A "conundrum" is something that is very difficult to understand. The best choice is "enigma," which means a person or thing that is very difficult to understand. Considering the other choices, "instrument" means an object or tool used to perform a task, often specifically to perform music, "cusp" means edge, and "enlightenment" means the state of having gained knowledge.