ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Middle 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.

BLUNT

Possible Answers:

Local

Fraying

Sharpened

Honest

Nasty

Correct answer:

Honest

Explanation:

The word "blunt" is a kind of antonym for "sharp." Whenever something is "blunt," it is flat—like a blunt club used for hitting other people. The word can be used to describe physical objects, but it also is able to describe personality traits. A "blunt" person is someone whose words can "hit you like a flat board of wood." Such a person is honest—so honest that he or she doesn't "hold anything back."

Example Question #12 : Synonyms

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

SETTLED

Possible Answers:

Expected

Detailed

Excellent

Determined

Visited

Correct answer:

Determined

Explanation:

You certainly know the "physical" and literal meaning of "settling." Whenever you "settle" into a location, you start to inhabit that place. Thus, "settlers" are new inhabitants or colonists. Whenever someone is said to "settle" on an opinion, he or she decides to have one or the other opinion on a matter. A person who is of "settled" opinion is someone who has a determined and decided opinion on the matter. Hence, "determined" is an acceptable synonym for this question.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms

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

REMOTE

Possible Answers:

Return

Linear

Spatial

Detached

Electronic

Correct answer:

Detached

Explanation:

Whenever something is "remote," it exists at a distance. Thus, a "remote" star is a star that is far away, and a "remote control" is a kind of device that we use to control something at a particular distance. A person can be described as being "remote" as well. Such a person has an attitude that makes him or her seem distant. He or she could also be described as being "detached" or aloof.

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

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

SLEEK

Possible Answers:

Random

Oily

Fatty

Uncorrupted

Elegant

Correct answer:

Elegant

Explanation:

When something is "sleek," it is smooth. We do use the adjective to describe things like "sleek hair", often implying that it has a kind of oiled, smooth look. The primary meaning of "sleek" is smooth. Now, this meaning can then be extended to mean elegant or graceful—like smooth lines that are well drawn. This is the only option that works for this question.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

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

RIGID

Possible Answers:

Constructed

Useful

Pliable

Mounted

Unchangeable

Correct answer:

Unchangeable

Explanation:

Whenever something is "rigid," it is unbending. A rigid piece of wood is one that is very stiff. We use the word also to describe someone's habits. A person of "rigid" habits is a person who does not change his or her ways of acting. This is the sense in which the word is being used here. None of the other options match the notion of being rigid except for "unchangeable." 

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

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

RADIANT

Possible Answers:

Animated

Jubilant

Seasonal

Plain

Intricate

Correct answer:

Jubilant

Explanation:

The word "radiant" comes from Latin roots meaning to shine or (more obviously) to put out rays. Hence, we speak of the sun as being "radiant" because it shines out "light rays." Likewise, we talk about "radiant heating" because the source of heat puts out infrared rays (or "heat rays"). This word can also be used to describe someone who is very happy, as when we say, "Thomas was radiant when he was told that he won the award." This is the meaning for this question, and "jubilant" is a good synonym, as it means full of joy. Think of it like someone shining with "joy rays"!

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

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

CIRCULATE

Possible Answers:

Communicate

Bleed

Seep

Embody

Placate

Correct answer:

Communicate

Explanation:

You are likely most familiar with the word "circulate" from its use in biology or anatomy. Blood circulates in the body, meaning that it "goes around" through the whole body. As the word clearly indicates, it makes the "complete circuit" or the "full circle" of the body.

However, things like news can be said to circulate as well. By this, we mean that the news "gets out." Whenever a rumor circulates, it is told to many people. Hence, the word "circulate" can have "communicate" as a synonym. Do not be tricked by the options that seem to be related to anatomy as well as blood—such as "embodied," "bleed," and "seep." None of these words are directly about the actual movement of things, as is indicated by the word "circulate."

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

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

CEMENT

Possible Answers:

Build

Establish

Pave

Crumble

Position

Correct answer:

Establish

Explanation:

The word "cement" is most familiar when it is used to describe the kind of hard material that we often see in sidewalks and as a general building material; however, the word generally indicates the process or material that helps something to "stay in place." Hence, as a verb, you can even use the word "cement" to describe something like a business agreement or a relationship. Multiple people can get together to put together an agreement. When it is "cemented," it has been firmly established. You can think of it like being "rock-hard" like the building material with which you are likely familiar.

Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

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

BURIED

Possible Answers:

Departed

Dead

Descended

Deteriorated

Concealed

Correct answer:

Concealed

Explanation:

We tend to think of being "buried" in terms of physical burial. Whenever someone dies, his or her body is buried in the ground. This means that it is placed under the soil. It is this general sense of "placing under" that is the root of the meaning being used here. Whenever someone "buries" his or her feelings, that person hides them—sometimes even from himself or herself. Hence, the word "buried" could have "concealed" for one of its synonyms, as it does in this question.

Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

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

SLEEK

Possible Answers:

Regal

Wealthy

Industrious

Stylish

Unblemished

Correct answer:

Stylish

Explanation:

When something is "sleek," it is very clean and smooth. It is often used to describe the kind of smooth hair that a person or animal can have when we say that it is "slicked back"; however, this kind of clean and smooth appearance can also indicate that something is "in style" or at least elegant (as opposed to something that is a total mess). This is the way "sleek" is being used in this question, for the only acceptable option is "stylish."

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