ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #101 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

ANGUISH

Possible Answers:

Torment 

Toil 

Clarity 

Fundamental 

Tenacious 

Correct answer:

Torment 

Explanation:

"Anguish" is a feeling of sustained pain and suffering, and as such, it is most similar in meaning to "torment." To help you, "toil" means work or labor, "fundamental" means basic or simple but very important, "tenacious" means stubborn or firm, and clarity means clearness, precision, or understanding.

Example Question #102 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

BREVITY

Possible Answers:

Clamor

Strangeness

Hostile

Shortness

Correct answer:

Shortness

Explanation:

"Brevity" is shortness, specifically either shortness of a duration of time or shortness of a written text. The best choice is "shortness" because it is a part of the definition of "brevity." Considering the other choices, "hostile" means not friendly, "strangeness" means the quality of being weird or unusual, and a "clamor" is a loud outcry.

Example Question #103 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

KISMET

Possible Answers:

Secret

Shun

Faith

Fate

Correct answer:

Fate

Explanation:

The word "kismet" means fate or destiny. The best choice is "fate," as it is a part of the definition of "kismet." Considering the other choices, "faith" is confidence or trust in something, "shun" means avoid, and "secret" means done without the knowledge of others when used as an adjective, or certain information kept from others when used as a noun.

Example Question #104 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PLATITUDE

Possible Answers:

Plate

Cliché

Invention

Event

Correct answer:

Cliché

Explanation:

A "platitude" is an overused saying. The best choice is "cliché," which means an overused phrase or saying.

Example Question #104 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

TEMERITY

Possible Answers:

Loose

Boldness

Visible

Harmony

Correct answer:

Boldness

Explanation:

"Temerity" is another word for reckless courage or boldness. The best choice is "boldness" because it is a part of the definition of "temerity." Considering the other choices, "harmony" is agreement, "loose" means free or released from attachment, and "visible" means possible to see.

Example Question #105 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

TREASON

Possible Answers:

Editorial

Warden

Habitat

Betrayal

Passage

Correct answer:

Betrayal

Explanation:

"Treason" means betrayal or disloyalty to one's country, so "betrayal" is the correct answer. A "passage" is a narrow path used to reach a location. "Warden" means the official who runs a prison. "Habitat" means the home or area where an animal or plant lives. An "editorial" is an opinionated article published by a newspaper or news source, and when used as an adjective, "editorial" means having to do with the editing of written works in preparation for their publication.

Example Question #106 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

GOSSIP

Possible Answers:

Matinee

Paleontologist

Rumor

Jealousy

Hemisphere

Correct answer:

Rumor

Explanation:

"Gossip" is rumor or information that is covertly passed around, often about a particular person, that has not necessarily been substantiated. A "hemisphere" is one half of a globe or sphere, as you may have guessed from the word's use of the prefix "hemi-," which means half. "Jealousy" is a feeling of envy or wanting something another person has. A "paleontologist" is a scientist who studies fossils. A "matinee" is a performance or movie held during the afternoon that often costs less to attend than an evening event of the same type.

Example Question #107 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

ADAGE

Possible Answers:

Carouse

Gain

Saying

Divulgence

Correct answer:

Saying

Explanation:

An "adage" is a common expression. "Saying," which means an expression commonly said by a group, is the best choice. Considering the other choices, "gain" means profit, "divulgence" means making something private known, and "carouse" means party loudly and excessively.

Example Question #108 : Synonyms: Nouns

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters.

PLETHORA

Possible Answers:

Scarce

Excess

Obliterate

Nullify

Gumption

Correct answer:

Excess

Explanation:

A “plethora” is an excess of things; having more of something than you need. To provide further guidance, "scarce" means little or rare; "nullify" means cancel, render void, invalidate; "gumption" is confidence and bravado; "obliterate" means completely destroy.

Example Question #109 : Synonyms: Nouns

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters.

BULLETIN

Possible Answers:

Abdication

Resignation

Resettlement

Rebuttal

Announcement

Correct answer:

Announcement

Explanation:

A "bulletin" is an announcement. To help you, a "rebuttal" is a speech given in reply during an argument or debate; "resignation" means notice given when quitting a job; "abdication" means to give up the throne; "resettlement" is a name given to somewhere people used to live that people are now moving back to.

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