ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #141 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BREVITY

Possible Answers:

Pompousness

Shortness

Preeminence

Piety

Sanctimony

Correct answer:

Shortness

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Conversation

Opinion

Information

Rant

Help

Correct answer:

Rant

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Obedience

Crudeness

Equality

Fellowship

Allure

Correct answer:

Fellowship

Explanation:

"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 __________.

Possible Answers:

financial

debt

barter

fiscal

salary

Correct answer:

salary

Explanation:

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 __________.

Possible Answers:

mentor

pardon

indifference

compassion

severity

Correct answer:

compassion

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Reason

Latitude

Entrapment

Instinct

Daze

Correct answer:

Instinct

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Addition

Juncture

Division

Junk

Correct answer:

Addition

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Trek

Suggestion

Salute

Subtle

Standard

Correct answer:

Suggestion

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Garrulous 

Barrage 

Banal 

Insipid 

Motivation 

Correct answer:

Motivation 

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Cusp

Instrument

Enlightenment

Enigma

Correct answer:

Enigma

Explanation:

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.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors