ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #181 : Synonyms: Nouns

A synonym of "rancor" is . . .

Possible Answers:

opportunity

resentment

teasing

anger

energy

Correct answer:

resentment

Explanation:

"Rancor" is a noun that means "bitterness or resentfulness, especially when long-standing." While "teasing" and "anger" both have negative connotations similar to that of "rancor," only "resentment," which means "bitter indignation at having been treated unfairly," is close in meaning to "rancor," so "resentment" is the correct answer.

Example Question #182 : Synonyms: Nouns

A synonym of "hiatus" is __________.

Possible Answers:

continuation

worship

participation

break

meddle

Correct answer:

break

Explanation:

"Hiatus" is a noun that means "a pause or gap in a sequence, series, or process," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "a pause or gap." "Continuation," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "continuation" means "the action of carrying something on over a period of time or the process of being carried on," making it an antonym of "hiatus." "Break," however, when used as a noun, can mean "a pause in work or during an activity or event," and because "break" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "hiatus," "break" is the correct answer.

Example Question #183 : Synonyms: Nouns

A synonym of "gratification" is __________.

Possible Answers:

satisfaction

impatience

surprise

confusion

disappointment

Correct answer:

satisfaction

Explanation:

"Gratification" is a noun that can mean either "pleasure, especially when gained from the satisfaction of a desire" or "a source of pleasure." So, we need to pick out a noun that means something like "pleasure." "Disappointment," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "disappointment" means either "the feeling of sadness or displeasure caused by the nonfulfillment of one's hopes or expectations" or "a person, event, or thing that causes disappointment," making"disappointment" an antonym, not a synonym, of "gratification." "Satisfaction," however, is a noun that means "fulfillment of one's wishes, expectations, or needs, or the pleasure derived from this," and because "satisfaction" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "gratification," "satisfaction" is the correct answer.

Example Question #184 : Synonyms: Nouns

A synonym of "clarification" is __________.

Possible Answers:

complication

explanation

disaster

freedom

silence

Correct answer:

explanation

Explanation:

"Clarification" is a noun that means "the action of making a statement or situation less confused and more comprehensible" or "a statement resulting from this." So, we need to pick out a noun that means something like "the action of making something more comprehensible." So, that means that "complication" cannot be the correct answer, because "complication" can mean "a circumstance that complicates something; a difficulty" or "an involved or confused condition or state," but not "the action of making something more comprehensible." "Explanation," however, is a noun that means either "a statement or account that makes something clear" or "a reason or justification given for an action or belief." Because "explanation" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "clarification," "explanation" is the correct answer.

Example Question #185 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

PERSONA

Possible Answers:

Ghost

People

Character

Life

Correct answer:

Character

Explanation:

The word "persona" refers to a character. "Character" is the best choice because it is a part of the definition of "persona." Considering the other options, "people" does not work here because, although "persona" can refer to a person, it refers to just one person, while "people" refers to a group of persons. "Life" is unrelated to this word, and "ghost" refers to an animate spirit or soul of someone who is deceased.

Example Question #186 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

REMNANT

Possible Answers:

Removal

Remains

Determination

Remedial

Extraterrestrial

Correct answer:

Remains

Explanation:

A "remnant" is a part of something that is leftover after the larger or original part no longer exists. Therefore, "remains" is the correct answer. 

Example Question #187 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LOGIC

Possible Answers:

Toughness

Code

Math

Reason

Correct answer:

Reason

Explanation:

The word "logic" means reason. "Reason" is the best choice because it is a part of the definition of "logic."

Example Question #188 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CATASTROPHE

Possible Answers:

Demonstration

Disaster

Celebration

Surprise

Correct answer:

Disaster

Explanation:

A "catastrophe" is a great disaster, and a "disaster" is a large, awful event, so "disaster" is the correct answer.

Example Question #187 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

GENRE

Possible Answers:

Culture

Belief

Generic

Idea

Type

Correct answer:

Type

Explanation:

"Genre" means category or type. Therefore, "type" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "genre."

Example Question #551 : Synonyms

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

FEUD

Possible Answers:

Fight

Consensus

Discussion 

Examination 

Process

Correct answer:

Fight

Explanation:

A "feud" is a disagreement or a "fight."

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