ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #251 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MALADY

Possible Answers:

Sickness

Damsel

Antidote

Diagnosis

Tincture

Correct answer:

Sickness

Explanation:

The word "malady" comes from the Latin word for bad, "malus." Someone who is "maleficent" is someone who wants to cause harm. Whenever someone is filled with "malice," he or she is filled with ill-will, meaning that he or she wants to harm others. A "malady" is something bad—namely, an illness. Hence, the best option among those provided is "sickness."

Example Question #252 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FACADE

Possible Answers:

Mystery

Illusion

Fear

Building

Remainder

Correct answer:

Illusion

Explanation:

"Facade" is defined as an illusion or false appearance of something. The other word choices are not synonyms for "facade." "Fear" is an emotion of terror, "mystery" is a puzzle or enigma, "remainder" is a surplus, and a "building" is a structure.

Example Question #253 : Identifying Synonyms

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

I was impressed by the dog's ________________; he was able to jump over hurdles and sprint with ease. 

Possible Answers:

Affability

Friendliness

Candor

Posture

Agility

Correct answer:

Agility

Explanation:

"Agility" is "nimbleness," or ease of movement, which makes this the correct answer. "Candor" means frankness and "affability" means geniality, which is similar to "friendliness." "Posture" is unrelated to these definitions and refers to the position of a body.

Example Question #254 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VEX

Possible Answers:

Validate

Annoy

Stifle

Attack

Deliver

Correct answer:

Annoy

Explanation:

"Vex" is defined as to irritate or anger, which matches the answer choice "annoy." "Attack" is too strong of a synonym and means instead to assault or strike. "Validate," "deliver," and "stifle" are not related to the word "Vex."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

TUMULTUOUS

Possible Answers:

Colorful

Boisterous

Wordy

Tall

Correct answer:

Boisterous

Explanation:

The word "tumultuous" means incredibly loud and disorderly. The word "boisterous" is the best choice because it means rough and noisy and is the closest in definition to "tumultuous." Considering the other choices, "colorful" means having many colors, "tall" means great in height or length, and "wordy" refers to written works and means too lengthy.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

INSIPID

Possible Answers:

Boring

Healthy

Obstinate

Prosperous

Lavish

Correct answer:

Boring

Explanation:

"Insipid" means lacking interest or flavor, which is closest in meaning to "boring."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

TEPID

Possible Answers:

Loud

Indigenous

Lukewarm

Boisterous

Novel

Correct answer:

Lukewarm

Explanation:

"Tepid" is an adjective that can mean either "showing little enthusiasm" or "only slightly warm," especially when referring to liquids. Neither "loud" nor "boisterous" can't be the correct answer because they are each opposites of "showing little enthusiasm," but "lukewarm" is used of liquids or foods that should be hot and means "only moderately warm." So, because "lukewarm" is synonymous with the second meaning of "tepid," "lukewarm" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

LITHE

Possible Answers:

Gentle

Precarious

Awkward

Long

Agile

Correct answer:

Agile

Explanation:

"Lithe" is an adjective that refers to someone who is "flexible and supple, able to move the body lightly and gracefully." Even though "lithe" sounds like "length," long does not imply grace or agility, so that's not correct. Awkward and precarious are antonyms, and gentle describes how someone behaves, not a quality of their body. Therefore, the closest answer is "agile."

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

MURKY

Possible Answers:

Scarce

Cloudy

Indifferent

Dogged

Renowned

Correct answer:

Cloudy

Explanation:

"Murky" means clouded or depressing and gloomy, so "clouded" is the correct answer. "Dogged" means persistent or determined. "Renowned" means well-known or famous. "Scarce" means rare due to there not being enough of something. "Indifferent" means detached and uninterested.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

A synonym of "nimble" is __________.

Possible Answers:

honorary

deft

daft

welcoming

meticulous

Correct answer:

deft

Explanation:

"Nimble" is an adjective meaning "quick and light in movement or action; agile" or "quick to comprehend" when describing the mind. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that is an adjective that means something like "quick and agile" or "quick to comprehend." While "deft" and "daft" look and sound quite similar, "daft" means "silly; foolish" or "infatuated with," while "deft" means "neatly skillful and quick in one's movements" or "demonstrating skill and cleverness." Because "deft" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "nimble," "deft" is the correct answer.

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