ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #311 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DECEPTIVE

Possible Answers:

Unexpected

Illegal

Thieving

Forceful

Illusory

Correct answer:

Illusory

Explanation:

Whenever we deceive someone, we trick or lie to him or her.  Thus, something that is "deceptive" is something that we could call "tricky." A deceptive person is someone who manipulates with lies. A deceptive appearance is something that looks one way, though it really is not in fact that way. For example, a building might look deceptively tall when it is, in fact, quite short. Thus, it creates an illusion. This is why "illusory" is a good synonym for "deceptive."

Example Question #673 : Synonyms

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

INSIPID

Possible Answers:

Obstinate

Boring

Healthy

Lavish

Prosperous

Correct answer:

Boring

Explanation:

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

Example Question #58 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

A synonym of "irate" is __________.

Possible Answers:

furious

moving

lumbering

icy

awkward

Correct answer:

furious

Explanation:

"Irate" is an verb that means "feeling or characterized by great anger." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "angry." "Furious" is an adjective that means either "extremely angry" or "full of anger or energy; violent or intense," and because it is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "irate," "furious" is the correct answer.

Example Question #312 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "glum" is __________.

Possible Answers:

bright

bitter

melancholy

inveterate

quiet

Correct answer:

melancholy

Explanation:

"Glum" is an adjective that means "looking or feeling dejected; morose." So, we need to pick out a answer choice that means something like "morose." While "quiet" might look like a potentially correct answer because someone who is morose might also be quiet, "morose" does not mean the same thing as "quiet," so "quiet" cannot be the correct answer. "Melancholy," however, when used as an adjective, means either "having a feeling of melancholy; sad and pensive" or " causing or expressing sadness; depressing." Because "melancholy" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "glum," "melancholy" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

LIVID

Possible Answers:

Sullen

Bashful

Apathetic

Angered

Morose

Correct answer:

Angered

Explanation:

If someone is "livid," they are extremely angered by a situation or person in particular. So, "angered" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

STOIC

Possible Answers:

Unemotional

Cooked

Stove

Chair

Correct answer:

Unemotional

Explanation:

The word "stoic" means not showing emotion. The best choice is "unemotional," which means not demonstrating emotions or not having emotions. Considering the other choices, a "stove" is a machine that generates heat for use, "cooked" means prepared by use of heat, and a "chair" is a seat.

Example Question #313 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LEERY

Possible Answers:

Cowardly

Untrustworthy

Distrustful 

Loyal

Naive

Correct answer:

Distrustful 

Explanation:

"Leery" means distrustful of others or of a situation. For example, one might say, "The young woman was leery of the teenagers who hung out around the park and kept sneaking glances at her purse." So, "distrustful" is the correct answer.

Example Question #679 : Synonyms

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

IRATE

Possible Answers:

Positive

Doubtful

Judgemental

Angry

Correct answer:

Angry

Explanation:

The word "irate" means angry. The best choice is "angry," as it is a part of the definition of "irate."

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

TRANQUIL

Possible Answers:

Bed

Cozy

Peaceful

Quilt

Correct answer:

Peaceful

Explanation:

The word "tranquil" means peaceful. The best choice is "peaceful" because it is a part of the definition of "tranquil." Considering the other choices, "cozy" means warm and comfortable, a "quilt" is a bedspread, and a "bed" is a piece of furniture designed to be slept on.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

WARY

Possible Answers:

Cautious 

Enchanting

Garrulous 

Witty 

Rakish 

Correct answer:

Cautious 

Explanation:

"Wary" means cautious, worried, or careful, so "cautious" is the correct answer. To help you, "garrulous" means talkative, "enchanting" means charming, "rakish" means dashing and attractive, and "witty" means quick with words and clever.

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