ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #551 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

FACILE

Possible Answers:

Terrific 

Abhorrent

Grotesque 

Simplistic

Banal 

Correct answer:

Simplistic

Explanation:

The word “facile” means very simple or easy. This is closest in meaning to “simplistic,” which means very simple. To provide further help, “abhorrent” means grotesque, horrific; “grotesque” means horrifying and repulsive; “banal” means boring or ordinary

Example Question #297 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

BENIGN

Possible Answers:

Mercy

Kind

Harmless

Harsh

Correct answer:

Harmless

Explanation:

The word "benign" means harmless. The best choice is "harmless" because it is a part of the definition of "benign."

Example Question #297 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ORNATE

Possible Answers:

Full

Plain

Empty

Decorated

Correct answer:

Decorated

Explanation:

"Ornate" is an adjective that means elaborate, so the answer choice closest in meaning to "ornate" is "decorated," an adjective meaning attractive or ornamental. Considering the other answer choices, none are close in meaning to "ornate": "plain" means clear; "empty" means vacant or not containing anything; and "full" means complete or containing as much as a container can.

Example Question #915 : Synonyms

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

INTRICATE

Possible Answers:

Intimate

Mysterious

Complex

Misleading

Sneaky

Correct answer:

Complex

Explanation:

"Intricate" means complicated or complex, so "complex" is the correct answer. 

Example Question #301 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

FLORID

Possible Answers:

Ornate

Verdant

Avoidable

Passionate

Fortunate

Correct answer:

Ornate

Explanation:

"Florid" is an adjective that either means reddish or more complicated than is necessary, so "ornate" is the correct answer. "Verdant" (lush and green) may look like a potentially correct answer because "florid" does derive from the Latin for "flower"; however, the modern meaning of "florid" does not have to do with flowers, so "verdant" is not the correct answer.

Example Question #302 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

COLOSSAL

Possible Answers:

Serendipitous 

Tiny 

Immense 

Circumstantial

Miniscule 

Correct answer:

Immense 

Explanation:

"Colossal" means very big, so the correct answer is “immense,” which means huge or severe. To further help you, "miniscule" is a synonym of tiny and is the origin of the word “mini;” "serendipitous" means unexpected good fortune; "circumstantial" means incidental or owed to specific circumstances.

Example Question #552 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MINUSCULE

Possible Answers:

Corrupt

Vast

Predictable

Tiny

Nimble

Correct answer:

Tiny

Explanation:

"Minuscule" means very small, so "tiny" is the best match. "Vast" usually refers to areas of land or bodies of water and means very wide, so it is an antonym, or opposite, of "minuscule."

Example Question #304 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

DORMANT

Possible Answers:

Energetic

Deplorable

Asleep

Exhausted

Domesticated

Correct answer:

Asleep

Explanation:

“Dormant” means asleep or in a period of inactivity, so "quiescent" is the correct answer, as "quiescent" means dormant or inactive. As for the other answer choices, “energetic” means full of energy; “domestic” means having to do with the home or tamed and not wild; “deplorable” means heinous and inexcusable; and “exhausted” means very tired or used up.

Example Question #553 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ANCILLARY

Possible Answers:

Supplementary

Toxic

Docile

Angular

Complementary

Correct answer:

Supplementary

Explanation:

“Ancillary” means not necessary but supporting or helping the main part of something. This is identical in meaning to the word “supplementary.” As for the other answer choices, “complementary” means working well with something or provided for free; “toxic” means poisonous; “docile” means quiet and easily controlled; and "angular" means containing many angles instead of curves.

Example Question #554 : Identifying Synonyms

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

APT

Possible Answers:

Applicable

Appropriate

Explicable

Jarring

Dull

Correct answer:

Appropriate

Explanation:

“Apt” means appropriate, right, and correct for a given situation, so "appropriate" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “applicable” means able to be applied or related to a situation or circumstance; “explicable” means able to be explained; "jarring" means sudden and shocking or rattling and jolting; and "dull" means blunt and not sharp or boring.

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