ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #921 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ROBUST

Possible Answers:

Cooperative

Hearty

Belligerent

Fragile

Rotund

Correct answer:

Hearty

Explanation:

"Robust" is an adjective meaning hearty or powerful. For example: "The extremely spicy ingredients caused the sauce to have a ROBUST taste and aroma."

"Fragile" is an antonym to "robust." "Rotund" is an adjective describing an object with a round shape or a corpulent person. "Belligerent" is an adjective used to describe a person who is aggressive or unpleasant.

Example Question #922 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RIGOROUS

Possible Answers:

Talentless

Straight

Captured

Difficult

Smooth

Correct answer:

Difficult

Explanation:

"Rigorous" is an adjective describing something very difficult, thorough, or demanding. For example: "The RIGOROUS course of study caused many students to either fail or quit."

"Talentless" is an adjective used to describe someone who is without skill at a given task. "Straight" is a concrete adjective using to describe a specific, linear directionality of a movement or the shape or arrangement of an object or objects. 

Example Question #923 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ABRASIVE

Possible Answers:

Smooth

Clean

Coarse

Sticky

Ugly

Correct answer:

Coarse

Explanation:

An "abrasive" is something scratchy and is usually used to help smooth an object or clean something. Sandpaper is abrasive as are the scratchy sides of sponges used to clean dishes. "Smooth" is an antonym to "abrasive." "Clean" means free of dirt. "Sticky" is an adjective describing a gummy or adhesive texture. "Ugly" is an adjective describing an unsightly person or object.

Example Question #924 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SURGICAL

Possible Answers:

Random

Surprising

Wasteful

Inaccurate

Precise

Correct answer:

Precise

Explanation:

"Surgical" means precise, accurate. If you think about the fact that a "surgeon" needs to be precise and accurate to do their job this makes a lot of sense. 

Example Question #371 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

MEAN

Possible Answers:

Forthright

Polarizing

Average

Supreme

Abundant

Correct answer:

Average

Explanation:

"Mean" can have many different meanings, but when used as an adjective in a mathematical or statistical sense it means average. To provide further help, "forthright" means honest; "supreme" means best, greatest; "polarizing" means divisive, causing radically different opinions; "abundant" means existing in large quantities.

Example Question #372 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PETTY

Possible Answers:

Untimely

Insignificant

Unbelievable

Indelible

Incredible

Correct answer:

Insignificant

Explanation:

"Petty" means trivial, minor, insignificant. To provide further help, "incredible" means amazing and "unbelievable" means not believable. Interestingly "credible" means "believable." Here we can see how words change and evolve over time, when once "incredible" meant simply not believable, now it means something closer to amazing because it is barely believable. Additionally, "indelible" means a mark that cannot be removed; "untimely" means happening at the wrong time, happening too soon

Example Question #373 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

SHODDY

Possible Answers:

Inferior

Superior

Unusual

Mediocre

Exemplary

Correct answer:

Inferior

Explanation:

Something that is described as "shoddy" is poorly made, of inferior quality. "Inferior" means not as good as, worse. To provide further help, "superior" means better than; "mediocre" means average in a bad way; "exemplary" means perfect, flawless, a perfect example of

Example Question #374 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

SOPHISTICATED

Possible Answers:

Standard

Intermediate

Crude

Advanced

Unusual

Correct answer:

Advanced

Explanation:

"Sophisticated" is an adjective that can be used to describe either machinery, technology, or people. It means advanced, modern, not crude. To provide further help, "crude" means basic, lacking detail and sophistication; "unusual" means not normal; "standard" means normal, common; "intermediate" means middle, mid-way, transitional.

Example Question #375 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

EXEMPLARY

Possible Answers:

Amazing

Famous

Overwhelming

Legal

Ideal

Correct answer:

Ideal

Explanation:

Whenever something is "exemplary," it is excellent. Indeed, the word itself can help us understand its meaning. An "exemplary" thing sets a very good example in some particular way. Thus, such a thing or person provides an "ideal." For example, an exemplary student is someone who is an ideal student whom others should imitate.

Example Question #376 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

INSPIRING

Possible Answers:

Popular

Courageous

Patriotic

Academic

Stimulating

Correct answer:

Stimulating

Explanation:

Whenever something is "inspiring," it leads others to want to do or feel something. For example, an inspiring song may make people feel like they can overcome any difficulty. An inspiring speech can make someone think that he or she is able to achieve any goal. Sometimes, something can inspire negative feelings as well—as when something "inspires fear." In all of these cases, the inspiration stimulates a feeling or ideal. Thus, something that is called "inspiring" can also be called "stimulating."

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