ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #191 : Synonyms

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

HYPERBOLE

Possible Answers:

Disappointment

Underwhelming

Understatement

Overstatement

Overwhelming

Correct answer:

Overstatement

Explanation:

The prefix "hyper-" usually means super, excessive, or a lot of, so “hyperbole” is the literary device of dramatically overstating something. To provide further help, “overwhelming” means overpowering, too much, or extremely large, and “underwhelming” means too little or disappointing. Notice how the prefixes "hyper-" and "over-" are similar to one another, and opposites of the prefix "under-."

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Greek

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

AMORPHOUS

Possible Answers:

Aimless

Formless

Converted

Solidified

Hopeless

Correct answer:

Formless

Explanation:

The word fragment "morph­" refers to form or shape,and the prefix "a-" means without,so “amorphous” means without form, or formless. To provide further help, “aimless” means without direction or purpose, and “hopeless” means without love. (Observe the meaning of the suffix "-less"—without.) "Converted" means changed from one thing to another; and "solidified" means having attained a solid shape or strengthened.

Example Question #192 : Synonyms

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

BIOLOGICAL

Possible Answers:

Biology

Math

Sleepy

Alive

Correct answer:

Alive

Explanation:

The word "biological" refers to living things. The best choice is "alive" as it is a part of the definition of "biological." Considering the other choices, "math" refers to mathematical operations, "biology" is a branch of science concerned with living creatures, and "sleepy" means exhausted or tired.

Example Question #193 : Synonyms

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

APATHETIC

Possible Answers:

Partial

Argumentative

Concerned

Understanding

Indifferent

Correct answer:

Indifferent

Explanation:

"Apathetic" is an adjective that means "showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "unconcerned." "Concerned" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "concerned" is an antonym of "unconcerned." "Indifferent," however, is an adjective that can mean "having no particular interest or sympathy; unconcerned," and because it is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "apathetic," "indifferent" is the correct answer.

Example Question #194 : Synonyms

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

ANTISOCIAL

Possible Answers:

Outlying

Inconsiderate

Implacable

Parsimonious

Extraneous 

Correct answer:

Inconsiderate

Explanation:

Someone who is “social” is good with people or enjoys talking to people. The prefix "anti­-" is a negation prefix; it causes the new word to have the opposite meaning to the original. So “antisocial” means not social or not considerate, which makes the correct answer “inconsiderate.” Someone who is “inconsiderate” is not kind or not able to think about other people’s feelings. The the prefix "in-" functions similarly to the prefix "anti-" and negates the meaning of the original word. To provide further help, “implacable” means merciless, unstoppable; “parsimonious” means not generous with money; “outlying” means remote or unusual; “extraneous” means not needed

Example Question #195 : Synonyms

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

ARCHENEMY

Possible Answers:

Catastrophe 

Bellow 

Debris 

Nomad 

Rival 

Correct answer:

Rival 

Explanation:

You likely know that “enemy” is similar in meaning to “rival,” so the key to answering this question is to understand how the prefix "arch-" changes the meaning of the word “enemy.” In this instance, the meaning is unchanged. "Arch-" means chief or primary, so your “archenemy” is your biggest enemy or rival. To provide further help, “bellow” means to yell; “debris” is the fallen parts of things after they are broken; a “nomad” is someone who wanders from place to place without making a home; “catastrophe” means disaster.

Example Question #196 : Synonyms

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

DYNAMIC

Possible Answers:

Despondent

Vacant

Dominant

Active

Inert

Correct answer:

Active

Explanation:

The Greek root "dynam" means energy, so the word “dynamic” means having energy, exciting, or “active.” “Vacant” means unoccupied; “inert” means lifeless and having no energy; "dominant” means in control and in charge; and "despondent" means very sad and pessimistic.

Example Question #197 : Synonyms

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

MICROSCOPIC

Possible Answers:

Immune

Susceptible

Tiny

Massive

Gorgeous

Correct answer:

Tiny

Explanation:

The Greek prefix micro- means very small, as in "microscope" which is a tool used to look at things that are very small. So, "microscopic" means tiny, very, very small. To provide additional help, "susceptible" means vulnerable, at risk; "immune" is an antonym of "susceptible" it means not vulnerable, cannot be affected by (usually a disease); "massive" means very large; "gorgeous" means beautiful, attractive.

Example Question #198 : Synonyms

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

EGOTISTICAL

Possible Answers:

Helpless

Hopeless

Hopeful

Selfish

Selfless

Correct answer:

Selfish

Explanation:

The Greek prefix ego- means self. So, someone who is "egotistical" is self-centered, selfish. Additionally, "selfless" means not selfish, generous; "helpless" means not able to be helped.

Example Question #199 : Synonyms

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

DILEMMA

Possible Answers:

Suggestion

Problem

Medicine

Solution

Notion

Correct answer:

Problem

Explanation:

The Greek prefix di- means two. So, a "dilemma" is a problem with two possible solutions, a predicament, a quandary. To provide additional help, a "notion" is an idea or a feeling; a "suggestion" is an idea expressed to help someone with a problem

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