ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #281 : Synonyms

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

BENEFIT

Possible Answers:

Obstacle

Barrage

Garrison

Hindrance

Advantage

Correct answer:

Advantage

Explanation:

Something that is of "benefit" is something that helps; an advantage. To provide further guidance, an "obstacle" is something that gets in the way, which is also the same thing as a "hindrance;" "barrage means" to attack continuously; a "garrison" is a group of troops left to defend something.

Example Question #282 : Synonyms

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

NEOPHYTE

Possible Answers:

Expert 

Novice 

Cathartic 

Intermediate 

Demanding 

Correct answer:

Novice 

Explanation:

A "neophyte" is someone who is a beginner or a novice, so "novice" is the correct answer. To help you, an "expert" is someone who has a lot of knowledge and experience in a certain area; "expert" is an antonym of "neophyte" and "novice." For further help, "intermediate" means middle or of a difficulty between easy and challenging. Finally, "cathartic" means healing due to allowing one to purge one's negative emotions.

Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Roots

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

CREDIBLE

Possible Answers:

Trustworthy

Gullible

Believing

Accurate

Stable

Correct answer:

Trustworthy

Explanation:

"Credible" means believable or trustworthy. For example, a newspaper is credible if it has high reporting standards and rarely makes mistakes or reports inaccurate information. So, "trustworthy" is the correct answer.

Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Roots

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

BENEFICIAL

Possible Answers:

Sarcastic

Suspicious

Helpful

Deleterious 

Calm

Correct answer:

Helpful

Explanation:

"Beneficial" means useful or helpful, so "helpful" is the correct answer. To help you, "deleterious" is a synonym of harmful, and both words are antonyms of "beneficial." To further help you, "sarcastic" means humorous, ironic and not serious, and "suspicious" means doubtful.

Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Roots

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

METROPOLIS

Possible Answers:

Empire 

City 

Suburb 

Jungle 

Mountain

Correct answer:

City 

Explanation:

The prefix "metro­-" means related to the city or to city life. A “metropolis” is a big city. To provide further help, we call the towns just outside a big city “suburbs.” 

Example Question #34 : Synonyms: Roots

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

PACIFIC

Possible Answers:

Deep

Expansive

Calming

Western

Frigid

Correct answer:

Calming

Explanation:

If you connected the adjective, "pacific," with the Pacific Ocean, you made a proper connection, though it probably didn't help you with the definition, as all of the options could describe that body of water. More helpful would be the related words "pacify" and "peace." These could lead you to connect the word "pacific" with its correct meaning of peaceful and calming.

Example Question #33 : Synonyms: Roots

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

CARNIVORE

Possible Answers:

Meat-eater

Herbivore

Omnivore

Vegetarian

Voracious

Correct answer:

Meat-eater

Explanation:

The Latin root "carn" means meat or body, so a “carnivore” is a meat-eater. A “herbivore” is an animal that eats plants (the root "herb" meaning plants); a “vegetarian” is a human that does not eat meat; and an “omnivore” is an animal that eats both plants and meats, the prefix "omni-" meaning all. "Voracious" means extremely hungry or fervent.

Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

JUDGMENT

Possible Answers:

Wit

Honesty

Resolve

Nonsense

Sense

Correct answer:

Sense

Explanation:

The Latin root "jud" means law, so “judgment” is a ruling by a court of law. It can also refer to the ability to make good decisions or having good sense. “Nonsense” means speech or writing that makes no sense; “wit” is the ability to be funny by being clever; “resolve” is determination; and "honesty" is truthfulness.

Example Question #34 : Synonyms: Roots

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

CONFIDE

Possible Answers:

Misunderstand

Mistrust

Reprimand

Trust

Understand

Correct answer:

Trust

Explanation:

The Latin root "fid" means faith or trust, and the Latin prefix "con-" means with, so it makes sense that to “confide” means to put trust in and to tell secrets to someone. The Latin prefix "mis-" means not, so it makes sense that “mistrust” means to suspect and not trust and that “misunderstand” means to not understand, or to understand incorrectly. “Reprimand” means to punish for a relatively small wrongdoing.

Example Question #35 : Synonyms: Roots

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

PRESCRIBE

Possible Answers:

Demonstrate

Recommend

Will

Portend

Ignore

Correct answer:

Recommend

Explanation:

The root "scribe" means write, and the prefix "pre-" means before, so it makes sense that “prescribe” means recommend the use of (often specifically in the sense of a doctor recommending and authorizing that medicine be given to a patient), since when a doctor prescribes a patient a medication, he writes down a prescription; this means that "recommend" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "prescribe." " “Ignore” means purposely not pay attention to; “demonstrate” means show how something is done; “will” is intend or transfer property or money in a will (a document stating how you want your possessions distributed after your death); and “portend” means suggest at something negative happening in the future.

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