ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #301 : Synonyms

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

NOTABLE

Possible Answers:

Audible

Important

Insignificant

Responsible

Edible

Correct answer:

Important

Explanation:

The root "note" comes from Latin and usually relates to being important, as in words like "noteworthy" and phrases like "of note," both of which mean important. Thus, it makes sense that "notable" also means "important." “Insignificant” means not important; “responsible” means able to be trusted to do the right thing or mature; “edible” means able to be eaten; “audible” means able to be heard.

Example Question #302 : Synonyms

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

COMPEL

Possible Answers:

Force

Suppress

Deride. 

Imitate

Encourage

Correct answer:

Force

Explanation:

The Latin root "-pel" means force or drive and is found in English words like "dispel" (drive away or eliminate a bad feeling, especially uncertainty) and "repel" (to physically force back and away—think of what "mosquito repellant" accomplishes). Given this, it makes sense that "compel" means force someone to do something. “Deride” means mock, “imitate” means copy; “suppress” means subdue or curb; and "encourage" means support someone's actions and in doing so, suggest that he or she begin or continue those actions.

Example Question #303 : Synonyms

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

BENIGN

Possible Answers:

Helpful

Harmful

Harmless

Horrific

Helpful

Correct answer:

Harmless

Explanation:

The root "ben" means good, so it makes sense that "benign" means not harmful, not dangerous, or "harmless." As for the other answer choices, “harmful” means causing damage; “helpless” means unable to help oneself; “helpful” means kind and providing assistance; and “horrific” means shocking and terrible.

Example Question #304 : Synonyms

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

CHRONOLOGICAL

Possible Answers:

Timely

Irreversible

Inherent

Malleable

Sequential

Correct answer:

Sequential

Explanation:

The "chron-" part of "chronological" comes from a Latin word meaning time, so it makes sense that “chronological” means arranged in the order in which events happened. This is very close to the meaning of the word “sequential,” which means happening in a defined sequence. As for the other answer choices, “irreversible” means not able to be changed back or reversed; “malleable” means flexible, bendable, and able to be molded; "timely" means well-timed or appropriate; and “inherent” means natural or inborn.

Example Question #305 : Synonyms

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

LIBERATE

Possible Answers:

Rejoice

Barter

Free

Enslave

Entrap

Correct answer:

Free

Explanation:

"Liber-" derives from Latin roots meaning free, so it makes sense that with the "-ate" suffix added, which means to do or make, "liberate" means set free from some kind of oppression. This means that "free" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “enslave” means to make into a slave; “entrap” means capture; “rejoice” means celebrate or express happiness about something that happened; and “barter” means to trade one thing for another so as to conduct business without money.

Example Question #306 : Synonyms

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

ELOQUENT

Possible Answers:

Well-spoken

Artistic

Nomadic

Incessant

Terminal

Correct answer:

Well-spoken

Explanation:

The root "loq" means speak or talk and is found in other words like "loquacious" (talkative), "interlocutor" (someone with whom you have a conversation) and "elocution" (diction). Thus, it makes sense that someone who is "eloquent" is able to speak well and beautifully, making "well-spoken" the correct answer.

As for the other answer choices, “artistic” means creative and talented in making art; “nomadic” means wandering and not living permanently in one place; “incessant” means unrelenting; and “terminal” means final or concluding.

Example Question #307 : Synonyms

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

MALICIOUS

Possible Answers:

Serene

Embarrassed

Grateful

Humorous

Nasty

Correct answer:

Nasty

Explanation:

The Latin root "mal" means bad or not, so it makes sense that "malicious" means cruel and wanting to cause pain and suffering. "Nasty" is thus the correct answer, as the word can be used to mean mean-spirited and hurtful when describing people As for the other answer choices, “grateful” means thankful for things you have been given; “humorous” means funny; “serene” means quiet and peaceful; and "embarrassed" means slightly ashamed, especially due to something one's actions in front of other people.

Example Question #533 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

MALICE

Possible Answers:

Benevolence

Magnanimity

Magnificence

Malevolence

Benefit

Correct answer:

Malevolence

Explanation:

The Latin root "mal-" means bad and appears in English words like "malcontent" (someone who instigates trouble due to not being content with the current state of things); "malady" (sickness), and "maladroit" (not adroit, therefore clumsy and uncoordinated). Because of this, it makes sense that "malice" means ill-will or spite, making "malevolence" the correct answer, as "malevolence" means vindictive, evil, or hostileThe opposite of “malevolence” is “benevolence,” which means wishing or doing good things for others. (The prefix "ben-" means good.) “Magnificence” means greatness; “magnanimity” means nobility, kindness and generosity; “benefit” means something or some aspect of something that is useful, good, and helpful.

Example Question #308 : Synonyms

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

BIANNUAL

Possible Answers:

Once a year

Every decade

Monthly

Twice a year

Every century

Correct answer:

Twice a year

Explanation:

The prefix "bi-" means two, and "annual" means yearly, so it makes sense that “biannual” means taking place two times per year. A “decade” is every ten years and a “century” is every hundred years. The prefix "dec-" means ten and the prefix "cent-" means one hundred.

Example Question #309 : Synonyms

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

CONTRADICT

Possible Answers:

Appraise

Arrive

Exasperate

Excavate

Dispute

Correct answer:

Dispute

Explanation:

The Latin prefix "contra-" means against, and the Latin root "-dict" means speak or talk, so it makes sense that to "contradict" someone or a point is to speak against it—that is, to show that it is false by suggesting that the opposite is true. So, "dispute" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "contradict." As for the other answer choices, “appraise” means evaluate or determine the worth of something; “arrive” means show up; “excavate” means dig up; and “exasperate” means frustrate.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors