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 #521 : Synonyms

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

PREDICAMENT

Possible Answers:

Power

Speech

Discussion

Plight

Prediction

Correct answer:

Plight

Explanation:

"Predicament" is a noun meaning " a difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation," so we need to pick out an answer choice which is a noun meaning something like "a problem." While "prediction" might sound like "predicament," a "prediction" is "a thing predicted; a forecast" or "the action of predicting something;" since the meaning of "prediction" isn't close to "a problem," it can't be the correct answer. "Plight," however, when used as a noun means "a dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation." Since "plight" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "predicament," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #522 : Synonyms

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

STEREOTYPE

Possible Answers:

Assumption 

Generalization

Attack 

Ignorance

Hate

Correct answer:

Generalization

Explanation:

A "stereotype" is the application of an overly general belief about a certain type of people. For example, there is a stereotype that all sushi chefs are Asian, when in actuality this is not at all true and there are many sushi chefs who are not Asian. Therefore, the best synonym would be "generalization." While a stereotype is a type of assumption, "generalization" is the more precise synonym; therefore the answer choice "assumptionis incorrect.

Example Question #523 : Synonyms

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

FLAK

Possible Answers:

Disapproval

Debris

Consideration

Mosaic

Obstacle

Correct answer:

Disapproval

Explanation:

"Flak" is a noun that means criticism. "Disapproval" is the best choice since it shares the same definition. Considering the other choices, "debris" means the remains of something broken, "mosaic" means a flat piece of art made of small pieces of colored material, a "consideration" is something that is thought about or needs to be thought about for some or idea to work, and an "obstacle" is a hindrance, often a physical one.

Example Question #524 : Synonyms

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

VOW

Possible Answers:

Betray

Bow

Oath

Pacify

Suggestion

Correct answer:

Oath

Explanation:

A "vow" is a solemn, formal promise. "Oath" is the best choice, since it means a formal promise. Considering the other choices, "bow" means a weapon used to shoot arrows or a decoration added to gifts made of looped sections of ribbon; "betrayal" is an antonym of "vow" and means the act of breaking a promise or violating the trust of someone, and "suggestion" means an idea put forward as an option of proceeding or adjusting how one is doing something.

Example Question #525 : Synonyms

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

GRATUITY

Possible Answers:

Advice

Hermit

Tip

Vow

Outcast

Correct answer:

Tip

Explanation:

The Latin root "grat" means pleasing, so a “gratuity” is a “tip,” or money given to show you are pleased. A “hermit” is a recluse, someone who lives alone and avoids people; “vow” means promise; and an “outcast” is someone excluded from society.

Example Question #526 : Synonyms

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

ENNUI

Possible Answers:

Boredom

Terror

Mediocrity

Excitement

Joy

Correct answer:

Boredom

Explanation:

"Ennui" is a noun that means "a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement." While all of the potential answer choices refer to feelings, only "mediocrity," "terror," and "boredom" refer to negatively-connoted emotions. "Terror" is not close in meaning to "ennui," and while "mediocrity" may seem like a potentially correct answer, "boredom" is the best answer choice because it is the closest synonym of "ennui."

Example Question #526 : Synonyms

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

RENOWN

Possible Answers:

Power

Wealth

Knowledge

Fame

Fury

Correct answer:

Fame

Explanation:

"Renown" means fame. For example, an artist of great renown is famous and well known. So, "fame" is the correct answer.

Example Question #527 : Synonyms

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

DISCORD

Possible Answers:

Distaste 

Fruitful 

Untied 

Disharmony 

Disdain 

Correct answer:

Disharmony 

Explanation:

"Discord" means lack of harmony, therefore "disharmony" is closest in meaning to "discord."

Example Question #528 : Synonyms

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

DEFECT

Possible Answers:

Fatigue

Flaw

Dynasty

Treasurer

Candor

Correct answer:

Flaw

Explanation:

A "defect" is a flaw, so "flaw" is the correct answer. A "treasurer" is an officer in an organization that manages the finances. "Candor" means utmost honesty and truthfulness. "Dynasty" is a line of rulers from the same family. "Fatigue" means extreme tiredness.

Example Question #529 : Synonyms

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

PROCLAMATION

Possible Answers:

Sea

Announcement

Scheme

Story

Correct answer:

Announcement

Explanation:

A "proclamation" is an official announcement. The best choice is "announcement" because it is a part of the definition of "proclamation." Considering the other choices, "sea" refers to a large body of salt water, "scheme" means come up with a plan, often to commit some sort of crime when used as a verb or a plan when used as a noun, and "story" means a narrative designed to entertain readers or listeners.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors