ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #230 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LIKENESS

Possible Answers:

Brutality

Maturity

Tolerance

Awe

Similarity

Correct answer:

Similarity

Explanation:

"Likeness" means the quality of being like something else, similarity, resemblance. To provide further help, "awe" is a feeling of being very impressed and amazed; "brutality" is cruelty, savagery, intense violence; "tolerance" is patience and acceptance, being understanding of differences; "maturity" is the quality of being an adult and acting like an adult.

Example Question #591 : Synonyms

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

FRAILTY

Possible Answers:

Honesty

Dishonesty

Weakness

Strength

Humility

Correct answer:

Weakness

Explanation:

"Frailty" is the quality of being sick or weak, weakness. To provide further help, "humility" is the quality of being modest and humble, of not being arrogant

Example Question #592 : Synonyms

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

GRACE

Possible Answers:

Mercy

Dignity

Rivalry

Love

Hatred

Correct answer:

Dignity

Explanation:

"Grace" means elegance, dignity, to move or carry oneself in a dignified and classy manner. To provide further help, "rivalry" means competition, usually between two familiar foes; "mercy" is compassion and forgiveness, the action of not punishing someone for something they have done wrong

Example Question #593 : Synonyms

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

CONTENTMENT

Possible Answers:

Sadness

Irritation

Dread

Anger

Happiness

Correct answer:

Happiness

Explanation:

"Contentment" means something like satisfaction, being happy with things the way they are. So, the closest answer is "happiness." To provide further help, "dread" is great anxiety and fear; "irritation" is frustration, a feeling of being annoyed by something

Example Question #594 : Synonyms

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

INSANITY

Possible Answers:

Fragility

Comfort

Sadness

Madness

Happiness

Correct answer:

Madness

Explanation:

"Insanity" is madness, craziness, the lack of sanity. To provide further help, "fragility" means weakness, the quality of being easily broken

Example Question #595 : Synonyms

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

CONSTERNATION

Possible Answers:

Delight

Wisdom

Piety

Wit

Distress

Correct answer:

Distress

Explanation:

"Consternation" is a feeling of distress caused by something surprising and disturbing. To provide further help, "delight" is great joy and happiness; "piety" is deep religious belief; "wisdom" is knowledge and understanding; "wit" is mental sharpness, intelligence, particularly with regard to humor.

Example Question #596 : Synonyms

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

MIRTH

Possible Answers:

Stupidity

Surprise

Excellence

Intrigue

Joy

Correct answer:

Joy

Explanation:

Whenever someone experiences great "mirth", he or she experiences great joy. This is one of those words that you just have to memorize. Some examples can help:

"The children experienced great mirth as they opened their gifts for Christmas."

"The friends danced with great mirth, joyfully celebrating the end of the school year."

"The old grumpy man hated the children's mirthful attitude."

Example Question #597 : Synonyms

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

DEGREE

Possible Answers:

Education

Greeting

Extent

Employment

Intelligence

Correct answer:

Extent

Explanation:

Whenever we talk about the "degree" of something, we are talking about how much of it there is. Thus, the "degree of anger" that someone is feeling is the amount of anger that he or she is feeling in a particular situation. Thus, "degree" can mean "how far," "amount," or "extent." The word "extent" is a synonym for "area" (or "distance") but it also is a good synonym for "degree." Think of some expressions you might use. You could say, "To what degree was the building damaged in the earthquake?" You could, however, also say, "What was the extent of the damage to the building during the earthquake?"

Example Question #598 : Synonyms

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

RIDICULE

Possible Answers:

Mockery

Force

Abuse

Delight

Injustice

Correct answer:

Mockery

Explanation:

Based on the options for this question, it is clear that the word "ridicule" is being used as a noun. All of the options are nouns. Now, the verb form of "ridicule" means to make fun of or to mock. Thus, the noun "ridicule" describes the kind of mockery that happens whenever someone is made fun of. While this kind of mockery is a kind of abuse, the general idea of ridicule has to do with mocking and "laughing at" someone else. Hence, the best option is "mockery."

Example Question #599 : Synonyms

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

HOSPITALITY

Possible Answers:

Malice

Hatred

Directions

Kindness

Enmity

Correct answer:

Kindness

Explanation:

Do not confuse the word "hospitality" with "hostility." The latter means enmity—quite different from "hospitality"! "Hospitality" is the kind of kindness or help that we show to others such as neighbors or guests. Hence, the best option is "kindness," which expresses this idea of helping others.

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