ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #56 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

ULTIMATE

Possible Answers:

Worst

Trivial

Helpless

Utmost

Correct answer:

Utmost

Explanation:

"Ultimate" is an adjective meaning maximum, farthest, or greatest. So the answer choice closest in meaning is "utmost," an adjective meaning greatest, highest, or most. Considering the other answer choices, "worst" is the antonym of "ultimate" and an adjective meaning bad or faulty, "helpless" is an adjective meaning weak or dependent, and "trivial" is an adjective meaning of very little importance.

Example Question #57 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

FACILE

Possible Answers:

Terrific 

Grotesque 

Simplistic

Banal 

Abhorrent

Correct answer:

Simplistic

Explanation:

The word “facile” means very simple or easy. This is closest in meaning to “simplistic,” which means very simple. To provide further help, “abhorrent” means grotesque, horrific; “grotesque” means horrifying and repulsive; “banal” means boring or ordinary

Example Question #58 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

BENIGN

Possible Answers:

Mercy

Kind

Harsh

Harmless

Correct answer:

Harmless

Explanation:

The word "benign" means harmless. The best choice is "harmless" because it is a part of the definition of "benign."

Example Question #58 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

ORNATE

Possible Answers:

Plain

Full

Decorated

Empty

Correct answer:

Decorated

Explanation:

"Ornate" is an adjective that means elaborate, so the answer choice closest in meaning to "ornate" is "decorated," an adjective meaning attractive or ornamental. Considering the other answer choices, none are close in meaning to "ornate": "plain" means clear; "empty" means vacant or not containing anything; and "full" means complete or containing as much as a container can.

Example Question #914 : Synonyms

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

INTRICATE

Possible Answers:

Mysterious

Intimate

Sneaky

Misleading

Complex

Correct answer:

Complex

Explanation:

"Intricate" means complicated or complex, so "complex" is the correct answer. 

Example Question #911 : Synonyms

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

FLORID

Possible Answers:

Ornate

Passionate

Avoidable

Verdant

Fortunate

Correct answer:

Ornate

Explanation:

"Florid" is an adjective that either means reddish or more complicated than is necessary, so "ornate" is the correct answer. "Verdant" (lush and green) may look like a potentially correct answer because "florid" does derive from the Latin for "flower"; however, the modern meaning of "florid" does not have to do with flowers, so "verdant" is not the correct answer.

Example Question #912 : Synonyms

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

COLOSSAL

Possible Answers:

Tiny 

Immense 

Miniscule 

Serendipitous 

Circumstantial

Correct answer:

Immense 

Explanation:

"Colossal" means very big, so the correct answer is “immense,” which means huge or severe. To further help you, "miniscule" is a synonym of tiny and is the origin of the word “mini;” "serendipitous" means unexpected good fortune; "circumstantial" means incidental or owed to specific circumstances.

Example Question #913 : Synonyms

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

MINUSCULE

Possible Answers:

Nimble

Corrupt

Predictable

Vast

Tiny

Correct answer:

Tiny

Explanation:

"Minuscule" means very small, so "tiny" is the best match. "Vast" usually refers to areas of land or bodies of water and means very wide, so it is an antonym, or opposite, of "minuscule."

Example Question #914 : Synonyms

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

DORMANT

Possible Answers:

Asleep

Deplorable

Energetic

Domesticated

Exhausted

Correct answer:

Asleep

Explanation:

“Dormant” means asleep or in a period of inactivity, so "quiescent" is the correct answer, as "quiescent" means dormant or inactive. As for the other answer choices, “energetic” means full of energy; “domestic” means having to do with the home or tamed and not wild; “deplorable” means heinous and inexcusable; and “exhausted” means very tired or used up.

Example Question #915 : Synonyms

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

ANCILLARY

Possible Answers:

Complementary

Toxic

Angular

Docile

Supplementary

Correct answer:

Supplementary

Explanation:

“Ancillary” means not necessary but supporting or helping the main part of something. This is identical in meaning to the word “supplementary.” As for the other answer choices, “complementary” means working well with something or provided for free; “toxic” means poisonous; “docile” means quiet and easily controlled; and "angular" means containing many angles instead of curves.

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