ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Nouns for Abstract Concepts

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #271 : Synonyms

Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

CHAFF

Possible Answers:

refuse

barge

scrape

enmity

Correct answer:

refuse

Explanation:

A well-known idiom speaks of "separating the wheat from the chaff"—that is, separating out that which has value from that which is worthless. In a literal sense, "chaff" can describe the protective casing around a seed that is burned up once the seed has been removed. More commonly the word is used to describe anything that is useless and expendable. Be careful to to confuse "chaff" with "chafe" (damage by rubbing). Also keep in mind that "refuse" here is the noun (pronounced REF-yoos) that means garbage—not the more-familiar verb (pronounced ri-FYOOZ) that means to turn down an offer.

Example Question #272 : Synonyms

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters. 

ZEAL

Possible Answers:

lethargy

tirade

leviathan

apathy

fervor

Correct answer:

fervor

Explanation:

"Zeal" and "fervor" both mean enthusiasm or devotion. "Apathy" means an uncaring attitude or lack of interest. "Lethargy" means laziness or sluggishness. "Tirade" means abuse or outburst. "Leviathan" means colossus or behemoth.

Example Question #273 : Synonyms

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

REPROOF

Possible Answers:

implication

turpitude

censure

guile

elegy

Correct answer:

censure

Explanation:

"Reproof" and "censure" both mean blame or criticism. "Elegy" means dirge or lament. "Turpitude" means corruption or debauchery. "Implication" means association or suggestion. "Guile" means slyness or cleverness

Example Question #274 : Synonyms

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

PECCADILLO

Possible Answers:

impropriety

skepticism

zenith

remedy

transient

Correct answer:

impropriety

Explanation:

"Peccadillo" and "impropriety" both mean a small fault or misdemeanor. "Zenith" means the highest point or apex. "Transient" means something temporary or ephemeral. "Skepticism" means doubt or questioning. "Remedy" means a cure or solution

Example Question #275 : Synonyms

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

TIRADE

Possible Answers:

harangue

adulation

tangent

transient

endorsement

Correct answer:

harangue

Explanation:

"Tirade" and "harangue" both mean an angry outburst. "Adulation" means overenthusiastic praise. "Endorsement" means support or authorization. "Transient" means something temporary or fleeting. "Tangent" means something touching or related.

Example Question #276 : Synonyms

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

ENCOMIUM

Possible Answers:

accolade

censure

epitome

dictum

blasphemy

Correct answer:

accolade

Explanation:

"Encomium" and "accolade" both mean warm praise. "Censure" means severe criticism or condemnation. "Blasphemy" means irreverence or heresy. "Dictum" means a saying or proverb. "Epitome" means a perfect example or abbreviation.

Example Question #277 : Synonyms

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

ASPERSION

Possible Answers:

alacrity

defamation

belligerence

adulation

commendation

Correct answer:

defamation

Explanation:

"Aspersion" and "defamation" both mean libel or slander. "Adulation" means overenthusiastic praise. "Commendation" means praise or acclaim. "Alacrity" means alertness or liveliness. "Belligerence" means a fight or aggression.

Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Nouns

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

CALUMNY

Possible Answers:

panegyric

slander

chagrin

chicanery

synthesis

Correct answer:

slander

Explanation:

"Calumny" and "slander" both mean a scandalous remark or disparagement. "Panegyric" means acclaim or praise. "Synthesis" means combining or combination. "Chagrin" means displeasure or annoyance. "Chicanery" means trickery or deceit

Example Question #52 : Synonyms: Nouns

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

CANARD

Possible Answers:

contaminant

veracity

edict

hoax

charlatan

Correct answer:

hoax

Explanation:

"Canard" and "hoax" both mean a lie or deception. "Veracity" means truth or accuracy. "Charlatan" means a trickster or fraud. "Contaminant" means a pollutant. "Edict" means a pronouncement or order.

Example Question #53 : Synonyms: Nouns

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

APOGEE

Possible Answers:

guile

drawback

hilarity

pinnacle

nadir

Correct answer:

pinnacle

Explanation:

"Apogee" and "pinnacle" both mean the highest point or zenith. "Nadir" means the lowest point or bottom. "Drawback" means a disadvantage. "Guile" means slyness or cleverness. "Hilarity" means laughter or amusement

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors