All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #21 : Identifying Synonyms
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
EMOLLIENT
antipathy
aspersion
grandiloquence
liniment
effrontery
liniment
"Emollient" and "liniment" both mean a balm or ointment. "Aspersion" means a verbal exhibition of bad tempter. "Antipathy" means strong dislike or distrust. "Effrontery" means nerve or boldness. "Grandiloquence" means bombast or boasting.
Example Question #21 : Hspt Verbal Skills
Edifice most nearly means __________.
delicatessen
resolve
building
restaurant
resolution
building
The word “edifice” comes from Latin roots either literally meaning “building” or also “to make a building.” When we “edify” someone, we “build them up” or improve them. The best option is the very general term “building” and none of the more specific building types mentioned.
Example Question #251 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TERMINAL
Prognostication
Diagnosis
Disease
End
Sickness
End
Often, we speak of a “terminal illness,” and several of the wrong answers are meant to tempt you into thinking choosing them because of this association. What is meant when we so call an illness is that it is going to lead to the end of life of the person diagnosed. The “term” of something is its “end” in the sense of being the very last point with regard to that thing (the end of life, the end of a stick, etc).
Example Question #252 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ARRAY
Distraction
Assortment
Frenzy
Mishap
Perjury
Assortment
An “array” is an assortment of many different types of things, so "assortment" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, a “distraction” is something that takes your attention away from whatever you are focused on; “perjury” is the act of lying under oath in court; a "mishap” is something minor that goes wrong; and a "frenzy" is a brief span of intense emotion or activity.
Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Nouns
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GARB
Possessions
Limitations
Lamentations
Clothing
Plaudits
Clothing
“Garb” is another word for garments or "clothing," often referring to a specific set of clothes used for a particular purpose or when one takes on a particular role. As for the other answer choices, “possessions” are things that are owned; “limitations” are restrictions or things that hold people back; “plaudits” are congratulations or praise; “lamentations” are spoken acts of mourning.
Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Nouns
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MALADY
Catalyst
Antecedent
Detention
Ailment
Inspiration
Ailment
A “malady” is a disease, sickness, or "ailment." As for the other answer choices, “detention” means the act of being punished or imprisoned by being placed in custody or this state of imprisonment; a “catalyst” is something that provides impetus for or helps start a reaction or an event; “inspiration” means motivation or something that causes someone to act willingly; “antecedent” means precursor, forerunner, or a thing that comes before another thing.
Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Nouns For Tangible Things
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HAZARD
Carcinogenic
Option
Toxic
Terror
Risk
Risk
When used as a noun, the word "hazard" is used to describe something that is dangerous. The adjectival form "hazardous" is often used to describe various things that are dangerous—hazardous roads, hazardous traffic, hazardous waste, and so forth. Among the options given here, most of them are somehow related to hazardous things. If something is dangerous, it is likely a terror. Likewise, a toxic thing is hazardous, as is a carcinogenic (i.e. cancer-causing) thing, but a "hazard" is simply a dangerous thing. Thus, the general word "risk" is the best option for this question.
Example Question #33 : Synonyms: Nouns
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
WRIT
Hiatus
Heroine
Order
Kowtow
Polyglot
Order
A "writ" is a legal command, an order to appear before court. The closest answer therefore is "order." To provide further help, a "heroine" is a female hero; "hiatus" means break, rest period; "kowtow" means to bow, to defer to another; a "polyglot" is a speaker of multiple languages.
Example Question #34 : Synonyms: Nouns
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRECEPT
Stronghold
Bastion
Rule
Gala
Festival
Rule
A "precept" is a rule or principle meant to govern behavior. To provide further help, "bastion" and "stronghold" are synonyms; both words mean an institution that upholds a dying ideal. "Gala" means festival.
Example Question #35 : Synonyms: Nouns
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ADJUNCT
Supporting
Hubris
Dismissive
Penitent
Disconsolate
Supporting
An "adjunct" is a thing added to something to be supportive or complementary. The closest answer choice is "supportive." To provide further help, "disconsolate" means unable to be consoled, unable to be comforted; "dismissive" means ignoring, not taking something into account; "hubris" is excessive pride; "penitent" means remorseful, seeking forgiveness from God.