ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #101 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DEMOCRACY

Possible Answers:

egalitarian

divinity

conundrum

monarchy

anarchy

Correct answer:

egalitarian

Explanation:

While "anarchy" and "monarchy" are both types of government, they do not convey the same meaning as "democracy." The word closest in meaning is egalitarian.

Example Question #102 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NOMENCLATURE

Possible Answers:

Jury

Discontinuation

Termination

Legality

Terminology

Correct answer:

Terminology

Explanation:

The “nomenclature” of a given discipline is the set of terms specific to it. For example, one can speak of the “binomial nomenclature” that is used to describe animal species (e.g. man is homo sapiens). One can thus say that a given “nomenclature” is the set of “terminology” for a discipline. This is the best option among those provided.

Example Question #103 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NARRATIVE

Possible Answers:

Setting

Enumeration

Storyteller

Chronicle

Relative

Correct answer:

Chronicle

Explanation:

The word “narrative” comes from the Latin for “to tell” as in “telling a story.” The word “storyteller” is close to this—to “narrator” not “narrative.” Although one might think of the enumeration of things as being a sort of narrative, it is more proper to say that a “chronicle” provides a narrative. A “chronicle” is an account of historical events told as a narrative according to time. The word “chronological,” meaning “related to time” is related to “chronicle.”

Example Question #104 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MILIEU

Possible Answers:

Defensive

Environment

Ostensive

Wary

Martial

Correct answer:

Environment

Explanation:

The “milieu” of something is the “middle location.” A given “milieu” is the “midst” in an expression like “in the midst.” Therefore, we call a thing or person’s “milieu” his or her environment. For instance, we may speak of the “political milieu” of a given family that has strong ties to political factions, or we may use “milieu” to indicate the general socioeconomic environment in which someone lives.

Example Question #105 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ALTERCATION

Possible Answers:

Overseer

Modification

Stitching

Organization

Quarrel

Correct answer:

Quarrel

Explanation:

The word altercation comes from the Latin for “to dispute or argue.” It means roughly the same in English. For example, one might say, “After the large altercation between the two men, their friends decided not to invite them to the party, fearing that they would argue in public and disturb the peace of the gathering.”

Example Question #106 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NOSTALGIA

Possible Answers:

remedy

prudence

sentimentality

ailment

hardship

Correct answer:

sentimentality

Explanation:

"Nostalgia" means sentimentality or a fondness for the past. "Ailment" means an illness or affliction. "Hardship" means a difficulty or personal burden. "Remedy" means a cure or solution. "Prudence" means caution or carefullness

Example Question #107 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PHILANTHROPY

Possible Answers:

Diatribe

Avarice

Quiescence

Charity

Improvidence

Correct answer:

Charity

Explanation:

"Philanthropy" and "charity" both mean humanitarianism or generosity. "Avarice" means extreme greed. "Quiescence" means inaction or quiet. "Diatribe" means criticism or tirade. "Improvidence" means carelessness or neglect.

Example Question #108 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ANOMALY

Possible Answers:

Grotto

Dictum

Incongruity

Tangent

Panacea

Correct answer:

Incongruity

Explanation:

Since "anomaly" is a noun which means "a deviation from the norm or what is expected," we need to find another noun that means "a deviation from the norm."  While "tangent" may look like a potentially correct answer choice, "tangent" means "a line that touches a curve at one point, but does not intersect it," or "a completely different line of thought or action." So, while "tangent" can be used in a context where it means a deviation from the norm of a conversation, it does not itself mean "deviation from the norm," so it can't be the correct answer. "Incongruity," however, means "something that is strange because of not agreeing with what is usual or expected," so it is the correct answer because of the given answer choices, it is closest in meaning to "anomaly."

Example Question #109 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CHAGRIN

Possible Answers:

Fluency

Apex

Imitation

Simper

Dissatisfaction

Correct answer:

Dissatisfaction

Explanation:

Since "chagrin" is a noun that means "distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated," we need to pick out another noun that means something like "distress" or "embarrassment." While "simper" may sound like a promising answer choice because "chagrin' sounds like "grin" and "simper" can be defined as "an affectedly coquettish, coy, or ingratiating smile or gesture," this doesn't match the actual meaning of "chagrin," so it can't be the correct answer. Of the listed answer choices, "dissatisfaction" comes closest to matching the meaning of "chagrin, so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #110 : Identifying Synonyms

Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices.  Choose the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

FORTITUDE

Possible Answers:

Capability

Weakness

Energy

Resilience

Lethargy

Correct answer:

Resilience

Explanation:

Fortitude means strength of mind or determination.  The best answer choice is resilience since someone with fortitude has strength even in the midst of difficulties.

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