ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #141 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

ANGST

Possible Answers:

Crisis

Solution

Adolescence

Anxiety

Depression

Correct answer:

Anxiety

Explanation:

“Angst” is a feeling of anxiety and discomfort. It is often associated with teenagers, or in other words, those going through "adolescence." As for the other answer choices, “crisis” means emergency or disaster; a "solution" can mean a solvent in which a solute has been dissolved or the way in which a problem is thought to be able to be solved; and "depression" is strong, persistent sadness or the medical condition from which such emotions can arise.

Example Question #142 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

AMITY

Possible Answers:

Friendship

Hatred

Rivalry

Peace

Depravity

Correct answer:

Friendship

Explanation:

“Amity” means friendly or loving relationship, so "friendship" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “depravity” means immorality or lewd behavior; and “rivalry” is intense competition with one group or person.

Example Question #143 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

PINNACLE

Possible Answers:

Thunder

Peak

Mountain

Valley

Torrent

Correct answer:

Peak

Explanation:

The “pinnacle” is the high point of something, usually an achievement, or a "peak." As for the other answer choices, a “valley” is a low area of land between mountains; “torrent” means flood or outpouring

Example Question #144 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

FABRICATION

Possible Answers:

Falsehood

Quilt

Candor

Question

Misconception

Correct answer:

Falsehood

Explanation:

A “fabrication” is a falsehood or a "lie." As for the other answer choices, “candor” is frank honesty; a “misconception” is something false that is believed or something understood incorrectly; a "quilt" is a bed covering made of squares of fabric sewn together over batting; and a "question" is a query.

Example Question #145 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

FATUITY

Possible Answers:

Thoroughness

Flabbiness

Foolishness

Bulkiness

Decadence

Correct answer:

Foolishness

Explanation:

The word "fatuous" comes from the Latin word for foolish or stupid. "Fatuity" describes the general state of being "fatuous." That is, it describes "foolishness." Thus, we could say, "The discussion was fatuous on the whole, and Socrates thought most of it to be a waste of time." As for "fatuity", we could say, "The arrogant professor thought almost all normal discussions were matters of fatuity compared to his important research work." Note, "fatuity" should not be interpreted as having something to do with being "fat." This word comes from very different roots.

Example Question #146 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

FLUCTUATE

Possible Answers:

Alter

Ventilate

Respond

Return

Form

Correct answer:

Alter

Explanation:

The word "fluctuate" comes from Latin roots meaning wave or to make a wave-like motion. Thus, when something fluctuates, it continually changes. Thus, a fluctuating position is one that moves from place to place, and someone's weight fluctuates when it increases and decreases variously. The word broadly means, thus, to change. The only option that directly corresponds to this meaning is "alter." To "alter" something is to make it become different.

Example Question #147 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

JEOPARDY

Possible Answers:

Thriving

Peril

Exciting

Affluent

Amazing

Correct answer:

Peril

Explanation:

When something is "in jeopardy," it is at risk. Therefore, the best synonym for "jeopardy" is "peril." Something is also at risk when it is "in peril" or "imperiled." The two options "exciting" and "amazing" might be tempting. Risky things are often exciting or amazing; however "excitement" is not a direct synonym for "jeopardy" itself.

Example Question #148 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

INDICATION

Possible Answers:

Argument

Conclusion

Diagnosis

Prognosis

Evidence

Correct answer:

Evidence

Explanation:

An indication is a sign of something else. Thus, someone's fever can be an indication of illness. The only option that is synonymous in this manner is "evidence." For instance, it is basically the same thing to say, "The fever is an indication of illness," as it is to say, "The fever is evidence of illness."

Example Question #149 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

LENIENCY

Possible Answers:

Laziness

Clemency

Voracity

Instability

Redundancy

Correct answer:

Clemency

Explanation:

When someone is lenient, he or she is not overly harsh in some regard. For example, a lenient grader is someone who gives grades that are not overly critical. Also, someone can be lenient with regard to a punishment, meaning that he or she does not give out very harsh punishments. For this reason, a good synonym for "leniency" is "mercy." The word "clemency" means either "mercy" or "leniency."

Example Question #150 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

RETALIATION

Possible Answers:

Reparation

Reconsideration

Replication

Restitution

Retribution

Correct answer:

Retribution

Explanation:

When someone "retaliates," he or she responds to a damaging event by creating an equal amount of damage to the person or entity that harmed him or her. Now, it is important to note that retaliation thus deals with doing equal damage. This fact eliminates "reparation" and "restitution" as options. These deal with making a payment to the person whom you have harmed. This is quite different from retaliating. (Indeed, the one who makes reparation or restitution is the very person who caused the harm. The retaliating person is the person who was harmed.) "Retribution" is a kind of punishment that is enacted against a person for the harm that he or she did. Generally, it is implied to be a punishment equal to the crime in question. Thus, among the options provided here at least, this is the best.

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