ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #161 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TREPIDATION

Possible Answers:

Envy

Honesty

Dread

Remorse

Suspicion

Correct answer:

Dread

Explanation:

"Trepidation" means dread, a feeling of great unease and anxiety that something bad will happen. "Remorse" is a similarly negative feeling, but it is reserved for sadness about events that have already transpired.

Example Question #162 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AUSTERITY

Possible Answers:

Trajectory

Travesty

Luminary

Excellency

Severity

Correct answer:

Severity

Explanation:

"Austerity" means severity or sternness. To provide further help, a "trajectory" is the expected path of something that is moving; a "travesty" is a mockery, an injustice; "luminary" means notable, important in a certain area

Example Question #163 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VOGUE

Possible Answers:

Economics

Politics

Recreation

Fashion

Culture

Correct answer:

Fashion

Explanation:

"Vogue," when used as a noun, means fashion, style, rage, trend. It can also be used as an adjective in which case it's meaning is very similar, it means fashionable or cool. "Culture" refers to any kind of culture (arts, fashion, shared experiences, media), fashionable or otherwise.

Example Question #164 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PARSIMONY

Possible Answers:

Selflessness

Thoughtfulness

Selfishness

Cheapness

Generosity

Correct answer:

Cheapness

Explanation:

"Parsimony" means not inclined towards spending money, cheapness. "Generosity" is a rough antonym to parsimony. It is almost impossible to be generous, free with one's goods or money; willing to give to others, if you are "parsimonious." Selfishness" is similar in spirit to "parsimony," but parsimony has a specific meaning related to money, which is not true of "selfishness."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

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

HONOR

Possible Answers:

revere

solace

portend

accept

repudiate

Correct answer:

revere

Explanation:

Repudiate means to reject, solace is peace, and portend means to predict. The word that is a synonym of honor is revere. 

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

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

CAPITULATE

Possible Answers:

occlude

waver

emulate

concede

fawn

Correct answer:

concede

Explanation:

"Capitulate" means to concede or surrender. "Emulate" means to copy the actions of someone or something. "Fawn" means to serve or ingratiate oneself to another. "Occlude" means to block or prevent. "Waver" means to shift back and forth or be indecisive

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

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

CHIDE

Possible Answers:

scold

entangle

endure

censor

Correct answer:

scold

Explanation:

To "chide" someone is to express disapproval or to scold. Chiding is a relatively-mild form of correction; harsher criticism might warrant a stronger verb like "rebuke," "castigate," or "upbraid."

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

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

CADGE

Possible Answers:

scrounge

incite

bungle

antagonize

confound

Correct answer:

scrounge

Explanation:

"Cadge" and "scrounge" both mean to beg. "Antagonize" means to cause a problem or oppose. "Bungle" means to blunder or mess up. "Confound" means to confuse or astonish. "Incite" means to encourage or provoke.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

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

FEIGN

Possible Answers:

oscillate

bluff

pacify

laud

juxtapose

Correct answer:

bluff

Explanation:

"Feign" and "bluff" both mean to pretend or fake. "Juxtapose" means to place side by side for comparison. "Laud" means to give acclaim or praise. "Oscillate" means to move in a side-to-side motion. "Pacify" means to calm or soothe

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

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

CAPITULATE

Possible Answers:

callous

censure

disdain

disentangle

concede

Correct answer:

concede

Explanation:

"Capitulate" and "concede" both mean to surrender or give in. "Disdain" means hate or indifference. "Disentangle" means to unwind or disconnect"Callous" means to make cruel or insensitive. "Censure" means to condemn or criticize severely

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