All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #252 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GARB
Limitations
Plaudits
Clothing
Lamentations
Possessions
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 #31 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MALADY
Detention
Antecedent
Catalyst
Inspiration
Ailment
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 #254 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HAZARD
Risk
Carcinogenic
Option
Toxic
Terror
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 #32 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
WRIT
Kowtow
Heroine
Polyglot
Order
Hiatus
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 #256 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRECEPT
Rule
Festival
Stronghold
Bastion
Gala
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 #257 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ADJUNCT
Disconsolate
Hubris
Dismissive
Penitent
Supporting
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.
Example Question #258 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SYMPOSIUM
Savage
Agreement
Trial
Meeting
Puzzle
Meeting
A "symposium" is a meeting. Usually it is a business conference, or a meeting to discuss a particular idea. A "trial" is a judicial event specifically designed to assess guilt or innocence, while a symposium has no such goal. While an "agreement" may be reached at a "symposium" the two words are not synonymous.
Example Question #33 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GALA
Vehicle
Vocation
Editorial
Festival
Bulletin
Festival
A "gala" is a festival, a party, a formal occasion with entertainment and socializing. To provide further help, a "vocation" is a job; a "bulletin" is a posted public announcement; an "editorial" is an article in a newspaper in which the author expresses his or her opinion.
Example Question #34 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PANEGYRIC
Eulogy
Tenet
Hiatus
Connoisseur
Creed
Eulogy
"Panegyric" means a public speech praising someone, a tribute or eulogy. To provide further help, "tenet" and "creed" are synonyms; both words mean a fundamental part of a belief system; a "hiatus" is a break from something; a "connoisseur" is an expert.
Example Question #35 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ASPIRATION
Goal
Forte
Inspiration
Mirage
Hazard
Goal
An "aspiration" is a goal, a target, something you aspire too. To provide further help, a "hazard" is a danger; a "mirage" is an illusion; a "forte" is someone's strong suit; an "aspersion" is a verbal attack on someone.
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