ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

GARB

Possible Answers:

Possessions

Limitations

Lamentations

Clothing

Plaudits

Correct answer:

Clothing

Explanation:

“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

Possible Answers:

Catalyst

Antecedent

Detention

Ailment

Inspiration

Correct answer:

Ailment

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Carcinogenic

Option

Toxic

Terror

Risk

Correct answer:

Risk

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Hiatus

Heroine

Order

Kowtow

Polyglot

Correct answer:

Order

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Stronghold

Bastion

Rule

Gala

Festival

Correct answer:

Rule

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Supporting

Hubris

Dismissive

Penitent

Disconsolate

Correct answer:

Supporting

Explanation:

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 #36 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

SYMPOSIUM

Possible Answers:

Meeting

Savage

Agreement

Puzzle

Trial

Correct answer:

Meeting

Explanation:

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 #261 : Synonyms

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

GALA

Possible Answers:

Bulletin

Vocation

Vehicle

Editorial

Festival

Correct answer:

Festival

Explanation:

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 #262 : Synonyms

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

PANEGYRIC

Possible Answers:

Tenet

Eulogy

Creed

Hiatus

Connoisseur

Correct answer:

Eulogy

Explanation:

"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 #263 : Synonyms

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

ASPIRATION

Possible Answers:

Goal

Hazard

Inspiration

Forte

Mirage

Correct answer:

Goal

Explanation:

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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