ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #764 : Synonyms

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

GREGARIOUS

Possible Answers:

Fertile

Disgusting

Sociable

Innate

Pungent

Correct answer:

Sociable

Explanation:

"Gregarious" means sociable or enjoying the company of others, so "sociable" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "gregarious": "innate" means natural or inherent; "disgusting" means causing revulsion or off-putting; "fertile" means productive, able to produce a lot of vegetation, or able to bear young; and "pungent" means having a powerful smell or taste.

Example Question #765 : Synonyms

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

ELITIST

Possible Answers:

Nonplussed

Petrified

Desirable

Snobbish

Apprehensive

Correct answer:

Snobbish

Explanation:

Someone who is "elitist" is arrogant and thinks they are better than other people. The closer answer choice to this definition is "snobbish." To provide further help, "petrified" means very scared; "apprehensive" means cautious and worried; "desirable" means wanted; "nonplussed" means confused

Example Question #766 : Synonyms

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

DISTINGUISHED

Possible Answers:

Comely

Portly

Eminent

Frivolous

Permissive

Correct answer:

Eminent

Explanation:

"Distinguished" is an adjective used to describe a person who is accomplished, famous and eminent within their field. To provide further help, "permissive" means tolerant; "portly" means fat; "comely" means cute; "frivolous" means wasted, not necessary

Example Question #767 : Synonyms

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

FORMIDABLE

Possible Answers:

Pusillanimous

Bestial

Reticent

Timorous

Daunting

Correct answer:

Daunting

Explanation:

"Formidable" means imposing and daunting. To provide further help, "reticent" means reserved; "timorous" means timid, easily frightened; "pusillanimous" means cowardly; "bestial" means savage, like a beast

Example Question #768 : Synonyms

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

UNCTUOUS

Possible Answers:

Abstruse

Nominal

Obtuse

Acute

Fawning

Correct answer:

Fawning

Explanation:

"Unctuous" means excessively ingratiating, fawning, someone who debases themselves for someone else's approval. To provide further help, "abstruse" means hard to understand; "obtuse" means dim-witted, not smart; "acute" means sharp, quick-witted; "nominal" means insignificant

Example Question #769 : Synonyms

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

CRAVEN

Possible Answers:

Parsimonious

Haughty

Generous

Cowardly

Miserly

Correct answer:

Cowardly

Explanation:

Someone who is "craven" is cowardly and pathetic. To provide further help, "miserly" and "parsimonious" are synonyms, both words mean stingy, not generous with money. Finally, "haughty" means arrogant, bold and disdainful towards others

Example Question #770 : Synonyms

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

IRASCIBLE

Possible Answers:

Malleable

Petulant

Detestable

Sinewy

Regal

Correct answer:

Petulant

Explanation:

"Irascible" means irritable, quick-tempered, easily angered. This is closest in meaning to "petulant," which means bad-tempered, badly-behaved. To provide further help, "sinewy" means strong and muscular; "detestable" means deserving of hatred; "malleable" means flexible, easily changed; "regal" means of or related to royalty

Example Question #771 : Synonyms

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

MORDANT

Possible Answers:

Scathing

Hapless

Bestial

Dejected

Raucous

Correct answer:

Scathing

Explanation:

"Mordant" means having a harsh and critical tone, scathing, caustic. To provide further help, "bestial" means savage, like a beast; "hapless" means unlucky, hopeless, useless; "dejected" means very sad; "raucous" means loud and out of control

Example Question #772 : Synonyms

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

PERSPICACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Pretentious

Alluring

Gauche

Factious

Discerning

Correct answer:

Discerning

Explanation:

"Perspicacious" means discerning and astute, able to notice things that others would not. To provide further help, "factious" means causing disagreement; "gauche" means tacky and unrefined, lacking grace; "alluring" means attractive, appealing; "pretentious" means trying to impress others by exaggerating one's characteristics or by being fake and trendy

Example Question #773 : Synonyms

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

RETICENT

Possible Answers:

Arduous

Confident

Withdrawn

Assiduous

Painstaking

Correct answer:

Withdrawn

Explanation:

"Reticent" means shy, reserved, withdrawn. To provide further help, "arduous" and "painstaking" both describe a challenging or difficult task; "assiduous" means industrious, hard working

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