ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #771 : Synonyms

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

COPIOUS

Possible Answers:

Plentiful

Simplistic

Meager

Derelict

Abrasive

Correct answer:

Plentiful

Explanation:

“Copious” means plentiful or available in excess, so "plentiful" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “derelict” means falling apart, in bad condition; “abrasive” means rude and harsh; “simplistic” means not complicated or simple; and “meager” means of insufficient quantity.

Example Question #772 : Synonyms

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

EPHEMERAL

Possible Answers:

Customized

Fleeting

Charming

Perpetual

Fragile

Correct answer:

Fleeting

Explanation:

“Ephemeral” means impermanent, not lasting forever, temporary, or "fleeting." "Perpetual" means never-ending or incessant; "fragile" means easily broken; "customized" means personalized or adjusted to meet a particular need; and "charming" means having a pleasant personality or delightful in appearance.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

ABORTIVE

Possible Answers:

contemptuous

premature

elegant

thwarted

Correct answer:

thwarted

Explanation:

Abortive means failing to produce the intended result, or thwarted.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

LANGUID

Possible Answers:

speech

boundary

lazy

nuisance

hyper

Correct answer:

lazy

Explanation:

"Languid" means slow or sluggish, so the best choice for this is lazy.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

DELETERIOUS

Possible Answers:

undone

beneficial

appropriate

baneful

helpful

Correct answer:

baneful

Explanation:

We are looking for a synonym of "deleterious," which means harmful. Both "helpful" and "beneficial" are the opposite of harmful, and "undone" is unrelated. "Baneful" means harmful.

Example Question #176 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

HEINOUS

Possible Answers:

effusive

pure

evil

diseased

dogmatic

Correct answer:

evil

Explanation:

"Effusive" means to pour out emotions, and "dogmatic" means firmly holding beliefs. "Heinous" means evil, making "evil" the only possible answer choice.

Example Question #177 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

CAUSTIC

Possible Answers:

fledgling

hapless

acerbic

highfalutin

soothing

Correct answer:

acerbic

Explanation:

"Caustic" and "acerbic" both mean burning or corrosive. "Soothing" means calming or pacifying. "Highfalutin" means pompous or arrogant. "Fledgling" means apprentice or newcomer. "Hapless" means unfortunate or unlucky.

Example Question #781 : Synonyms

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

SUBTLE

Possible Answers:

forthright

understated

tutelary

ignorant

nascent

Correct answer:

understated

Explanation:

"Subtle" and "understated" both mean indirect or delicate. "Forthright" means straightforward or honest. "Ignorant" means unaware or unknowing. "Nascent" means budding or fledgling. "Tutelary" means protective or custodial.

Example Question #782 : Synonyms

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

PRONE

Possible Answers:

fetid

futile

axiomatic

apt

ambivalent

Correct answer:

apt

Explanation:

"Prone" and "apt" both mean liable or likely. "Fetid" means foul or rancid. "Futile" means hopeless or pointless. "Ambivalent" means conflicting or contradictory. "Axiomatic" means understood or accepted.

Example Question #783 : Synonyms

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

IRONCLAD

Possible Answers:

abiding

quaint

furtive

percipient

colloquial

Correct answer:

abiding

Explanation:

"Ironclad" and "abiding" both mean fixed or rigid. "Colloquial" means particular to a certain area. "Percipient" means alert or awake. "Furtive" means sneaky or secretive. "Quaint" means oddly nostalgic

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