ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms
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Example Questions
Example Question #51 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
CHAFF
refuse
enmity
scrape
barge
refuse
A well-known idiom speaks of "separating the wheat from the chaff"—that is, separating out that which has value from that which is worthless. In a literal sense, "chaff" can describe the protective casing around a seed that is burned up once the seed has been removed. More commonly the word is used to describe anything that is useless and expendable. Be careful to to confuse "chaff" with "chafe" (damage by rubbing). Also keep in mind that "refuse" here is the noun (pronounced REF-yoos) that means garbage—not the more-familiar verb (pronounced ri-FYOOZ) that means to turn down an offer.
Example Question #52 : Identifying Synonyms
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
ZEAL
lethargy
tirade
fervor
leviathan
apathy
fervor
"Zeal" and "fervor" both mean enthusiasm or devotion. "Apathy" means an uncaring attitude or lack of interest. "Lethargy" means laziness or sluggishness. "Tirade" means abuse or outburst. "Leviathan" means colossus or behemoth.
Example Question #53 : Identifying Synonyms
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
REPROOF
elegy
guile
turpitude
implication
censure
censure
"Reproof" and "censure" both mean blame or criticism. "Elegy" means dirge or lament. "Turpitude" means corruption or debauchery. "Implication" means association or suggestion. "Guile" means slyness or cleverness.
Example Question #54 : Identifying Synonyms
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
PECCADILLO
transient
skepticism
zenith
impropriety
remedy
impropriety
"Peccadillo" and "impropriety" both mean a small fault or misdemeanor. "Zenith" means the highest point or apex. "Transient" means something temporary or ephemeral. "Skepticism" means doubt or questioning. "Remedy" means a cure or solution.
Example Question #55 : Identifying Synonyms
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
TIRADE
tangent
endorsement
harangue
adulation
transient
harangue
"Tirade" and "harangue" both mean an angry outburst. "Adulation" means overenthusiastic praise. "Endorsement" means support or authorization. "Transient" means something temporary or fleeting. "Tangent" means something touching or related.
Example Question #56 : Identifying Synonyms
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
ENCOMIUM
censure
accolade
dictum
blasphemy
epitome
accolade
"Encomium" and "accolade" both mean warm praise. "Censure" means severe criticism or condemnation. "Blasphemy" means irreverence or heresy. "Dictum" means a saying or proverb. "Epitome" means a perfect example or abbreviation.
Example Question #57 : Identifying Synonyms
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
ASPERSION
defamation
alacrity
belligerence
adulation
commendation
defamation
"Aspersion" and "defamation" both mean libel or slander. "Adulation" means overenthusiastic praise. "Commendation" means praise or acclaim. "Alacrity" means alertness or liveliness. "Belligerence" means a fight or aggression.
Example Question #58 : Identifying Synonyms
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
CALUMNY
panegyric
chagrin
synthesis
chicanery
slander
slander
"Calumny" and "slander" both mean a scandalous remark or disparagement. "Panegyric" means acclaim or praise. "Synthesis" means combining or combination. "Chagrin" means displeasure or annoyance. "Chicanery" means trickery or deceit.
Example Question #59 : Identifying Synonyms
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
CANARD
veracity
edict
hoax
contaminant
charlatan
hoax
"Canard" and "hoax" both mean a lie or deception. "Veracity" means truth or accuracy. "Charlatan" means a trickster or fraud. "Contaminant" means a pollutant. "Edict" means a pronouncement or order.
Example Question #60 : Identifying Synonyms
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
APOGEE
guile
nadir
drawback
pinnacle
hilarity
pinnacle
"Apogee" and "pinnacle" both mean the highest point or zenith. "Nadir" means the lowest point or bottom. "Drawback" means a disadvantage. "Guile" means slyness or cleverness. "Hilarity" means laughter or amusement.
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