ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement

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

IMMINENT

Possible Answers:

Pristine

Impending

Inherent

Innate

Indigent

Correct answer:

Impending

Explanation:

Do not confuse the word “imminent” with “immanent,” which means “being within something” or “innate.” The word “imminent” means “something that will occur very soon.” For instance, it would be used in a sentence like, “While many believed that another world war was unlikely to happen in the next several months, John sincerely thought such a danger was imminent.”

Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement

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

ANTIQUATED

Possible Answers:

Ornate

Atrocious

Extraordinary

Outmoded

Attributable

Correct answer:

Outmoded

Explanation:

Antiquated, while it sounds like antique, refers to something being old or outdated, not beautiful and detailed. So in this set, the best answer would be outmoded, which means worn out or old.

Example Question #10 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement

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

NASCENT

Possible Answers:

Foolish

Experienced

Incipient

Willful

Miraculous

Correct answer:

Incipient

Explanation:

"Nascent" is an adjective that means "just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential," and is especially used to refer to a process or organization. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something lie "just coming into existence." "Experienced," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "experienced" means "having knowledge or skill in a particular field, especially a profession or job, gained over a period of time," making "experienced" an antonym of "nascent," not a synonym. "Incipient," however, is an adjective that means either "in an initial stage; beginning to happen or develop," or when used of a person, "developing into a specified type or role." Because "incipient" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "nascent," "incipient" is the correct answer.

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement

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

ETERNAL

Possible Answers:

Godly

Religious

Revered

Venerable

Timeless

Correct answer:

Timeless

Explanation:

There may be many meanings that come to mind when thinking of the word “eternal,” but only the idea of “timelessness” is most appropriate. It literally means “having no beginning or end in time.” This is the only acceptable answer among those provided.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement

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

SENILE

Possible Answers:

Feeble

Crazed

Insane

Toothless

Old-fashioned

Correct answer:

Feeble

Explanation:

When people become weak as they age, they reach a point at which they are often called “senile.” This often implies not merely physical weakness but more often imply mental weakness and disability. While the options “insane” and “crazed” might tempt you, the best option is the simple “feeble.” The other two options are more than mental feebleness but could indicate a pathology that is unrelated to aging. In the American system of government, “senators” are given that name because they are supposed to be the “old men,” wiser than more youthful representatives.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement

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

ARCHAIC

Possible Answers:

Ubiquitous

Candid

Placid

Inchoate

Antediluvian

Correct answer:

Antediluvian

Explanation:

Since "archaic" is an adjective that means "very old," we're looking for another adjective that has to do with age, and specifically means "old." Of the possible choices, both "inchoate" and "antediluvian" have to do with age, but whereas "inchoate" means "not fully formed or developed; rudimentary," "antediluvian" means "of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood," or less specifically, "very old." (You can figure out this meaning by looking at the word's component parts: the prefix "ante-" means "before," and "diluvian" suggests something to do with water (think of "dilute," and "deluge," for instance). So, the correct answer is "antediluvian."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Location, Context, Order, And Direction

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

BUCOLIC

Possible Answers:

Counterfeit

Recondite

Metropolitan

Bothersome

Pastoral

Correct answer:

Pastoral

Explanation:

"Bucolic" and "pastoral" both mean agrarian or rural. "Metropolitan" means urban or municipal. "Counterfeit" means fake or simulated. "Recondite" means mysterious or obscure. "Mettlesome" means brave or spirited.

Example Question #631 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VERDANT

Possible Answers:

Lush

Conventional

Verified

Agreeable

Truthful

Correct answer:

Lush

Explanation:

Perhaps you have heard of “salsa verde,” or green salsa. The word “verdant” is related to the word for green in Latin as well as Spanish ("verde") and French ("vert"). It means green with plant growth, usually describing the countryside. In some translations of the Bible, one finds the expression, “in verdant pastures,” describing the location of the shepherd’s work. This means in green, lively pastures. Thus, among the options provided, “lush” is the best, as it means growing to a great degree.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Location, Context, Order, And Direction

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

INDIGENOUS

Possible Answers:

Toiling

Trudging

Destitute

Native

Impoverished

Correct answer:

Native

Explanation:

The word “indigenous” means “native to a given location” or at least coming from that place. For instance, one can speak of the “indigenous people” living in Australia as opposed to the British settlers who later arrived there. Do not confuse the word “indigenous” with “indigent,” which means “poor” or “needy.”

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement

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

DERELICT

Possible Answers:

Gaudy

Dauntless

Sparse

Deserted

Somber

Correct answer:

Deserted

Explanation:

"Derelict" means deserted, vacant or abandoned. "Sparse" means very few or scattered. "Somber" means sad or depressing. "Gaudy" means flashy or tastelessly showy. "Dauntless" means bold or courageous.

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