ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #261 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

BUCOLIC

Possible Answers:

Flowing

Pastoral

Diseased

Plague

Mellifluous

Correct answer:

Pastoral

Explanation:

The word “bucolic” pertains to things of the countryside, as the word comes from the Greek and Latin for “herdsman.” The word “pastoral” is often used in religious contexts to describe someone who takes care of religious matters, particularly interpersonal ones. The word took on this meaning through its association with the idea of such a person being a “good shepherd;” therefore, the best match for bucolic would be “pastoral.” Note that while bucolic often is used as an adjective, as in “a bucolic landscape,” it can also be used as a noun meaning a type of poem that pertains to country life.

Example Question #262 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices.  Choose the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

TEMPERATE:

Possible Answers:

unassuming

uncontrolled

excessive

proficient

moderate

Correct answer:

moderate

Explanation:

An example of when to use the word temperate is to describe climate.  A temperate area would be between the tropics and arctic.  Thus, it has a moderate temperature and weather; it is not excessively hot or cold.

Example Question #263 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ACCUSTOMED

Possible Answers:

Habitual

Unorthodox

Heretical

Melancholy

Orthodox

Correct answer:

Habitual

Explanation:

"Accustomed" means established, regular, or "habitual." “Habitual” means done often as a habit. As for the other answer choices, “orthodox” means conforming to traditionally accepted truth, usually political or religious; “unorthodox” means unconventional and non-conformist. “Heretical” is similar to “unorthodox,” but is specifically related to religion; it means practicing religion that is against the religious authorities, but can also be used more generally to mean believing or thinking something that is not believed or thought by most people. "Melancholy" means sad in a contemplative way.

Example Question #264 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

BLEAK

Possible Answers:

Abundant

Perceptive

Flagrant

Desolate

Fertile

Correct answer:

Desolate

Explanation:

“Bleak” means desolate, bare, lifeless, and depressing. A situation can also be “bleak,” which means hopeless. As for the other answer choices, “fertile" can mean able to produce lots of vegetation and crops; "abundant" means found in large numbers; “perceptive” means insightful, sensitive, and noticing many things; and "flagrant" means overt and brazen and is often used to describe instances in which someone purposely breaks rules.

Example Question #265 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

AGRARIAN

Possible Answers:

Growing

Trite

Natural

Rustic

Angry

Correct answer:

Rustic

Explanation:

"Agrarian" is an adjective that means pertaining to the countryside or farmers. The best choice is "rustic" because it shares the meaning of pertaining to the countryside. Considering the other choices, "angry" is not appropriate because it means expressing anger, "trite" means meaningless due to overuse"Growing" and "natural" may each seem like good answer choices because they have connotations related to farms and farming, but "rustic" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "agrarian," so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #266 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

QUIP

Possible Answers:

Wound

Joke

Stab

Arrow

Fantastical

Correct answer:

Joke

Explanation:

Likely, knowledge of the word "quip" is a matter of vocabulary. Its roots are rarely used in other words. In general a quip is a witty joke. The word can also be used as a verb to indicate the act of making such a joke. Thus, the best option among those given is the simple word "joke."

Example Question #267 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

TERMINAL

Possible Answers:

Fortuitous

Medicinal

Final

Avian

Ill

Correct answer:

Final

Explanation:

The word "terminal" comes from the Latin word "terminus," meaning end or limit. At the airport, the "terminals" are the corridors at which fliers catch their planes. They are called "terminals" precisely because they are on the ends of the main buildings, thus being approachable by incoming and outgoing planes. A "terminal illness" is an illness that is likely to be fatal. It is one that will lead to the terminus of life—that is, to the end of life. Thus, among the options provided, the best option is "final." Something that is "terminal" is final. Do not be tricked into thinking that "ill" or "medicinal" are correct just because of their relation to health issues. That is not the same as being a terminal illness.

Example Question #871 : Synonyms

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

ARCHAIC

Possible Answers:

Obsolete

Tedious

Obscure

Philosophical

Historical

Correct answer:

Obsolete

Explanation:

The word "archaic" describes something that is very ancient. Often, this also implies that the given thing is out of date. The word "obsolete" best describes something of this sort. Do not be tricked by "historical". Things that are not very ancient can still be historical. Likewise, something archaic might be tedious to deal with, but this is not necessarily the case. 

Example Question #872 : Synonyms

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

INTERMITTENT

Possible Answers:

Frequent

Exhaustive

Fastidious

Sporadic

Torpid

Correct answer:

Sporadic

Explanation:

"Intermittent" means sporadic, occurring randomly and infrequently. To provide further help, "fastidious" means obsessive and hard to please; "exhaustive" means comprehensive; "frequent" means occurring regularly; "torpid" means lethargic, lacking energy

Example Question #873 : Synonyms

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

EXPEDIENT

Possible Answers:

Incumbent

Truculent

Reticent

Convenient

Ebullient

Correct answer:

Convenient

Explanation:

"Expedient" when used as an adjective means convenient, advantageous. When used as a noun it means a means of achieving something, a scheme. To provide further help, "reticent" means reluctant to share, withdrawn; "truculent" means aggressive; "ebullient" means enthusiastic; "incumbent," when used as an adjective, means required, obligatory. "Incumbent" can also be used as a noun in which case it means person who already holds the office or title

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