ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #671 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SUPERFICIAL

Possible Answers:

analytical

profuse

somber

perfunctory

genuine

Correct answer:

perfunctory

Explanation:

"Superficial" and "perfunctory" both mean shallow or trivial. "Analytical" means systematic or examining. "Genuine" means authentic or real. "Profuse" means abundant or excessive. "Somber" means sad or depressing

Example Question #672 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ELABORATE

Possible Answers:

intricate

morose

facile

inveterate

concise

Correct answer:

intricate

Explanation:

"Elaborate" and "intricate" both mean detailed or complicated. "Facile" means easy or effortless. "Inveterate" means long-standing or established. "Concise" means short and to the point. "Morose" means depressed or pessimistic

Example Question #673 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NEGLIGIBLE

Possible Answers:

Neglectful

Negative

Insignificant

Opposite

Careless

Correct answer:

Insignificant

Explanation:

The word “negligible” is related to “neglect,” though it does not directly mean that. When something is “negligible,” there is so little of it that it is not even worth being thought about. That is, one can neglect thinking about it. It would be used in a sentence like, “The health benefits of running an extra three miles on top of his regular five were so negligible that he decided to forego the extra exercise.” The sense is that they are “insignificant.”

Example Question #674 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ANCILLARY

Possible Answers:

Necessary

Prejudiced

Conciliatory

Meet

Supplemental

Correct answer:

Supplemental

Explanation:

"Ancillary," when used as an adjective, means "providing necessary support to the primary activities or operation of an organization, institution, industry, or system," or "additional; subsidiary." So, "necessary" cannot be the correct answer because it is an antonym of "ancillary." "Supplemental," an adjective that means "something that completes or enhances something else when added to it," is the answer choice closest in meaning to "ancillary," so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #675 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SUPERFLUOUS

Possible Answers:

Poignant

Garrulous

Cordial

Unnecessary

Pompous

Correct answer:

Unnecessary

Explanation:

“Superfluous” means extraneous and unnecessary, so "unnecessary" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “poignant” means touching or moving, making one feel that something is sad and meaningful; “pompous” means arrogant and self-obsessed; “garrulous” means talkative; and "cordial” means polite.

Example Question #676 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DUBIOUS

Possible Answers:

Suspicious

Increased

Interesting

Fragrant

Halved

Correct answer:

Suspicious

Explanation:

The word "dubious" comes from the same roots as words like "doubt" and "doubtful." The general meaning of these words implies uncertainty. When something is dubious, it is doubtful. Hence, it can seem suspicious. Thus, one might say, "The evidence offered for the argument was dubious. Therefore, the investigator decided to probe further, suspicious that he was being lied to."

Example Question #677 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VERIDICAL

Possible Answers:

Propagating

Truthful

Green

Boisterous

Healthy

Correct answer:

Truthful

Explanation:

Several of these options try to trick you into misreading this word's base. The options "propagating", "green", and "healthy" all try to get you to read "verdant." This word means green and growing healthily. Thus, a "verdant forest" is one that is healthy and green. The word "veridical" actually comes from the Latin root for truth. Think of the word "verify", which means to investigate the truth of the matter. Likewise, the "-dic-" part of this word comes from the Latin for to say or speak, as in words like "dictate" or "diction." Thus, something that is "verdical" is something that speaks the truth. Thus, the correct answer is "truthful."

Example Question #678 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LICIT

Possible Answers:

Proscribed

Criminal

Legal

Agreeable

Commendable

Correct answer:

Legal

Explanation:

For some words, it is best to use vocabulary that you likely do know so that you can come up with the meaning for a given unknown word. Thus, you likely know "illicit."  This word means illegal or criminal.  The prefix "il-" means not. Thus, "illicit" could be read as being not licit or not legal. The word "licit" means legal, allowed, or permitted. Thus, among the options provided, the best option is "legal."

Example Question #679 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FUNDAMENTAL

Possible Answers:

Divisive

Logical

Vital

Grounded

Edifying

Correct answer:

Vital

Explanation:

The foundation of a house is the base upon which the whole thing is built. When we say that some principle is "foundational", we mean to say that it is essential and of great importance. Now, the word "vital" can mean living; however it indicates above all that something is very important. Do not be tricked by "grounded" or even "edifying". These options are trying to get you to choose something that reminds you of physical foundations. They are not direct synonyms, however.

Example Question #680 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UNAMBIGUOUS

Possible Answers:

Clear

Impartial

Rousing

Tedious

Lengthy

Correct answer:

Clear

Explanation:

You may know the word "ambiguous," which means having multiple interpretations. An ambiguous expression is one that could be understood in many different ways. Now, when something is un-ambiguous, it is not ambiguous. Therefore, this means that it is very clear and does not have multiple interpretations. Thus, the simple option "clear" is the best for this question!

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