ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #61 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DRAWBACK

Possible Answers:

impediment

virtuosity

accretion

gaffe

puissance

Correct answer:

impediment

Explanation:

"Drawback" and "impediment" both mean a disadvantage or hindrance. "Puissance" means energy or force. "Virtuosity" means skill or craft. "Gaffe" means a mistake or faux pas. "Accretion" means a gradual growth or addition.

Example Question #62 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HIATUS

Possible Answers:

conjecture

canon

interval

raconteur

sinecure

Correct answer:

interval

Explanation:

"Hiatus" and "interval" both mean a pause or interruption. "Conjecture" means speculation or assumption. "Sinecure" means a pushover. "Raconteur" means a storyteller or bard. "Canon" means a rule or edict.

Example Question #63 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RHETORIC

Possible Answers:

oratory

minion

vicissitude

conception

luminary

Correct answer:

oratory

Explanation:

"Rhetoric" and "oratory" both mean wordiness or a long speech. "Conception" means beginning or birth. "Vicissitude" means change or fluctuation. "Minion" means a sycophant or lackey. "Luminary" means a celebrity or dignitary

Example Question #64 : Identifying Synonyms

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

QUAGMIRE

Possible Answers:

xenophobe

imbroglio

cloture

hyperbole

gainsay

Correct answer:

imbroglio

Explanation:

"Quagmire" and "imbroglio" both mean a bad situation or dilemma. "Cloture" means a process to bring debate to an end. "Gainsay" means to contradict or disagree. "Hyperbole" means an exaggeration or metaphor. "Xenophobe" means someone afraid of or hateful towards foreigners.

Example Question #65 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PLATITUDE

Possible Answers:

coinage

iniquity

harangue

banality

invective

Correct answer:

banality

Explanation:

"Platitude" and "banality" both mean a dull or overused saying. "Coinage" means the process of making money. "Harangue" means a long lecture or rant. "Invective" means verbal abuse

Example Question #66 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LASSITUDE

Possible Answers:

diligence

lethargy

legerdemain

vigor

largess

Correct answer:

lethargy

Explanation:

"Lassitude" and "lethargy" both mean apathy or fatigue. "Diligence" means perseverance in carrying out an action. "Vigor" means power or energy. "Largess" means generosity. "Legerdemain" means sleight of hand

Example Question #67 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EXIGENCY

Possible Answers:

transient

contingency

hegemony

largess

boon

Correct answer:

contingency

Explanation:

"Exigency" and "contingency" both mean difficulty or crisis. "Boon" means an advantage or blessing. "Hegemony" means dominion or authority. "Transient" means temporary or ephemeral. "Largess" means generosity or aid.

Example Question #68 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ATAVISM

Possible Answers:

pariah

polemic

reversion

pathos

rectitude

Correct answer:

reversion

Explanation:

"Atavism" and "reversion" both mean backsliding or regression. "Pariah" means social outcast. "Pathos" means deep sadness or emotion. "Polemic" means argument or spat. "Rectitude" means uprightness or decency.

Example Question #69 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LIEN

Possible Answers:

consensus

neologism

claim

whelp

suffragist

Correct answer:

claim

Explanation:

"Lien" and "claim" both mean a claim on property. "Consensus" means general agreement or accord. "Suffragist" means a voter or citizen. "Neologism" means a new word. "Whelp" means a young animal, especially a mammal.

Example Question #70 : Identifying Synonyms

COMMANDMENT

Possible Answers:

Rebellion

Insomnia

Compassion

Order

Dearth

Correct answer:

Order

Explanation:

"Commandment" is an official order usually by a government official. "Dearth" means lacking of something. "Compassion" means showing emotion and sympathy for another person. "Insomnia" means sleeplessness or inability to sleep. "Rebellion" means a revolt against a government or some other entity.

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