All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Nouns
Edifice most nearly means __________.
resolution
building
delicatessen
restaurant
resolve
building
The word “edifice” comes from Latin roots either literally meaning “building” or also “to make a building.” When we “edify” someone, we “build them up” or improve them. The best option is the very general term “building” and none of the more specific building types mentioned.
Example Question #25 : Synonyms: Nouns
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TERMINAL
End
Diagnosis
Disease
Prognostication
Sickness
End
Often, we speak of a “terminal illness,” and several of the wrong answers are meant to tempt you into thinking choosing them because of this association. What is meant when we so call an illness is that it is going to lead to the end of life of the person diagnosed. The “term” of something is its “end” in the sense of being the very last point with regard to that thing (the end of life, the end of a stick, etc).
Example Question #29 : Synonyms: Nouns
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ARRAY
Perjury
Assortment
Frenzy
Mishap
Distraction
Assortment
An “array” is an assortment of many different types of things, so "assortment" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, a “distraction” is something that takes your attention away from whatever you are focused on; “perjury” is the act of lying under oath in court; a "mishap” is something minor that goes wrong; and a "frenzy" is a brief span of intense emotion or activity.
Example Question #251 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GARB
Clothing
Possessions
Plaudits
Lamentations
Limitations
Clothing
“Garb” is another word for garments or "clothing," often referring to a specific set of clothes used for a particular purpose or when one takes on a particular role. As for the other answer choices, “possessions” are things that are owned; “limitations” are restrictions or things that hold people back; “plaudits” are congratulations or praise; “lamentations” are spoken acts of mourning.
Example Question #252 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MALADY
Inspiration
Antecedent
Catalyst
Ailment
Detention
Ailment
A “malady” is a disease, sickness, or "ailment." As for the other answer choices, “detention” means the act of being punished or imprisoned by being placed in custody or this state of imprisonment; a “catalyst” is something that provides impetus for or helps start a reaction or an event; “inspiration” means motivation or something that causes someone to act willingly; “antecedent” means precursor, forerunner, or a thing that comes before another thing.
Example Question #253 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HAZARD
Carcinogenic
Risk
Toxic
Terror
Option
Risk
When used as a noun, the word "hazard" is used to describe something that is dangerous. The adjectival form "hazardous" is often used to describe various things that are dangerous—hazardous roads, hazardous traffic, hazardous waste, and so forth. Among the options given here, most of them are somehow related to hazardous things. If something is dangerous, it is likely a terror. Likewise, a toxic thing is hazardous, as is a carcinogenic (i.e. cancer-causing) thing, but a "hazard" is simply a dangerous thing. Thus, the general word "risk" is the best option for this question.
Example Question #254 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
WRIT
Hiatus
Polyglot
Order
Kowtow
Heroine
Order
A "writ" is a legal command, an order to appear before court. The closest answer therefore is "order." To provide further help, a "heroine" is a female hero; "hiatus" means break, rest period; "kowtow" means to bow, to defer to another; a "polyglot" is a speaker of multiple languages.
Example Question #255 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRECEPT
Rule
Stronghold
Festival
Gala
Bastion
Rule
A "precept" is a rule or principle meant to govern behavior. To provide further help, "bastion" and "stronghold" are synonyms; both words mean an institution that upholds a dying ideal. "Gala" means festival.
Example Question #256 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ADJUNCT
Dismissive
Hubris
Disconsolate
Supporting
Penitent
Supporting
An "adjunct" is a thing added to something to be supportive or complementary. The closest answer choice is "supportive." To provide further help, "disconsolate" means unable to be consoled, unable to be comforted; "dismissive" means ignoring, not taking something into account; "hubris" is excessive pride; "penitent" means remorseful, seeking forgiveness from God.
Example Question #257 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SYMPOSIUM
Savage
Puzzle
Meeting
Trial
Agreement
Meeting
A "symposium" is a meeting. Usually it is a business conference, or a meeting to discuss a particular idea. A "trial" is a judicial event specifically designed to assess guilt or innocence, while a symposium has no such goal. While an "agreement" may be reached at a "symposium" the two words are not synonymous.
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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
