All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #301 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
WINDFALL
Increase
Jackpot
Misfortune
Trip
Exhale
Jackpot
"Windfall' is a noun that is defined as "an unexpected, unearned, or sudden gain or advantage" or "a piece of unexpected good fortune, typically one that involves receiving a large amount of money." While "trip" may sound like a potentially correct answer because "windfall" is created from a combination of the words "wind" and "fall," "windfall" does not mean "to knock something over with wind" or have anything to do with falling, so neither "blow over" nor "trip" can be the correct answer. "Jackpot," a noun meaning "a large cash prize in a game or lottery, esp. one that accumulates until it is won," is the closest synonym to "windfall" amongst the listed answer choices, so it is the correct answer.
Example Question #302 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
APEX
Chaff
Contempt
Eon
Foremost
Pinnacle
Pinnacle
Since "apex" is a noun that means "the top or highest part of something, especially one forming a point," we need to pick out another noun that means "top." While "foremost" means "most prominent in rank, importance, or position," it is an adjective, and not a noun - it describes something at the top, not the top itself, so it can't be the right answer. "Pinnacle," however, means "a high, pointed piece of rock" or "the most successful point; the culmination," and since it is closest in meaning to "apex," it is the right answer.
Example Question #80 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EMINENCE
Predetermined
Dynamism
Permeability
Prestige
Inferiority
Prestige
Eminence often refers to royalty, and means dominance or superiority—in this case, "prestige," which also means superiority or power, is the best synonym.
Example Question #81 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VIM
Opinion
Energy
Tendency
Boredom
Generosity
Energy
"Vim" is a noun defined as "robust energy and enthusiasm." So, "boredom" cannot be the correct answer because it is an antonym of "vim." "Energy" is the closest synonym to "vim" amongst the listed answer choices, so "energy" is the correct answer.
Example Question #82 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BLUNDER
Condemn
Error
Fool
Slice
Stumble
Error
A "blunder” is a mistake that is often foolish. For this reason, we often imply a number of other secondary meanings when we use the term. For instance, we think of things like “a blundering fool.” While this is fine, the general point is that a blunder is a mistake; therefore, the best option here is “error.”
Example Question #83 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
KERFUFFLE
Material
Ignition
Fluff
Ruin
Disagreement
Disagreement
"Kerfuffle" is a noun and is another word for a disagreement or fight. The best choice here is "disagreement" because it shares the same meaning. Considering the other choices, the word "ignition" means the act of setting something on fire or the act of starting an engine. "Fluff" means light, soft particles, and "ruin," when used as a noun, means a state of decay or disrepair.
Example Question #84 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
RITE
Same
Ability
Correct
Ceremony
Wrong
Ceremony
The word "rite" is a noun that means a ceremonial act. "Ceremony" is the best choice because it is related to the word rite, meaning a formal observance. Considering the other choices, "wrong" is an adjective that means not correct, "correct" means true, and "same" means identical.
Example Question #303 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SCHTICK
Act
Staff
Insult
Stream
Prologue
Act
A "schtick" (also spelled "shtick") is a routine or act done to gain a laugh or draw attention to oneself. The best choice here is "act," since it is a part of the definition of "schtick." Considering the other choices, "staff" means a group of people charged with carrying out the work of a particular establishment or a rod used to support one's weight when walking, "stream" means a flowing body of water or liquid, "insult" means a statement that offends, and "prologue" means a distinct introductory section in a literary work.
Example Question #86 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TRUCE
Battlefield
Scroll
Honesty
Armistice
Armor
Armistice
A "truce" is an agreement to delay fighting for a set period of time. "Armistice," which shares the same meaning, is therefore the best choice. Considering the other choices, "armor" is any item warn for protection in a fight, "honesty" means truthfulness, "battlefield" is the area in which a battle takes place, and a "scroll" is a rolled up piece of paper or parchment either written on or able to be written on.
Example Question #304 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IDIOSYNCRASY
Vagrant
Defection
Foreshadowing
Authority
Peculiarity
Peculiarity
An "idiosyncrasy" is a manner of behavior unique to one person, or a “peculiarity.” “Defection” is the act of deserting one’s country or party in favor of the direct opponent or desertion; “authority” means power or the person or entity who is in charge; “foreshadowing” means an act of warning of something that will happen in the future; a “vagrant” is a tramp or someone who wanders from place to place begging to survive.
All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
