ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2083 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

INDICATION

Possible Answers:

Prognosis

Conclusion

Evidence

Diagnosis

Argument

Correct answer:

Evidence

Explanation:

An indication is a sign of something else. Thus, someone's fever can be an indication of illness. The only option that is synonymous in this manner is "evidence." For instance, it is basically the same thing to say, "The fever is an indication of illness," as it is to say, "The fever is evidence of illness."

Example Question #2084 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

LENIENCY

Possible Answers:

Instability

Voracity

Clemency

Laziness

Redundancy

Correct answer:

Clemency

Explanation:

When someone is lenient, he or she is not overly harsh in some regard. For example, a lenient grader is someone who gives grades that are not overly critical. Also, someone can be lenient with regard to a punishment, meaning that he or she does not give out very harsh punishments. For this reason, a good synonym for "leniency" is "mercy." The word "clemency" means either "mercy" or "leniency."

Example Question #2085 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

RETALIATION

Possible Answers:

Restitution

Reparation

Retribution

Replication

Reconsideration

Correct answer:

Retribution

Explanation:

When someone "retaliates," he or she responds to a damaging event by creating an equal amount of damage to the person or entity that harmed him or her. Now, it is important to note that retaliation thus deals with doing equal damage. This fact eliminates "reparation" and "restitution" as options. These deal with making a payment to the person whom you have harmed. This is quite different from retaliating. (Indeed, the one who makes reparation or restitution is the very person who caused the harm. The retaliating person is the person who was harmed.) "Retribution" is a kind of punishment that is enacted against a person for the harm that he or she did. Generally, it is implied to be a punishment equal to the crime in question. Thus, among the options provided here at least, this is the best.

Example Question #151 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EXPOSITION

Possible Answers:

Explication

Speech

Presentation

Syllogism

Expression

Correct answer:

Explication

Explanation:

An "exposition" is a complete explanation of some topic. For example, we could say, "The Summa Logicae of William of Ockham was an excellent exposition of all the topics discussed in the logic of his day." Now, do not be tricked by the options presented here. Some, such as "speech" and "presentation" try to trick you into picking certain particular media that are used for giving expositions. Granted, "presentation" can also merely indicate the general act of presenting something; however, insofar as this does not indicate a great depth of explanation, it is not quite the same as "exposition." Thus, the best option is "explication," which is an in depth treatment of a topic.

Example Question #152 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INVENTORY

Possible Answers:

Catalog

Magazine

Warehouse

Shop

Design

Correct answer:

Catalog

Explanation:

An "inventory" is a list of things in a place or a supply of goods stored in a place.

In this case "catalog," meaning a systemized list, closely matches the first definition. A "magazine" is a publication and related to an alternate definition of catalog, a "shop" is a store where one purchases things rather than a store of items, a "warehouse" is a place where inventory might be stored, and a "design" is a systemized plan.

Example Question #153 : Identifying Synonyms

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

REVERIE

Possible Answers:

Daydream

Celebration

Focus

Lunch

Meal

Correct answer:

Daydream

Explanation:

"Reverie" is a noun meaning a meandering train of thought or a state of being lost in pleasant thoughts. A "daydream" is a chain of distractingly pleasant thoughts. The word "focus" is an antonym of "reverie," "meal" and "lunch" are both times when a person eats, and a "celebration" is a large party.

Example Question #154 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HARBINGER

Possible Answers:

affirmation

delusion

hybrid

jargon

portent

Correct answer:

portent

Explanation:

A "harbinger" is a portent, omen, or indication of something. An "affirmation" is a declaration of truth. A "delusion" is a misconception or misbelief. A "hybrid" is a mixture or combination of something. "Jargon" is a specialized language or dialect.

Example Question #155 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DISARRAY

Possible Answers:

Harshness

Fairness

Boor

Order

Chaos

Correct answer:

Chaos

Explanation:

"Disarray" means chaos, not in order. When you here the phrase "in disarray" that means in a chaotic state, out of control. To provide further help, a "boor" is a rude, insensitive person.

Example Question #2091 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

QUANDARY

Possible Answers:

Luminary

Suffrage

Equilibrium

Dilemma

Peer

Correct answer:

Dilemma

Explanation:

A "quandary" is a difficult situation, a problem. As such the best possible answer choice is "dilemma." To provide further help, a "peer" is an equal, someone in your social group; "suffrage" is the right to vote; "equilibrium" is a state of balance; a "luminary" is a notable person in his or her field

Example Question #2092 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

ENNUI

Possible Answers:

Hope

Friendship

Sorrow

Irritation

Boredom

Correct answer:

Boredom

Explanation:

"Ennui" is a state of extreme or long-lasting boredoma feeling of dissatisfaction arising from a complete lack of excitement or entertainment

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