ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #617 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FAMISHED

Possible Answers:

Neglected

Dying

Tedious

Ravenous

Hungry

Correct answer:

Ravenous

Explanation:

The word "famished" describes someone who is extremely hungry. For this reason, the option "ravenous" is a much better option than "hungry," for "ravenous" means exactly what you need for this question—very hungry. Perhaps you have heard of someone being said to have a "ravenous appetite". This means that he or she has a very large appetite.

Example Question #618 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HINDER

Possible Answers:

Impede

Trace

Detract

Placate

Expose

Correct answer:

Impede

Explanation:

You likely know the word "hinder" as meaning to make (something) difficult. Thus, if stones were to roll across a major mountain road, such a situation would hinder the flow of traffic. The word "impede" means to delay by adding to the difficulty of a situation. It comes from the same Latin roots as the word "foot," actually. (Think of related words like "pedal" and "pedestrian".) It literally means to place on the foot—im + pede. If you placed something on your foot, it certainly would impede your travel!

Example Question #619 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DESTITUTE

Possible Answers:

Impoverished

Disheartened

Conquered

Depressed

Excluded

Correct answer:

Impoverished

Explanation:

When someone is in a state of "destitution," he or she is in a state of absolute poverty, so much so that he or she cannot provide for day-to-day living. Thus, the adjective "destitute" describes such a person. While none of the options describe extreme poverty, "impoverished" is the only one that indicates the state of lacking money. Hence, this is the best option among those provided.

Example Question #241 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

MUNIFICENT

Possible Answers:

Mordant

Pervasive

Obtuse

Political

Magnanimous

Correct answer:

Magnanimous

Explanation:

"Munificent" is an adjective meaning overly generous or philanthropic. "Magnanimous" is a close synonym meaning especially kind or generous. "Obtuse" means stubborn or foolish, "mordant" means biting, or critical and is often associated with dry humor, "political" means having to do with government, and "pervasive" means common or deeply ingrained.

Example Question #242 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PARCHED

Possible Answers:

Maudlin

Tired

Thirsty

Hungry

Energetic

Correct answer:

Thirsty

Explanation:

"Parched," when used to describe a person means very thirsty. "Parched," when used to describe the land means dried up, lacking water. To provide further help, "maudlin" means overly sentimental

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adverbs

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

UTTERLY

Possible Answers:

Formerly

Faithfully

Completely

Seldom

Gingerly

Correct answer:

Completely

Explanation:

“Utterly” means completely and is often heard in the redundant phrase “completely and utterly.” As for the other answer choices, “faithfully” means loyally; "gingerly" means with delicacy and care; "seldom" means infrequently; and "formerly" means previously.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement

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

PASSÉ

Possible Answers:

Modern

Continual

Measurable

Exuberant

Outdated

Correct answer:

Outdated

Explanation:

"Passé" is an adjective that means "no longer fashionable; out of date," so we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "no longer fashionable" or "out of date." "Modern," then cannot be the correct answer because "modern" is an antonym of "passé," not a synonym. "Outdated," however, is an adjective that means "out of date; obsolete," and because it is the answer choir that is closest in meaning to "passé," "outdated" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement

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

SPONTANEOUS

Possible Answers:

Contentious

Deliberate

Importune

Impromptu

Premeditated

Correct answer:

Impromptu

Explanation:

"Spontaneous" and "impromptu" both mean impulsive or unplanned. "Deliberate" means intentional or calculated. "Premeditated" means planned or intended. "Contentious" means quarrelsome or combative. "Importune" means to demand or insist

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement

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

YOUNG

Possible Answers:

Excessive

Juvenile

Ill

Belligerent

Idyllic

Correct answer:

Juvenile

Explanation:

The word "young" is an adjective that means being in the early stages of growth or immature. The best choice here is "juvenile" since it shares the same definition as "young"—immature. Considering the other choices, "ill" is an adjective that means physically sick, "excessive" means being in too large of a quantity or more than is needed, "idyllic" means ideally charming or romantic, and "belligerent" means eager to fight.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement

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

TRANSITORY

Possible Answers:

Foreign

Expedited

Impermanent

Nomadic

Explosive

Correct answer:

Impermanent

Explanation:

“Transitory” means impermanent or not lasting, so "impermanent" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “nomadic” means living a lifestyle in which one wanders and does not live in one place; "expedited" means hastened; "foreign" means originating in a country different from one's own; and “explosive” means volatile or likely to explode like a bomb.

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