ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement

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

WIZENED

Possible Answers:

Lofty

Aged

Serene

Haughty

Sage

Correct answer:

Aged

Explanation:

“Wizened” means very old and wrinkled with age, so "aged" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “sage” means wise when used as an adjective; “serene” means quiet and peaceful; “lofty” means high and proud; and “haughty” means arrogant.

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.

WANTON

Possible Answers:

Predictable

Mercurial

Random

Overzealous

Dormant

Correct answer:

Random

Explanation:

“Wanton” means random, but it also can mean cruel and malicious. Most commonly it is used to mean random and destructive, so "random" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “mercurial” means changing emotions, decisions, or plans on a whim; “predictable” means easily anticipated; “dormant” means inactive or asleep; and “overzealous” means too passionate or overly enthusiastic.

Example Question #252 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

EXTANT

Possible Answers:

contemporary

ephemeral

diffident

equivocal

extinct

Correct answer:

contemporary

Explanation:

"Extant" and "contemporary" both mean existing in the present. "Extinct" means dead or obsolete. "Diffident" means hesitant or unconfident. "Ephemeral" means momentary or passing. "Equivocal" means doubtful or uncertain

Example Question #253 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

IMMINENT

Possible Answers:

Innate

Pristine

Indigent

Inherent

Impending

Correct answer:

Impending

Explanation:

Do not confuse the word “imminent” with “immanent,” which means “being within something” or “innate.” The word “imminent” means “something that will occur very soon.” For instance, it would be used in a sentence like, “While many believed that another world war was unlikely to happen in the next several months, John sincerely thought such a danger was imminent.”

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement

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

ANTIQUATED

Possible Answers:

Outmoded

Atrocious

Ornate

Extraordinary

Attributable

Correct answer:

Outmoded

Explanation:

Antiquated, while it sounds like antique, refers to something being old or outdated, not beautiful and detailed. So in this set, the best answer would be outmoded, which means worn out or old.

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.

NASCENT

Possible Answers:

Miraculous

Willful

Foolish

Incipient

Experienced

Correct answer:

Incipient

Explanation:

"Nascent" is an adjective that means "just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential," and is especially used to refer to a process or organization. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something lie "just coming into existence." "Experienced," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "experienced" means "having knowledge or skill in a particular field, especially a profession or job, gained over a period of time," making "experienced" an antonym of "nascent," not a synonym. "Incipient," however, is an adjective that means either "in an initial stage; beginning to happen or develop," or when used of a person, "developing into a specified type or role." Because "incipient" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "nascent," "incipient" is the correct answer.

Example Question #631 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ETERNAL

Possible Answers:

Timeless

Godly

Venerable

Revered

Religious

Correct answer:

Timeless

Explanation:

There may be many meanings that come to mind when thinking of the word “eternal,” but only the idea of “timelessness” is most appropriate. It literally means “having no beginning or end in time.” This is the only acceptable answer among those provided.

Example Question #632 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SENILE

Possible Answers:

Toothless

Feeble

Old-fashioned

Insane

Crazed

Correct answer:

Feeble

Explanation:

When people become weak as they age, they reach a point at which they are often called “senile.” This often implies not merely physical weakness but more often imply mental weakness and disability. While the options “insane” and “crazed” might tempt you, the best option is the simple “feeble.” The other two options are more than mental feebleness but could indicate a pathology that is unrelated to aging. In the American system of government, “senators” are given that name because they are supposed to be the “old men,” wiser than more youthful representatives.

Example Question #633 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ARCHAIC

Possible Answers:

Candid

Inchoate

Antediluvian

Placid

Ubiquitous

Correct answer:

Antediluvian

Explanation:

Since "archaic" is an adjective that means "very old," we're looking for another adjective that has to do with age, and specifically means "old." Of the possible choices, both "inchoate" and "antediluvian" have to do with age, but whereas "inchoate" means "not fully formed or developed; rudimentary," "antediluvian" means "of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood," or less specifically, "very old." (You can figure out this meaning by looking at the word's component parts: the prefix "ante-" means "before," and "diluvian" suggests something to do with water (think of "dilute," and "deluge," for instance). So, the correct answer is "antediluvian."

Example Question #854 : Synonyms

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

BUCOLIC

Possible Answers:

Counterfeit

Pastoral

Metropolitan

Recondite

Bothersome

Correct answer:

Pastoral

Explanation:

"Bucolic" and "pastoral" both mean agrarian or rural. "Metropolitan" means urban or municipal. "Counterfeit" means fake or simulated. "Recondite" means mysterious or obscure. "Mettlesome" means brave or spirited.

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