ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #871 : Synonyms

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

ARCHAIC

Possible Answers:

Obsolete

Tedious

Obscure

Philosophical

Historical

Correct answer:

Obsolete

Explanation:

The word "archaic" describes something that is very ancient. Often, this also implies that the given thing is out of date. The word "obsolete" best describes something of this sort. Do not be tricked by "historical". Things that are not very ancient can still be historical. Likewise, something archaic might be tedious to deal with, but this is not necessarily the case. 

Example Question #872 : Synonyms

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

INTERMITTENT

Possible Answers:

Frequent

Exhaustive

Fastidious

Sporadic

Torpid

Correct answer:

Sporadic

Explanation:

"Intermittent" means sporadic, occurring randomly and infrequently. To provide further help, "fastidious" means obsessive and hard to please; "exhaustive" means comprehensive; "frequent" means occurring regularly; "torpid" means lethargic, lacking energy

Example Question #873 : Synonyms

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

EXPEDIENT

Possible Answers:

Incumbent

Truculent

Reticent

Convenient

Ebullient

Correct answer:

Convenient

Explanation:

"Expedient" when used as an adjective means convenient, advantageous. When used as a noun it means a means of achieving something, a scheme. To provide further help, "reticent" means reluctant to share, withdrawn; "truculent" means aggressive; "ebullient" means enthusiastic; "incumbent," when used as an adjective, means required, obligatory. "Incumbent" can also be used as a noun in which case it means person who already holds the office or title

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Authenticity, Understanding, And Importance

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

PRIVY

Possible Answers:

odorous

relaxing

destructive

informed

Correct answer:

informed

Explanation:

Privy means to be in on or sharing some secret knowledge, or informed.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Authenticity, Understanding, And Importance

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

SPURIOUS

Possible Answers:

Annoying

Reactive

Immediate

False

Impetuous

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

The word “spurious” most generally means false or fake, often implying that the fake thing does not at first appear to be fake, though it really is. Often, one will find the word used to describe a “spurious argument” or a “spurious claim,” meaning arguments and claims that are ultimately false.

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Authenticity, Truth, Existence, And Understanding

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

DEMONSTRATIVE

Possible Answers:

Languishing

Near

Participatory

Inconclusive

Indisputable

Correct answer:

Indisputable

Explanation:

"Demonstrative" is an adjective that can mean openly demonstrating feelings or providing conclusive proof. We need to pick out an adjective that means something like showing feelings or providing proof. "Inconclusive" cannot be the correct answer because it is an antonym of the second meaning of "demonstrative," providing conclusive proof. "Indisputable," however, is an adjective that means unable to be disputed and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "demonstrative," "indisputable" is the correct answer.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Authenticity, Understanding, And Importance

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

AFFECTED

Possible Answers:

Equivocal

Laconic

Garrulous

Pretentious

Miserly

Correct answer:

Pretentious

Explanation:

Affected means artificial or pretentious.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Authenticity, Understanding, And Importance

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

DUBIOUS

Possible Answers:

Lying

Fraudulent

Mendacious

Uncertain

Arrogant

Correct answer:

Uncertain

Explanation:

When used as an adjective, the word “dubious” means “doubting” or “hesitating.” It is clearly related to “dubious” as well as the word “indubitable,” which means “unable to be doubted.” It would be used in a sentence like, “Since the argument presented to him was rather weak, John remained rather dubious regarding the truth of its conclusions.” Among the options provided, “uncertain” is the closest to this sense.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Authenticity, Understanding, And Importance

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

CANDID

Possible Answers:

Corporal

Prevalent

Caustic

Impartial

Ubiquitous

Correct answer:

Impartial

Explanation:

"Candid" means impartial, open, or honest. "Caustic" means burning or sarcastic. "Corporal" means bodily or physical. "Prevalent" means accepted or widespread. "Ubiquitous" means ever-present or pervasive

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Authenticity, Understanding, And Importance

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

COGNITIVE

Possible Answers:

irrational

logical

irascible

eclectic

voluble

Correct answer:

logical

Explanation:

"Cognitive" and "logical" both mean reasonable or rational. "Irrational" means illogical or senseless. "Eclectic" means comprehensive or diverse. "Irascible" means crabby or cantankerous. "Voluble" means talkative or chatty

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors