Synonyms

Help Questions

ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

MULTITUDE

Crowd

Election

Politician

Vote

Mathematician

Explanation

The word "multitude" has the root "multi-" in it, meaning many. You know this from words like "multiply" and many words that have "multi-" before them (like "multi-faceted" and so forth). The word "multitude" can be used as an adjective, meaning something like a lot or many—"a multitude of flowers." However, it can also be used as a noun meaning many things or a gathered group of many things. For instance, "The multitude gathered in the town square." This can mean either something like "the common mob" or, perhaps, just "a crowd."

You can tell that your answer will have to follow the noun version of "multitude" because all of your options are nouns. The only option that directly captures the sense of a group is "crowd." You might be tempted to think of "multitude" as related to "majority," which would lead you to choose either "election," "vote," or (perhaps) "politician." Do not be tricked in this way. "Crowd" is by far the best option provided.

2

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

FREQUENT

Often

Jealous

Usually

Burrow

Modest

Explanation

"Frequent" means happening again and again with little time in between events. Anorther word for "frequent" is often, so "often" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, "jealous" means envious or wanting what someone else has, "usually" means under normal circumstances, a "burrow" is a hole in the ground that certain animals dig and live in, and to "burrow" means to dig a hole in the ground, and "modest" means not taking as much credit as one should for one's achievements or talent.

3

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

NATURALLY

Genuinely

Temporarily

Angrily

Slyly

Quickly

Explanation

The word "natural" comes from roots related to birth. Something that is "natural" is inborn. Thus, if someone has a naturally happy attitude, that person is happy in an unreflective way. He or she just "is happy"—as though he or she was born that way. The word has taken on the meaning "genuinely" because such a natural disposition is not something that is faked.

4

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

PARDON

Forgive

Reward

Punish

Remedy

Quake

Explanation

To "pardon" someone means to forgive them, to excuse behavior. To provide further help, "remedy" means fix, solution, solve; "quake" means tremor, shake.

5

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

NATURALLY

Genuinely

Temporarily

Angrily

Slyly

Quickly

Explanation

The word "natural" comes from roots related to birth. Something that is "natural" is inborn. Thus, if someone has a naturally happy attitude, that person is happy in an unreflective way. He or she just "is happy"—as though he or she was born that way. The word has taken on the meaning "genuinely" because such a natural disposition is not something that is faked.

6

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DUBIOUS

Doubtful

Double

Wrong

Hasty

Explanation

The word "dubious" means doubtful or untrustworthy. The best choice is "doubtful" because it is part of the definition of "dubious_._"Considering the other choices, "double" means two of something, "wrong" means not correct, and "hasty" means quick.

7

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

ACCURATE

Precise

General

Uncertain

Incorrect

Explanation

The correct answer is "precise." "Precise" and "accurate" are synonyms because both mean exact. The other words do not mean "accurate."

8

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

LIVID

Angry

Restful

Intelligent

Quick

Explanation

When someone is "livid," they are extremely angry. Other words with the same meaning are "furious" and "enraged." "Restful," a word that means calm and quiet, and "intelligent," or smart, are adjectives that do not imply any anger at all. "Quick" and "livid" have nothing to do with each other.

9

Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ENAMORED

Captivated

Frustrated

Alleviated

Circumstantial

Momentous

Explanation

The root -amor- means love, friend. So, "enamored" means in love with, obsessed with. This is closest in meaning to "captivated" which means fascinated by, attracted to, in love with. Additionally, "momentous" means massive, of great importance; "frustrated" means annoyed, irritated; "alleviated" means (of pain) made better, soothed; "circumstantial" means (of evidence) indirect, only partially relevant or applicable.

10

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

DUO

Pair

Triplets

Trifecta

Quartet

Community

Explanation

The prefix "du-" means relating to two of something; it is found in words like "duet" (song for two singers or musical piece for two performers), "dual" (having two of something), and "duel" (a fight between two people in which specific rules are followed, often arranged because one competitor has somehow deeply insulted the other). Thus, it makes sense that "duo" means a pair. “Triplets” are sets of three of the same thing or three babies born at the same time to the same mother; a “trifecta” is a group of three great things working together; a “quartet” is a team of four.

Page 1 of 100