Synonyms
Help Questions
ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.