ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #61 : Synonyms

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

COMPACT

Possible Answers:

Beautiful

Heavy

Pivotal

Agreement

Aware

Correct answer:

Agreement

Explanation:

Be careful on this question! The word "compact" can have two meanings that are pretty different. It can mean dense. Thus, a compact load of laundry is very densely packed. (The option "heavy" is a trick, trying to make you confuse being dense with being heavy.) The other meaning is "agreement." A "compact" is an agreement between two or more people. (Think of the Mayflower Compact that you have perhaps learned about in history class. This was an agreement among the settlers of the Plymouth colony.)

Example Question #62 : Synonyms

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

CENTRAL

Possible Answers:

Aware

Sufficient

Excellent

Important

Plain

Correct answer:

Important

Explanation:

The word "central" can be used to mean in the middle. It can also mean very important. For example, we might say, "She was the central figure in the whole project." This doesn't mean that she merely was in the middle point of the group. She was the most important person involved. (The idea of being central in this sense does come from the general awareness of something being "in the middle" being important often. It is important to see that this involves some changes in meaning.)

Example Question #63 : Synonyms

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

INSPIRING

Possible Answers:

Uncalculated

Moving

Laughable

Moral

Surprising

Correct answer:

Moving

Explanation:

When we are "inspired" by something, that thing makes us feel filled with hope. An inspirational speech makes us want to go and be the best that we can be. In a way, such a speech "moves" us—it moves our emotions at least. The word "moving" can be used to talk about physical movement. It can also be used to mean "inspirational" or something that brings out a person's emotions. It is in this sense that it is the correct answer for this question.

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

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

JOIN

Possible Answers:

Express

Connect

Put

Place

Elaborate

Correct answer:

Connect

Explanation:

The verb "to join" can be used to describe the action of entering a group. For instance, when someone "joins a book club," he or she becomes a member of that group. This meaning of "to join," however, is based on the more basic meaning—to connect. Thus, you can say, "He joined together the two sticks using glue."

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

What is a synonym for decent?

Possible Answers:

amazing

joyful

familiar

natural

adequate

Correct answer:

adequate

Explanation:

When something is decent, it is "okay" or even respectable.  Sometimes, we use this to describe someone's personality: "He was a decent man."   This means that he was a good man—or at least good enough and honest.  Sometimes, we can use the word to mean "enough" or "an adequate amount."  For example, you could say, "He ate a decent amount of food."  This means that he ate an acceptable amount of food.  It isn't too much, though it is definitely not too little.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

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

KIND

Possible Answers:

Cheerful

Bubbly

Distracted

Type

Sullen

Correct answer:

Type

Explanation:

Do not be tricked by a question like this! When someone is "kind," he or she is likely nice and helpful. However, this does not mean that he or she is happy or "bubbly." You can be kind without being overly happy. This question is using "kind" in the sense of meaning a particular category. Thus, we say, "Chocolate is a kind of candy." This could also be said, "Chocolate is a type of candy."

Example Question #63 : Synonyms

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

LEAK

Possible Answers:

Open

Divulge

Indicate

Slip

Press

Correct answer:

Divulge

Explanation:

The word "leak" can have several meanings (though they are related). Whenever a substance "leaks," it oozes out from its container. Thus, you can have leaky pipe, a leaky tire, or even a leaky bottle of shampoo. The word can also be used in the sense of "leaking a secret." This is the way that the word is being used in this question. None of the options pertain to leaking physical substances. The word "divulge" means "to tell information that should have been kept secret." It is like the information leaked out from its secrecy!

Example Question #65 : Synonyms

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

SEVERE

Possible Answers:

Bossy

Loud

Intense

Peaceful

Surprising

Correct answer:

Intense

Explanation:

The word "severe" can be used either to describe a personality trait or to describe something more general. A person is "severe" when he or she is harsh, mean, or strict. A thing or event is "severe" when it is terrible, painful, or very strong. Thus, a severe storm is a very strong storm. The only option that expresses one of these meanings is "intense." Whenever a storm is very strong, it is intense.

Example Question #64 : Synonyms

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

GROUND

Possible Answers:

Low

Pulverized

Dirty

Level

Dignified

Correct answer:

Pulverized

Explanation:

The word "ground" can have multiple meanings. Yes, it can mean the physical ground beneath your feet. It is also a form of the verb to grind. Thus, when something has been "ground up," it has been crushed into little pieces. When we "pulverize" something, we smash it into little pieces, almost like dust. Therefore, among the options provided, only "pulverize" is a good synonym. Several of the options are traps—dirty and low, especially. These might describe aspects of the physical ground. They do not, however, function as synonyms for "ground" in this sense.

Example Question #67 : Synonyms

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

LABOR

Possible Answers:

Apply

Struggle

Attempt

Pay

Try

Correct answer:

Struggle

Explanation:

The word "labor" can be used as a noun meaning work. When used as a verb, however, it emphasizes the difficulty involved with a given attempt to work on something. Thus, it basically means to work very hard at something. Therefore, the only option that is acceptable is "struggle." If you said, "I labored at the task all day," this could be translated, "I struggled very hard all day at the task."

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