Synonyms

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ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms

Questions 1 - 10
1

A synonym of "flighty" is __________.

inconstant

dependable

promised

languorous

quiet

Explanation

"Flighty" is an adjective that means "fickle and irresponsible," so we need to pick out a word that means something like "fickle" or "irresponsible." "Dependable," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "dependable" means "trustworthy and reliable," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "flighty." "Inconstant," however, is an adjective that means either "frequently changing; variable or irregular," or when referring to a person or their behavior, "not faithful and dependable." Because "inconstant" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "flighty," "inconstant" is the correct answer.

2

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

FIEND

Villain

Ally

Communicator

Interrogator

Reviewer

Explanation

The word "fiend" comes originally from the word for a demon or a devil. We generally use it, however, to describe any kind of villain. It is in this sense that it is being used in this question. Such a villain need not be a wicked person in a story. We sometimes use the word also when we describe someone who abuses his or her fellow human beings, as when we say, "Thomas was nothing more than a fiend, given how he stole from all of the elderly in his neighborhood."

3

A synonym of "nonchalant" is . . .

unconcerned

excited

friendly

irresponsible

quiet

Explanation

"Nonchalant" is an adjective that refers to a person or manner and means "feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not worried" or "not interested." While "irresponsible" may look like a potentially correct answer choice simply because both "nonchalant" and "irresponsible" begin with negative prefixes, "irresponsible" means "not responsible" and is not similar in meaning to "nonchalant," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Unconcerned," however, means "showing a lack of worry or interest, especially when this is surprising or callous." Because "unconcerned" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "nonchalant," "unconcerned" is the correct answer.

4

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

SAGE

Wise

Candid

Altruistic

Innocent

Affable

Explanation

A "sage" is someone with a high level of wisdom or, in its adjectival form, "sage" means learned. Therefore, the best answer choice is "wise," since it is the direct definition of "sage." In terms of the other answer choices, "candid" means honest, "affable" means kindly, "altruistic" means willing to give generously, and someone who is "innocent" is naive in certain aspects of life.

5

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

LABORIOUS

Difficult

Mediocre

Simple

Mundane

Overt

Explanation

"Labor" means work, so it makes sense that “laborious” means involving hard work, or "difficult." “Mundane” means boring or ordinary; “mediocre” means average when higher quality was expected; and "overt" means obvious or easy to notice.

6

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

INTERSPERSED

Mixed

Planted

Fixated

Tenacious

Regular

Explanation

The prefix "inter-" should help you to figure out this word's meaning, even if you do not know it otherwise. This prefix means between. When you go to a theatre show, there is "intermission." This is the break that is between the main acts. This prefix should not be confused with "intra-," which means within. Now, "interspersed" means scattered between. When something is sparse, it is scattered. Thus, the "-spersed" portion of the word means scattered. When you intersperse something among other things, you mix it into them. Thus, the best option for this question is "mix."

7

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

BRISK

Quick

Fierce

Forlorn

Leisurely

Steady

Explanation

Something that is "brisk" is best summarized as quick or fast; for example, a "brisk" wind is one that is blustering. In terms of the other answer choices, "forlorn" means lonely; "steady" means constant; "leisurely" means laidback; and "fierce" means strong or aggressive.

8

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

HOMELY

Unattractive

Welcoming

Sermonic

Sweet

Explanation

Because of the obvious root home, it is easy to think that "homely" means warm and welcoming (like "homey"). Be careful not to make this common mistake—"homely" does derive from "home," but it has traveled from there through the sense of plain and unadorned to our modern meaning of plain and unattractive. Be careful also not to confuse "homely" with "homily," which means a sermon.

9

A synonym of "unruly" is __________.

rowdy

well-behaved

beneficial

opinionated

low

Explanation

"Unruly" is an adjective that means "disorderly and disruptive and not amenable to discipline or control." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "disruptive." "Well-behaved" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "well-behaved" is an antonym of "disruptive." "Rowdy," however, is an adjective that means "noisy and disorderly," and because "rowdy" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "unruly," "rowdy" is the correct answer.

10

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

DEMONSTRATIVE

Open

Evil

Layered

Illegal

Explanation

The word "demonstrative" means serving the purpose of showing and explaining. The best choice is "show" as it is a part of the definition of "demonstrative."

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