Identifying Synonyms

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ISEE Upper Level Verbal Reasoning › Identifying Synonyms

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

PRECISE

Methodical

Arduous

Annoying

Similar

Industrious

Explanation

When someone is "precise," he or she is exact about details. Now, this can be used to mean that the person is not vague (in speech, writing, etc). It can also mean that the person is very exacting about details when working. Such a person is well described as being "methodical." This word describes someone who works on something by using a fixed method. This allows him or her to address all needed details for the given matter (instead of randomly working on it and, thus, missing important details).

2

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

FURTIVE

Hidden

Explicit

Refulgent

Clear

Passionate

Explanation

Several of the proposed answers attempt to get you to confuse "furtive" with "fervent." The latter word means passionate and fierce. The word _"_furtive" actually comes from the Latin word for "thief". A thief acts under the cover of darkness and behaves secretively. Thus, when something is "furtive" it is secret or hidden. Therefore, the best option among those provided is "hidden."

3

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

BLEAK

Desolate

Fertile

Abundant

Perceptive

Flagrant

Explanation

“Bleak” means desolate, bare, lifeless, and depressing. A situation can also be “bleak,” which means hopeless. As for the other answer choices, “fertile" can mean able to produce lots of vegetation and crops; "abundant" means found in large numbers; “perceptive” means insightful, sensitive, and noticing many things; and "flagrant" means overt and brazen and is often used to describe instances in which someone purposely breaks rules.

4

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

ARBITRARY

Whimsical

Legal

Judgmental

Flimsy

Argumentative

Explanation

You might be tempted to see the word “arbiter” in “arbitrary.” They are not unrelated, for both pertain to a judgment being made. However, when something is "arbitrary," it is done at the whim of the one judging. It has no real reason other than that person’s desires or passions. Therefore, an “arbitrary” decision could be called “whimsical.” All of the other answers (except “flimsy”) are meant to trick you.

5

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

PRECISE

Methodical

Arduous

Annoying

Similar

Industrious

Explanation

When someone is "precise," he or she is exact about details. Now, this can be used to mean that the person is not vague (in speech, writing, etc). It can also mean that the person is very exacting about details when working. Such a person is well described as being "methodical." This word describes someone who works on something by using a fixed method. This allows him or her to address all needed details for the given matter (instead of randomly working on it and, thus, missing important details).

6

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

STIPPLE

dapple

stupefy

surmise

transmute

vilify

Explanation

"Stipple" and "dapple" both mean to mark with numerous small dots or marks. "Stupefy" means to stun or astonish. "Surmise" means to come to a conclusion. "Transmute" means to convert or alter. "Vilify" means to criticize over harshly.

7

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

ARBITRARY

Whimsical

Legal

Judgmental

Flimsy

Argumentative

Explanation

You might be tempted to see the word “arbiter” in “arbitrary.” They are not unrelated, for both pertain to a judgment being made. However, when something is "arbitrary," it is done at the whim of the one judging. It has no real reason other than that person’s desires or passions. Therefore, an “arbitrary” decision could be called “whimsical.” All of the other answers (except “flimsy”) are meant to trick you.

8

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

DILIGENT

Industrious

Devoted

Regular

Fixated

Delightful

Explanation

When someone is "diligent," he or she is devoted to his or her work. Now, while this would likely make you think that "devoted" would be the best option, actually "industrious" is slightly better. When someone is "industrious," he or she is works with great care and devotion. This expresses the role of work in the devotion better than the simple word "devoted."

9

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

PAROCHIAL

Limited

Heavenly

Posh

Naive

Ponderous

Explanation

"Parochial" means having a limited worldview, provincial. So the best answer choice is "limited." To provide further help, "posh" means wealthy and refined; "ponderous" means slow moving, boring; "naive" means gullible, easily tricked into believing lies; "heavenly" means lovely, divine.

10

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

RESOLUTE

Steadfast

Voted

Agreed

Tacit

Difficult

Explanation

The word "resolute" comes from similar roots as "resolve" and "resolution." These words mean in general to come to a determined decision. The particular adjective "resolute" describes someone who has decided in a fixed and unchanging manner. Thus, the best answer is "steadfast," which describes someone in a similar manner.

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