ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #274 : Synonyms

Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

CHAFF

Possible Answers:

scrape

refuse

enmity

barge

Correct answer:

refuse

Explanation:

A well-known idiom speaks of "separating the wheat from the chaff"—that is, separating out that which has value from that which is worthless. In a literal sense, "chaff" can describe the protective casing around a seed that is burned up once the seed has been removed. More commonly the word is used to describe anything that is useless and expendable. Be careful to to confuse "chaff" with "chafe" (damage by rubbing). Also keep in mind that "refuse" here is the noun (pronounced REF-yoos) that means garbage—not the more-familiar verb (pronounced ri-FYOOZ) that means to turn down an offer.

Example Question #275 : Synonyms

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

ZEAL

Possible Answers:

tirade

apathy

leviathan

lethargy

fervor

Correct answer:

fervor

Explanation:

"Zeal" and "fervor" both mean enthusiasm or devotion. "Apathy" means an uncaring attitude or lack of interest. "Lethargy" means laziness or sluggishness. "Tirade" means abuse or outburst. "Leviathan" means colossus or behemoth.

Example Question #276 : Synonyms

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

REPROOF

Possible Answers:

turpitude

censure

implication

elegy

guile

Correct answer:

censure

Explanation:

"Reproof" and "censure" both mean blame or criticism. "Elegy" means dirge or lament. "Turpitude" means corruption or debauchery. "Implication" means association or suggestion. "Guile" means slyness or cleverness

Example Question #277 : Synonyms

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

PECCADILLO

Possible Answers:

remedy

impropriety

zenith

transient

skepticism

Correct answer:

impropriety

Explanation:

"Peccadillo" and "impropriety" both mean a small fault or misdemeanor. "Zenith" means the highest point or apex. "Transient" means something temporary or ephemeral. "Skepticism" means doubt or questioning. "Remedy" means a cure or solution

Example Question #278 : Synonyms

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

TIRADE

Possible Answers:

endorsement

adulation

harangue

transient

tangent

Correct answer:

harangue

Explanation:

"Tirade" and "harangue" both mean an angry outburst. "Adulation" means overenthusiastic praise. "Endorsement" means support or authorization. "Transient" means something temporary or fleeting. "Tangent" means something touching or related.

Example Question #279 : Synonyms

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

ENCOMIUM

Possible Answers:

censure

accolade

epitome

blasphemy

dictum

Correct answer:

accolade

Explanation:

"Encomium" and "accolade" both mean warm praise. "Censure" means severe criticism or condemnation. "Blasphemy" means irreverence or heresy. "Dictum" means a saying or proverb. "Epitome" means a perfect example or abbreviation.

Example Question #280 : Synonyms

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

ASPERSION

Possible Answers:

defamation

belligerence

alacrity

adulation

commendation

Correct answer:

defamation

Explanation:

"Aspersion" and "defamation" both mean libel or slander. "Adulation" means overenthusiastic praise. "Commendation" means praise or acclaim. "Alacrity" means alertness or liveliness. "Belligerence" means a fight or aggression.

Example Question #281 : Synonyms

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

CALUMNY

Possible Answers:

slander

panegyric

chicanery

synthesis

chagrin

Correct answer:

slander

Explanation:

"Calumny" and "slander" both mean a scandalous remark or disparagement. "Panegyric" means acclaim or praise. "Synthesis" means combining or combination. "Chagrin" means displeasure or annoyance. "Chicanery" means trickery or deceit

Example Question #282 : Synonyms

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

CANARD

Possible Answers:

hoax

edict

veracity

contaminant

charlatan

Correct answer:

hoax

Explanation:

"Canard" and "hoax" both mean a lie or deception. "Veracity" means truth or accuracy. "Charlatan" means a trickster or fraud. "Contaminant" means a pollutant. "Edict" means a pronouncement or order.

Example Question #283 : Synonyms

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

APOGEE

Possible Answers:

nadir

guile

hilarity

drawback

pinnacle

Correct answer:

pinnacle

Explanation:

"Apogee" and "pinnacle" both mean the highest point or zenith. "Nadir" means the lowest point or bottom. "Drawback" means a disadvantage. "Guile" means slyness or cleverness. "Hilarity" means laughter or amusement

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