Synonyms: Nouns for Abstract Concepts

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HSPT Language Skills › Synonyms: Nouns for Abstract Concepts

Questions 1 - 9
1

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

ENIGMA

Puzzle

Mysterious

Noxious

Reliable

Disoriented

Explanation

An "enigma" is a noun meaning mystery or puzzle. "Puzzle" is also a noun, while "mysterious" is an adjective meaning difficult to understand. "Puzzle" is a better choice than "mysterious" because "puzzle" and "enigma" are both nouns.

"Noxious" is an adjective meaning poisonous; harmful.

"Disoriented" is also an adjective. It means not oriented; confused. You might become disoriented in the forest and walk in the opposite direction of your campsite.

"Reliable" is an adjective meaning trustworthy.

2

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

EQUANIMITY

Calmness

Whimper

Entrance

Disinfectant

Escape

Explanation

"Equanimity" means calmness or emotional composure. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "equanimity": "whimper" means whine; "entrance" means the way by which one enters a place; "disinfectant" means a substance that kills germs; and "escape" means getaway.

3

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

NUANCE

Subtlety

Differentiate

Enhance

Ensconce

Obfuscate

Explanation

"Nuance" is a noun which means fine shade of meaning. Your acting teacher might tell you to pay attention to the nuances of an actor's performance. This means that you are paying attention to the subtle differences in vocal tone, emotion or facial expressions that the actor uses to enhance understanding of his performance. "Subtlety" is a noun which means being delicate or precise. This is a similar meaning to "nuance."

"Differentiate" is a verb meaning to recognize differences between things. You may use your skills of differentiation to determine the fine nuances in the actor's performance, but it is the act of making the determination, not the fine shades of meaning themselves.

"Enhance" is a verb which means to make better.

"Ensconce" is a verb which means to settle in a secret place.

"Obfuscate" is a verb which means to make unclear; to confuse or bewilder.

4

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

COMMOTION

Disturbance

Examination

Verification

Malice

Creativity

Explanation

"Commotion" means disturbance. "Examination" means an inspection or test. "Verification" is the process of determining the truth or validity of something. "Malice" means malevolence. "Creativity" means imaginativeness or inventiveness.

5

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

AMALGAMATION.

Union

Separation

Location

Absence

Suspension

Explanation

An “amalgamation” is a coming together, a union. The term is most commonly used to describe a business merger, but it can be used to describe any coming together in general.

6

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

SAGACITY

Wisdom

Foolishness

Premonition

Perpetuity

Oblivion

Explanation

"Sagacity" means wisdom. "Foolishness" is an antonym of "sagacity"; it means stupidity or silliness. None of the other words have the same meaning as "sagacity." "Premonition" means a feeling about what will happen in the future, usually something bad. "Persistence" means the refusal to quit at a difficult task or the existence of something over time. "Oblivion" means unconsciousness.

7

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

LEVITY.

Lightheartedness

Suspicion

Misery

Darkness

Degradation

Explanation

“Levity” means humor or lightheartedness. For clarification, degradation is a synonym for poverty and squalor.

8

Synonyms: choose the answer that is closest in meaning to the word in question.

Plethora

Abundance

Dearth

Ruse

Conflict

Permanence

Explanation

"Plethora" means an abundance of or a lot of; Dearth is a lack of; Ruse is a trick; Conflict means disagreement or problem; and Permanence means lasting forever.

9

"Aberration" most nearly means __________.

deviance

fleeting

freezing

consideration

imitation

Explanation

An "aberration" is something that occurs outside the normal range. You might say, "Since he normally hit home runs, Dan's strikeout was an aberration." "Deviation" has a similar meaning of something that happens outside of the normal course of events. "Fleeting" is an adjective meaning happening for a short brief time, and as such cannot be synonymous. "Freezing" is an adjective used to describe a temperature below zero degrees celsius or the feeling of being very cold. An "imitation" is a copy.

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