Synonyms - ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning

"Seldom" is an adverb that means not happening often. The best choice is "rarely" because it means infrequently and is a synonym of "seldom." Something that seldom happens rarely happens.

When something occurs "periodically," it occurs regularly in a given period of time. For instance, the periodic swinging of a pendulum is the time that it takes for it to swing back and forth. Likewise, the occurrence of a full moon occurs periodically—according to a fixed period of the moon's orbiting around the earth. By itself, the word "periodically" does not indicate whether or not something occurs frequently, quickly, or rarely. It merely indicates that something happens at regular intervals.

The word "occasionally" is an adverb that could be rewritten, on occasion or on a given occasion. The implication is that it describes something that happens sometimes but not always. It does not necessarily state that it occurs rarely. Likewise, it is not proper to use "occasionally" to indicate that you do something frequently. You wouldn't say, "I occasionally eat asparagus," but actually mean that you eat it every day of the year. To indicate that you eat it every day of the year, you would say, "I always eat asparagus." To say "occasionally" is to indicate that the activity being described is sporadic—now and then, on occasion.

Given that Michelle has not been able to commit to a regular exercise regime, the best answer is a word that describes irregularity. "Sporadically"means to do something at inconsistent intervals. Therefore, "sporadically"is the word that best fits the sentence.

The word "natural" comes from roots related to birth. Something that is "natural" is inborn. Thus, if someone has a naturally happy attitude, that person is happy in an unreflective way. He or she just "is happy"—as though he or she was born that way. The word has taken on the meaning "genuinely" because such a natural disposition is not something that is faked.

An "instant" is a very short period of time. Whenever something happens in a very short time, it happens "instantaneously." This means that it happens almost immediately.

When someone feels weary, they are tired and fatigued.

"Dormant" is an adjective that means "not doing anything at this time : not active but able to become active," or "having normal physical functions suspended or slowed down for a period of time; in or as if in a deep sleep." So, neither "awake" nor "energetic" can be the correct answer because each is an antonym of "dormant," not a synonym. "Inactive" is the closest synonym to "dormant" amongst the listed answer choices, so "inactive" is the correct answer.

"Convoluted" is an adjective that means "extremely complex and difficult to follow" and is used of arguments, stories, or sentences. So, neither "simple" nor "straightforward" can be the correct answer because each of these words are antonyms of "convoluted," not synonyms. "Complex," however, is an adjective that means "consisting of many different and connected parts" or "not easy to analyze or understand; complicated or intricate." Because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "convoluted," "complex" is the correct answer.

When something is dismal such as a dismal day, it means that it is bleak or desolate.

"Contrary" is an adjective that means "opposite in nature, direction, or meaning," so we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "opposite." "Similar" cannot be the correct answer because "similar" is an antonym of "opposite," but because "opposite" is one of the answer choices, and the answer choice closest in meaning to "contrary," "opposite" is the correct answer.

"Auspicious" is an adjective that can mean either "conducive to success; favorable," or "giving or being a sign of future success." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that is an adjective and means something like "favorable." So, "ominous" cannot be the correct answer because "ominous" means "giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious," so "ominous" is an antonym of "auspicious." "Promising," however, is an adjective that means "showing signs of future success," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "auspicious," "promising" is the correct answer.

"Famished" is an adjective that means "extremely hungry," so we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "extremely hungry." "Satiated," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "satiated" means "satisfy (a desire or an appetite) to the full," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "famished." "Ravenous," however, is an adjective that means "extremely hungry" or when referring to hunger or need, "very great; voracious." Because "ravenous" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "famished," "ravenous" is the correct answer.

Estranged refers to a person, often a family member, who is no longer close with another person, or alienated from him/her; therefore, "distant" is the best answer.

Diligent, which is often used to describe someone as hardworking, also means displaying care or being dutiful in one's work. "Conscientious" means the same thing, someone who works well and thoroughly.

"Precise" means marked by exactness, as in the sentence, "In order for the science experiment to work, we must make very precise measurements." "Exact" is most similar in meaning to "precise," so "exact" is the correct answer.

Incorrect answers:

"Perfect" is not the best answer because although you might describe precise measurements as being "perfect," the word "perfect" means as good as it is possible to be. For example, you might say "That was a perfect book report" or "I got a perfect score on my test." So, "exact" is close in meaning to "precise" than "perfect" is.

"Interesting" means holding or catching attention, as in the sentence, "The museum display of brightly colored butterflies was interesting to the students."

"Formal" means following accepted conventions or rules, as in the sentence, "My teacher's first name is Susan, but we address her formally as Mrs. Brown."

The correct answer is "drowsy," which means groggy or sleepy. "Lively," "energetic," and "active" are all opposites of "tired." "Drowsy" is the only word that means nearly the same thing as "tired."

The word "extinct" refers to species of living things and means no longer existing or gone. "Gone" is the best choice because it is part of the definiton of "extinct."

"Destructive" means causing damage. Ruinous also means disastrous or causing damage, so "ruinous" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, "considerable" means noticeable due to large size or amount, "brief" means short or quick, a "frontier" is a border between two countries, and to "boast" means to talk about yourself and your achievements with pride.

When a process is "automated," it is done by a machine instead of by a human. "Mechanized" also refers to procedures that are completed by machines. If you have trouble remembering these words, just think about how a machine (a similar word that you likely know) is automatic. "Personalized" has a very different meaning; it means changed to fit an individual's unique needs. "Bland" means tasteless, and "reckless" means careless or willing to do dangerous things without worrying about the consequences.

Both enchanting and delectable can be defined as highly pleasing.

Discouraging, dueling, and dreadful are antonyms to enchanting.

Something enchanting may or may not be confusing, so that does not work either.