Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings - ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning

The word "rear" can take on two very different meanings. On the one hand, it can mean behind. Think of the "rear seat" of the car. This is the "back seat." Thus, options like "forgotten," "unimportant," and "outdated" might all appear to be correct, for things that are "behind" us are sometimes forgotten, unimportant, or outdated. None of these directly means "behind." Instead, the second meaning is what we need, namely, to raise, parent, or nurture. We use this meaning when we say things like, "He reared his children to be respectful."

(Actually, the word "rear" can also mean, "To raise up or lift up," as when we say, "He reared his head to look at me." This meaning is given here in this question.)

The word "soil" can be used to describe dirt. It also can mean to make dirty. For example, think of when we say, "He soiled his shirt." This means that the person got some kind of dirt on his shirt. Now, you can also make someone's reputation "dirty." This is another acceptable meaning for "soil", at least in an extended sense. Thus, you can say, "When Harold told the secret in public, he soiled Egbert's reputation." This means that Harold damaged Egbert's reputation. This is the only option that works as an acceptable synonym.

Whenever something is said to have "structure" or to be a "structure," we are saying that the thing in question has or is an organized arrangement. We do tend to use the word to describe physical buildings. Thus, a house or a large tower is a "structure." We say this because the building is an arrangement of parts that come together to make one, unified building; however, anything that is organized can be called "structured." Some of the other options may tempt you because they are related to physical buildings; however, only "organized" expresses this idea about having an ordered structure.

We tend to use the word "explosive" to think of things that physically explode—often with very dangerous and fiery consequences; however, think of what explosions are like. They are very sudden things. Quickly, some small item blasts outward—it explodes. Sometimes, we speak of "explosive" things metaphorically, like an "explosive population growth in ducks." This means that the ducks have suddenly had a significant increase in population. Although some of the other options are somehow related to the general notion of explosions, only "sudden" is a proper synonym.

You perhaps have heard the word "lofty" used to describe something that is physically very tall. This is the most obvious and standard meaning of the word; however, this idea of being "high up" can also apply to less material things. For instance, someone can have very "lofty goals" or very "lofty intentions." This means that he or she has chosen a very noble or praiseworthy set of goals or intentions. Such goals or intentions are "above" other goals and intentions in a metaphorical sense.

"Majority"means more than 50%, or the group with the most members in a given vote or debate. It is the opposite of "minority,"which therefore cannot be the correct answer. The right answer is "most," because "most" means more than half. Thus, majority and most are synonyms. While "majority"can sometimes be used as a noun, it can also be used as an adjective. ("The majority of the population" is an example of it being used as a noun, while "the majority vote" is an example of it being used as an adjective.)

One of the meanings of "suspend" is hang in the air, but none of the answer choices matches that definition, so we need to consider other definitions of "suspend." Another definition of "suspend" is to "delay" or wait. "Arrange" means organize; "fasten" means attach; "scheme" means plan; and "intrigue" means interest greatly.

Average means to be ordinary, not on the polar end of the spectrum. Something that is typical matches this description. Therefore, typical is the correct answer. A tempting wrong answer is mathematical. While averages are used in math, the two words are not synonyms.

"Majority"means more than 50%, or the group with the most members in a given vote or debate. It is the opposite of "minority,"which therefore cannot be the correct answer. The right answer is "most," because "most" means more than half. Thus, majority and most are synonyms. While "majority"can sometimes be used as a noun, it can also be used as an adjective. ("The majority of the population" is an example of it being used as a noun, while "the majority vote" is an example of it being used as an adjective.)

The word "position" has many meanings. The general idea involved in many of them is being in a given location. It can also be used in a physical sense as well as a metaphorical sense. Think about your position in one of your classes. This really means how well you have scored so far. We use the word "position" also to locate the "place" someone holds in a company for which they work. Thus, a nurse is one position among many others in a hospital. We might ask, "What position did you apply for?" Hence, the best option for this question is "occupation," meaning job. Do not be tricked by "region" and "landmass". Just because they are physical terms, they are not the same as "position."

The word "brilliant" has two main sets of meanings. The word originally comes from roots meaning to shine. Thus, we know of usages like, "The light brilliantly shone on the water." This means that it was shining brightly upon the water. Now, it has also been extended to mean intelligent, as when we say that someone is "bright." In this question, the only possible meaning is "dazzling." The other options may tempt you (especially "mathematical"). However, none of them express a possible meaning for "brilliant."

This question is trying to trick you into avoiding the sense of "light" that is implied by the answer choices. Yes, the word "light" has to do with physical light; however, this is not at all the same as being cloudy or, even, with "summer." (Indeed, many summer days could be quite dark and cloudy.) The word "light" can also mean "not heavy," and in this sense, it can also mean, "easy." This is the answer to this question.

Although we use the word "grasp" in a physical sense, it also has a metaphorical meaning that is related to this. When we "grasp an idea," we mean that we understand it. Another way of saying that you understand something is to say that you comprehend it. (This actually means that you really understand it.) Do not be fooled by options like "shove" and "force." These do not even match the basic, physical meaning of "grasp."

When someone is "stunned," he or she is unable to move. Therefore, you might be tempted to pick one of the trap options given to this question. Do not be fooled into thinking that "stun" has to do with hurting someone. Therefore, we need to look for another sense to the word. Well, when someone tells someone something surprising, he or she is said to stun the other person if the other person doesn't know how to react. (The person is indeed stopped and unable to move or think!) Thus, we can stun someone with amazing news. The verb "amaze" is a good synonym for this reason. When you "amaze" someone, that person is likely unable to respond at first because of his or her surprise.

We often use the word "intense" to describe something that is very strong. An intense fire is one that is really hot. Someone can have an "intense personality," meaning that he or she is very passionate. That is the sense of the word being used in the one correct option offered here. Do not be tempted by "angry" or even "attentive." These do not indicate the general sense of strength that is indicated by the term "intensity."

The word "stellar" comes from the Latin stella, meaning star. Thus, we can use "stellar" to describe things that pertain to space. Thus, "stellar readings" are observations about the stars. We also use the word informally to mean very excellent. We even see this kind of meaning when we say, "He was a music star," meaning that the person was very highly regarded for music skill. Thus, a good synonym for "stellar" is "outstanding."

The word "original" can have several meanings, though they are related. In one sense, we say that the "original running shoe" was the very first shoe of its kind. To be "original" is to be first—it is to be at the origin or beginning of something. When someone is "creative," he or she makes new things that others have never made before. That is why we can say that an original person is creative. An "original idea" is one that has never been thought of before; therefore, it is likely very creative. This is the only option that expresses some meaning directly related to "original."

Be careful on this question! The word "compact" can have two meanings that are pretty different. It can mean dense. Thus, a compact load of laundry is very densely packed. (The option "heavy" is a trick, trying to make you confuse being dense with being heavy.) The other meaning is "agreement." A "compact" is an agreement between two or more people. (Think of the Mayflower Compact that you have perhaps learned about in history class. This was an agreement among the settlers of the Plymouth colony.)

The word "central" can be used to mean in the middle. It can also mean very important. For example, we might say, "She was the central figure in the whole project." This doesn't mean that she merely was in the middle point of the group. She was the most important person involved. (The idea of being central in this sense does come from the general awareness of something being "in the middle" being important often. It is important to see that this involves some changes in meaning.)