A scheme is a large-scale systematic plan, but it carries a strong negative connotation of being secret, clever, and often dishonest. A plot is a secret plan made by a group of people to do something illegal or harmful, which closely matches the negative connotation of scheme. (A) A design is a plan or drawing produced to show the look and function of something before it is built, which is a neutral term. (B) A guess is an estimate or conclusion without sufficient information. (D) A strategy is a plan of action designed to achieve a major or overall aim, which usually has a neutral or positive connotation.

To stroll is to walk in a leisurely way. It has a positive and relaxed connotation. To saunter means to walk in a slow, relaxed manner, without hurry or effort, which is very similar in meaning and positive feeling. (A) To hike is to walk for a long distance, especially across country, which is more strenuous. (B) To march is to walk in a military manner with a regular measured tread. (D) To trudge is to walk slowly and with heavy steps, typically because of exhaustion or difficult conditions, which has a negative connotation.

A throng is a large, densely packed crowd of people or animals. The word implies a great number of individuals crowded together. A multitude is a large number of people or things, which captures the scale of a throng. (A) An assembly is a group of people gathered together in one place for a common purpose, which is often more organized than a throng. (B) A gang is a group of people, but it usually has a negative connotation of criminal activity. (C) A gathering is a group of people, but it usually implies a smaller, less dense group than a throng.

A chuckle is a quiet and suppressed laugh, often of amusement or satisfaction. A giggle is a light, silly laugh, which is the closest in volume and lightheartedness to a chuckle. (B) A guffaw is a loud, hearty, and boisterous laugh. (C) To howl with laughter means to laugh very loudly. (D) A snort is an explosive sound made by forcing breath through the nose; it can express contempt or laughter but is not a synonym for the laugh itself.

This question tests lower ISEE verbal reasoning skills: specifically, the ability to choose synonyms based on connotation. Understanding connotation involves recognizing the emotional tone or mood that a word conveys beyond its literal meaning. For example, 'tiptoed' suggests quiet, careful movement, while 'stomped' implies loud, heavy steps. In the passage, the word crept is used in a context that requires maintaining a secretive, quiet mood, as indicated by 'to surprise her friend, staying quiet.' Choice D (tiptoed) is correct because it aligns with the passage's intended tone of stealthy, quiet movement perfect for surprising someone. Choice A (stomped) is incorrect because it presents a common misconception where students focus on movement but ignore the loudness that would ruin a surprise. Teaching strategies include acting out different walking styles to demonstrate connotation and encouraging students to identify context clues like 'staying quiet' that indicate the needed tone.

This question tests lower ISEE verbal reasoning skills: specifically, the ability to choose synonyms based on connotation. Understanding connotation involves recognizing the emotional tone or mood that a word conveys beyond its literal meaning. For example, 'gloomy' suggests darkness and sadness, while 'cheerful' implies happiness. In the passage, the word gloomy is used in a context that requires maintaining a somber mood, as indicated by the detail 'after the lights go out.' Choice D (dark) is correct because it aligns with the passage's intended tone of dimness and low spirits. Choice C (cheerful) is incorrect because it presents a common misconception where students choose an opposite word or fail to recognize the negative connotation needed. Teaching strategies include practicing with mood words to identify emotional tones and encouraging students to visualize the scene described. Watch for: students selecting words that sound similar but have opposite connotations.

This question tests lower ISEE verbal reasoning skills: specifically, the ability to choose synonyms based on connotation. Understanding connotation involves recognizing the emotional tone or mood that a word conveys beyond its literal meaning. For example, 'cruel' suggests intentional meanness, while 'kind' implies gentleness. In the passage, the word harsh is used in a context that requires maintaining a negative, hurtful mood, as indicated by 'players look hurt and quiet.' Choice D (cruel) is correct because it aligns with the passage's intended tone of feedback that causes emotional pain. Choice A (kind) is incorrect because it presents a common misconception where students choose opposite meanings or fail to recognize the negative impact described in the context. Teaching strategies include discussing how different types of feedback affect people emotionally and encouraging students to use reaction clues like 'hurt and quiet' to determine connotation.

This question tests lower ISEE verbal reasoning skills: specifically, the ability to choose synonyms based on connotation. Understanding connotation involves recognizing the emotional tone or mood that a word conveys beyond its literal meaning. For example, 'slipped' suggests quiet, secretive movement, while 'marched' implies bold, obvious movement. In the passage, the word snuck is used in a context that requires maintaining a stealthy mood, as indicated by 'past guards to avoid being seen.' Choice A (slipped) is correct because it aligns with the passage's intended tone of secretive movement to avoid detection. Choice B (marched) is incorrect because it presents a common misconception where students focus on movement but ignore that marching is loud and obvious, contradicting the need to avoid guards. Teaching strategies include discussing spy or detective vocabulary and encouraging students to consider the purpose of the action (avoiding detection) when selecting synonyms.

The word gloat means to dwell on one's own success or another's misfortune with smugness or malicious pleasure. It has a very negative connotation. Crow means to express triumph in a boastful, loud way, sharing the negative, unsportsmanlike connotation of gloat. (A) Brag is similar, but it focuses more on talking about one's own achievements, whereas gloat is often about someone else's failure. (C) Rejoice means to feel or show great joy, which has a positive connotation. (D) Watch means to look at something, which is related to the context of gloating (watching someone lose) but is not a synonym.

Scrawl means to write in a hurried, careless way, making it difficult to read. It has a negative connotation of messiness. Scribble also means to write or draw something carelessly or hurriedly, sharing the same meaning and connotation. (A) Carve means to cut a hard material to produce an object or design. (B) Print usually refers to writing neatly in block letters, the opposite of scrawl. (D) Sketch means to make a rough drawing, which applies to drawing, not writing.