Eliminating Distractors

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ISEE Lower Level: Verbal Reasoning › Eliminating Distractors

Questions 1 - 10
1

PONDER

consider

speak

answer

ignore

Explanation

To 'ponder' means to think about something carefully. 'Consider' is the best synonym, as it also means to think carefully. 'Answer' is a response to a question, not the process of thinking. 'Ignore' is an antonym, meaning to not pay attention. 'Speak' means to talk, which is different from thinking.

2

ADVERSARY

advisor

opponent

judge

friend

Explanation

An 'adversary' is someone one competes against. 'Opponent' is the closest synonym. An 'advisor' is someone who gives advice. A 'friend' is an antonym, meaning an ally. A 'judge' is a neutral person in a conflict, not a participant.

3

COMPREHEND

listen

argue

understand

confuse

Explanation

To 'comprehend' means to grasp the meaning of something. 'Understand' is the best synonym. To 'argue' is to express a different opinion. To 'confuse' is an antonym, meaning to fail to understand. To 'listen' is an action one might take to comprehend something spoken, but it is not the act of understanding itself.

4

OBSTACLE

path

solution

barrier

advantage

Explanation

An 'obstacle' is something that blocks one's way or prevents progress. A 'barrier' is the closest synonym. An 'advantage' is an antonym, something that helps progress. A 'path' is what an obstacle might block. A 'solution' is what overcomes an obstacle.

5

FRUGAL

thrifty

generous

expensive

simple

Explanation

'Frugal' describes someone who is careful with money and avoids waste. 'Thrifty' is the best synonym. 'Expensive' describes the high cost of an item, not a person's habits. 'Generous' can be seen as an opposite trait, as it involves spending money on others. 'Simple' is a related idea but is not limited to money; a person can live a simple life without being frugal.

6

CUNNING

clumsy

sly

fast

honest

Explanation

'Cunning' means having skill in achieving one's goals by deceit or evasion. 'Sly' is the closest synonym. 'Clumsy' is an antonym in terms of skillfulness. 'Fast' describes speed, which is unrelated. 'Honest' is an antonym in terms of character.

7

ABANDON

desert

announce

assist

adopt

Explanation

To 'abandon' something is to leave it behind permanently. 'Desert' is the best synonym in this context. 'Adopt' is an antonym, meaning to take something as one's own. 'Announce' means to make a public statement. 'Assist' is an antonym, meaning to help.

8

CONCEAL

hide

reveal

decorate

find

Explanation

To 'conceal' something means to keep it from being seen. 'Hide' is a direct synonym. 'Decorate' means to make something look more attractive. 'Find' is what happens when something is no longer concealed. 'Reveal' is an antonym, meaning to make something known or seen.

9

EAGER

doubtful

bored

calm

keen

Explanation

'Eager' means strongly wanting to do or have something. 'Keen' also means very enthusiastic or eager. 'Bored' is an antonym. 'Calm' and 'doubtful' describe emotional states that are different from eagerness.

10

MUTTER

mumble

shout

listen

question

Explanation

To 'mutter' is to say something in a low or barely audible voice, especially in dissatisfaction. 'Mumble' is the closest synonym. 'Listen' is the act of hearing, not speaking. 'Question' is a type of sentence. 'Shout' is an antonym in terms of volume.

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