Eliminating Distractors
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ISEE Lower Level: Verbal Reasoning › Eliminating Distractors
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.