Synonyms

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ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms

Questions 21 - 30
21

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

FRACTURE

Break

Include

Bemoan

Describe

Represent

Explanation

The "fract-" part of "fracture" stems from the same roots as the words "fraction" (a portion of a whole) and "frangible" (breakable), so it makes sense that "fracture," when used as a verb, means break something hard. The word is often used to describe breaking a bone. "Break" is thus the answer choice closest in meaning to "fracture." As for the other answer choices, "include" means consider as part of a group; “bemoan” means complain about; “describe” means use words to share information about the characteristics of something or someone; “represent” means show using a visual or textual medium or stand in for.

22

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

DOMINANT

In charge

Under control

Lost at sea

Under pressure

Feeling sick

Explanation

"Dominant" means in control, in charge, on top.

23

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

FRACTURE

Break

Include

Bemoan

Describe

Represent

Explanation

The "fract-" part of "fracture" stems from the same roots as the words "fraction" (a portion of a whole) and "frangible" (breakable), so it makes sense that "fracture," when used as a verb, means break something hard. The word is often used to describe breaking a bone. "Break" is thus the answer choice closest in meaning to "fracture." As for the other answer choices, "include" means consider as part of a group; “bemoan” means complain about; “describe” means use words to share information about the characteristics of something or someone; “represent” means show using a visual or textual medium or stand in for.

24

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

COLLISION

Crash

Hint

Grasp

Assist

Amend

Explanation

The prefix "co-" means together, so it makes sense that a "collision" is a crash or impact. “Hint” means suggest something indirectly; “grasp” means grab onto; “assist” means help; “amend” means change, edit, or fix.

25

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ADAPT

Change

Differ

Contrast

Compare

Advance

Explanation

To "adapt" is to "change" as circumstances change. "Advance" is to move forward; "compare" is to look at similarities; and "contrast" is to look at differences.

26

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

GRATIFYING

Pleasing

Interesting

Forgiving

Amazing

Beautiful

Explanation

To understand this word, it is helpful to consider a word like "grateful." We are grateful for things that are pleasing to us. To be "grateful" is to be thankful for such pleasing things. The adjective "gratifying" means something akin to able to make someone grateful or thankful. Another way to put this is "pleasing," which is the best option among those provided here.

27

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

VACANT

Empty

Full

Meaningful

Insignificant

Quirky

Explanation

_"_Vacant” means empty or unoccupied, so "empty" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “meaningful” means important and significant; “insignificant” means not important; “quirky” means unconventional.

28

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

VERSATILE

Adaptable

Incapable

Incomprehensible

Portable

Viable

Explanation

The roots -vers- and -vert- mean turn. As in, "revert" which means turn back, return to a previous state. "Versatile" means adaptable, able to change to suit different environments or situations. It helps to think of it like this "versatile" = able to turn towards a different approach. Additionally, "viable" means workable, capable of being accomplished; "portable" means able to be moved, able to be carried; "incapable" means not capable, not able to do something; "incomprehensible" means not able to be understood. Based on these words what do you think the suffixes -able and -ible mean?

29

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

FREQUENT

Often

Jealous

Usually

Burrow

Modest

Explanation

"Frequent" means happening again and again with little time in between events. Anorther word for "frequent" is often, so "often" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, "jealous" means envious or wanting what someone else has, "usually" means under normal circumstances, a "burrow" is a hole in the ground that certain animals dig and live in, and to "burrow" means to dig a hole in the ground, and "modest" means not taking as much credit as one should for one's achievements or talent.

30

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

APPREHEND

Catch

Insist

Condemn

Punish

Explanation

The word "apprehend" comes from the Latin for to lay ahold of. When we "com-prehend" something, we understand it thoroughly—we grasp it thoroughly. The word "apprehend" is often used when we talk about capturing a criminal. The police "apprehend" a wrongdoer, meaning that they capture, seize, or catch him or her. Therefore, the best answer among those provided is "catch."

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