Synonyms

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ISEE Lower Level: Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

OUTPERFORM

Do better than

Do worse than

Overwhelm

Underwhelm

Intrinsic

Explanation

The prefix "out-"generally means surpassing or exceeding, so if you “outperform” someone, you perform better than they do. So, "do better than" is the correct answer. To provide further help, “overwhelm” means overpower emotionally and “underwhelm” means disappoint, and “intrinsic” means basic, natural, or inherent.

2

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

PARTAKE

Participate

Grant

Transfer

Convey

Explanation

If people "partake" of something such as cake at a birthday party, it means they consume it or share in it ; if they partake in some activity, they participate in it or take part in it; so, "participate" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "partake": "grant" means allow when used as a verb; "convey"means transport when referring to physical objects or people and suggest when referring to ideas; and "transfer" means convey from one location to another or convey from the ownership of one person or group to the ownership of another person or group.

3

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.

4

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

EXCELLENT

Superb

Perfect

Flawless

Surprising

Original

Explanation

It is important not to "overdo" the meaning of your word. When we say that something is "excellent," we mean to say that it is very good. This does not, however, mean that it is perfect. Therefore, you should not choose "perfect" or "flawless." Something that is "superb" is something excellent. You should know this word from the clearly related word "super." They are quite similar in meaning.

5

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

ENLIGHTENING

Informative

Scholarly

Lunar

Polar

Grammatical

Explanation

The word "enlightening" comes from the word light, but it is used in a metaphorical sense. It means making something understandable. Think of when we say, "That was an enlightening explanation."It is like the explanation "shines" and makes its topic obvious. The best option for this is "informative," for informative things or actions help to explain something else.

6

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

AUTHENTIC

Genuine

Fraudulent

Flagrant

Striated

Explanation

If an object is "authentic," it actually is what it is supposed to be as opposed to fake. For example, if a dinosaur bone found at a dig site is found to be authentic, then it truly is a dinosaur bone and not a hoax. "Fraudulent" is clearly wrong, since it is synonymous with "fake" and therefore an antonym. "Striated" means striped and "flagrant" means conspicuous or bold, especially when referring to an offense; these words are also improper choices. Our final answer, the correct one, is "genuine," which means real or authentic.

7

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

DUBIOUS

Doubtful

Double

Wrong

Hasty

Explanation

The word "dubious" means doubtful or untrustworthy. The best choice is "doubtful" because it is part of the definition of "dubious_._"Considering the other choices, "double" means two of something, "wrong" means not correct, and "hasty" means quick.

8

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

ACCURATE

Precise

General

Uncertain

Incorrect

Explanation

The correct answer is "precise." "Precise" and "accurate" are synonyms because both mean exact. The other words do not mean "accurate."

9

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

PRECISE

Exact

Immature

Careless

Incomplete

Serious

Explanation

The adjective "precise" refers to an extremely accurate or specific measurement or assessment. "Exact," which also refers to an accurate or correct quantity, is our answer. "Careless" is clearly incorrect, since it describes something that is sloppy and unlikely to be perfectly measured. You might use the word "immature" to describe a person who acts unusually young and inexperienced; neither this term nor "incomplete" (unfinished) is related to the given word.

10

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

ARID

Dry

Wet

Cold

Hot

Snow

Explanation

If somewhere is “arid” that means it is very dry and does not get very much rain. So the desert is very “arid.”

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