Synonyms: Nouns for Nonliving Things

Help Questions

ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Nouns for Nonliving Things

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

ANTIBIOTIC

Medicine

Nurse

Virus

Doctor

Hospital

Explanation

An “antibiotic” is a substance that kills bacteria and so is used as medicine. The prefix "anti_-_" means against or negating something, and the suffix "-biotic" means having to do with life, in this case, bacteria. Along with “viruses,” “bacteria” are the primary agents by which disease is spread. However, it is worth nothing that there are a great many number of bacteria in our bodies that help us a great deal.

2

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

FABLE

Tale

Epic

Encyclopedia

Article

Anthology

Explanation

"Fable" is a noun that means "a short story, typically with animals as characters, conveying a moral." So, we need to pick out a noun that means "a short story." "Epic" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "epic," when used as a noun, is either a long poem derived from ancient oral tradition, which narrates the deeds of heroic or legendary figures, or it is a long narrative work that portrays heroic deeds and covers an extended period of time. So, because epics are specifically long works, "epic" cannot be the correct answer, because we're looking for a noun that means "a short story." "Tale" is a noun that means "a fictitious or true narrative or story, especially one that is imaginatively recounted," and because "tale" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "fable," "tale" is the correct answer.

3

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

DONATION

Gift

Reward

Capture

Theft

Dismissal

Explanation

A “donation” is something you give to someone or a group. A “reward” is something you get for doing something or doing something well; “capture,” when used as a noun, means the act of getting hold of, arresting, or catching someone or something; and "dismissal" means the act of sending someone away.

4

A synonym of "donation" is __________.

contribution

friendship

price

happiness

interpretation

Explanation

"Donation" is a noun that means "something that is given to a charity, especially a sum of money." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "something that is given to a charity." "Price," then, cannot be the correct answer, because while "price" can refer to a sum of money, it specifically means "the amount of money expected, required, or given in payment for something," not "something that is given to a charity." "Contribution," however, is a noun that means "a gift or payment to a common fund or collection," and because "contribution" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "donation," "contribution" is the correct answer.

5

Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.

Supper

Dinner

Lake

Castle

Library

Address

Explanation

"Supper" means dinner.

6

A synonym of "havoc" is __________.

devastation

tidiness

memory

complaint

measurement

Explanation

"Havoc" is a noun that means either "widespread destruction" or "great confusion or disorder." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "destruction" or "disorder." So, "tidiness" cannot be the correct answer, because "tidiness" means "the quality of being not messy, but neat and controlled," making "tidiness" an antonym, not a synonym, of "havoc." "Devastation," however, is a noun that means "great destruction or damage" or "severe and overwhelming shock or grief," and because "devastation" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "havoc," "devastation" is the correct answer.

7

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

SYMPHONY

Concert

Simpleness

Contortion

Fake

Explanation

The best choice is "concert" because a "symphony" is a type of concert. These words are synonyms. The other choices are unrelated, as "simpleness" means easiness or the quality of not being complex, "contortion" means the action of twisting something out of its normal shape,and "fake," when used as a noun, means something that is a false copy of something else.

8

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

TRINKET

Junk

Group of three

Ball

Small kite

Explanation

A "trinket" is something that is small and of little value. The best choice is "junk" as it also refers to things that are of little value or worthless.

9

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

MOISTURE

Wetness

Dryness

Drought

Dehydration

Explanation

The correct answer is "wetness." "Dryness," "drought," and "dehydration" are all examples of a lack of moisture. "Dryness" specifically means the opposite of "moisture."

10

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

EVIDENCE

Proof

Business

Expert

Politician

Athlete

Explanation

"Evidence" is proof or something that can prove or verify a statement, so "proof" is the correct answer. A "business" is a company or corporation that engages in some activity for profit. An "expert" is a person who is very good or knowledgable about a topic or activity. A "politician" is an elected official who works in the government. An "athlete" is a person who is very skilled at playing sports.

Page 1 of 6
Return to subject