ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Nouns for People
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BENEFACTOR
Supporter
Narrator
Detractor
Antagonist
Protagonist
A “benefactor” is someone who supports a cause and contributes money to it. To provide further help, a “detractor” criticizes or takes away from a cause; a “narrator” is a storyteller; the “protagonist” is the hero of a story and the “antagonist” is the villain of the story.
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
VISIONARY
Creative thinker
Damaged goods
Uncontrollable desire
Portent
Potent
A “visionary” is someone who has the vision to see creative solutions to problems, a creative thinker. To provide further help, “uncontrollable” means not able to be controlled; “potent” means powerful; a “portent” is an omen.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
RASCAL
Scoundrel
Contributor
Rakish
Politician
Principle
A “rascal” is someone prone to bad behavior, a scoundrel. To provide further help, a “contributor” is someone who helps something get done; a “politician” is someone tasked with making laws and governing; a “principle” is a guiding standard of belief or morals; “rakish” means charming and dashing.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INTRUDER
Invader
Burglar
Robber
Criminal
Legality
The word "intrude" literally means to push oneself into. Thus, you could "intrude on a conversation" by jumping into the conversation even if you aren't actually welcome. Often, we speak of an "intruder" as someone who breaks into a house. Now, such a person is almost certainly a criminal; however, the word "intruder" most directly means someone who goes into a place without being invited or permitted in. Therefore, the best option is "invader." When someone invades an area, he or she enters it without being welcomed. This is the best meaning among the options given.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
NOVICE
Beginner
Expert
Librarian
Representative
Respondent
"Novice" derives from the Latin "novus," which means new, so it makes sense that a "novice" is someone who is new at something, or a"beginner." As for the other answer choices, an “expert” is someone who knows a lot about something and has a lot of experience; a “respondent” is someone who responds to or answers something; and a “representative” is someone who is chosen by the people who carry out their wishes, and a "librarian" is a person who works at and helps run a library.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
NEMESIS
Enemy
Ally
Protagonist
Antagonist
Accomplice
Your “nemesis” is your enemy, so "enemy" is the correct answer. To provide further help, an “ally” is someone who is on your side or a friend, an “accomplice” is someone who works with you, usually on a risky or nefarious mission, “protagonist” means hero, and “antagonist” means villain. “Nemesis” is an antonym of “ally” and “accomplice.” Likewise, “protagonist” is an antonym of “antagonist.”
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
NEMESIS
Rival
Acquaintance
Relative
Namesake
A "nemesis" is an opponent or rival, a person or group with which you are especially competitive. For example, pretend that your school football team often plays against another team. You and your friends get excited for those games, especially hate when your team loses, and might even talk about the opposing team members as enemies. The opposing team would be your nemesis. Of the other choices, an "acquaintance" is someone that you know, a "relative" is a family member or someone to whom you are related, and a "namesake" is a thing that shares its name with something else, or is directly named after it.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GUARDIAN
Protector
Attacker
Student
Teacher
Daughter
A "guardian" is another name for someone who looks after someone else or a protector. To help you, a "student" is someone who goes to school.
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
FELON
Criminal
Teacher
Partner
Politician
Miser
A felon is someone who has committed a crime. To further help you, a politician is someone who is involved in government; a miser is someone who hates spending money and tries to save as much as possible.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PARTNER
Coworker
Slave
Relative
Element
Section
A "partner" is someone who works with another person. Often, we use the word to describe someone's husband or wife, but it can also be used to describe someone's coworker. Think of when we talk about "business partners." This describes the relationship between people who work together in the same company, likely both owning some share of the company. A partner is anyone that we choose to share an activity with.