Synonyms: Nouns for People

Help Questions

ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Nouns for People

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

BENEFACTOR

Supporter

Narrator

Detractor

Antagonist

Protagonist

Explanation

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.

2

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

VISIONARY

Creative thinker

Damaged goods

Uncontrollable desire

Portent

Potent

Explanation

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.

3

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

RASCAL

Scoundrel

Contributor

Rakish

Politician

Principle

Explanation

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.

4

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

INTRUDER

Invader

Burglar

Robber

Criminal

Legality

Explanation

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.

5

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

NOVICE

Beginner

Expert

Librarian

Representative

Respondent

Explanation

"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.

6

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

NEMESIS

Enemy

Ally

Protagonist

Antagonist

Accomplice

Explanation

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.”

7

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

NEMESIS

Rival

Acquaintance

Relative

Namesake

Explanation

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.

8

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

GUARDIAN

Protector

Attacker

Student

Teacher

Daughter

Explanation

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.

9

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

FELON

Criminal

Teacher

Partner

Politician

Miser

Explanation

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.

10

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

PARTNER

Coworker

Slave

Relative

Element

Section

Explanation

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.

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