ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning Quiz: Synonym Selection

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Synonym Selection, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

Question 1

1. keep
2. polish
3. surrender (correct answer)
4. weaken

Explanation: The word RELINQUISH means to voluntarily give up something. The word 'surrender' also means to give up or hand over something to another. Therefore, 'surrender' is the closest synonym. 'Keep' is an antonym. 'Polish' is a word with a different meaning. 'Weaken' might be a result of relinquishing something, but it is not a synonym.

Question 2

1. fragile
2. generous
3. thrifty (correct answer)
4. wealthy

Explanation: The word FRUGAL means being careful and economical with money or resources. The word 'thrifty' has the same meaning. Therefore, 'thrifty' is the correct synonym. 'Fragile' sounds similar but means easily broken. 'Generous' is an antonym. Being 'wealthy' might result from being frugal, but the words do not mean the same thing.

Question 3

1. benefit
2. danger (correct answer)
3. pearl
4. safety

Explanation: The word PERIL means serious and immediate danger. The word 'danger' has the same meaning. Therefore, 'danger' is the correct synonym. 'Safety' is an antonym. 'Pearl' is a word that sounds similar but has a different meaning. 'Benefit' means an advantage, which is unrelated.

Question 4

1. annoy (correct answer)
2. calm
3. fix
4. help

Explanation: The word VEX means to make someone feel annoyed or frustrated. The word 'annoy' has the same meaning. Therefore, 'annoy' is the correct synonym. 'Calm' and 'help' are antonyms. 'Fix' is an unrelated action.

Question 5

1. agile (correct answer)
2. clumsy
3. simple
4. strong

Explanation: The word NIMBLE means quick and light in movement or action. The word 'agile' has the same meaning. Therefore, 'agile' is the correct synonym. 'Clumsy' is an antonym. A person can be 'strong' without being nimble, and 'simple' is an unrelated quality.

Question 6

1. measure
2. plunge (correct answer)
3. rise
4. slide

Explanation: The word PLUMMET means to fall or drop straight down at a high speed. The word 'plunge' has the same meaning. Therefore, 'plunge' is the correct synonym. 'Rise' is an antonym. To 'slide' is to move downward, but not necessarily straight down or at high speed. A plummet is a tool used to 'measure' depth, but this is a different meaning of the word.

Question 7

1. ancient
2. elaborate (correct answer)
3. plain
4. strong

Explanation: The word ORNATE means highly decorated, often with complex patterns. The word 'elaborate' means detailed and complicated in design. Therefore, 'elaborate' is the closest synonym. 'Plain' is an antonym. An ornate object might be 'ancient' or 'strong', but these words describe different qualities.

Question 8

1. hidden
2. noticeable (correct answer)
3. permanent
4. shy

Explanation: The word PROMINENT means easily seen or standing out. The word 'noticeable' has the same meaning. Therefore, 'noticeable' is the correct synonym. 'Hidden' is an antonym. 'Permanent' sounds similar but means lasting forever. 'Shy' is an antonym for a person who is prominent or well-known.

Question 9

1. elevate
2. increase
3. relieve (correct answer)
4. solve

Explanation: The word ALLEVIATE means to make a problem or suffering less severe. The word 'relieve' has the same meaning. Therefore, 'relieve' is the correct synonym. 'Increase' is an antonym. 'Elevate' sounds similar but means to raise up. To 'solve' a problem is to end it completely, while alleviating it just makes it better.

Question 10

1. begin
2. cruel
3. harmless (correct answer)
4. powerful

Explanation: The word BENIGN means gentle, kindly, or not harmful. The word 'harmless' is the closest synonym. 'Cruel' is an antonym. 'Begin' sounds similar but has a different meaning. Something can be 'powerful' and also benign, but the words are not synonyms.

Question 11

1. energy
2. hunger
3. strength
4. weariness (correct answer)

Explanation: The word FATIGUE means extreme tiredness. The word 'weariness' also means extreme tiredness. Therefore, 'weariness' is the correct synonym. 'Energy' and 'strength' are antonyms. 'Hunger' is another physical feeling but is different from fatigue.

Question 12

1. allow
2. compete
3. force (correct answer)
4. persuade

Explanation: The word COMPEL means to force or oblige someone to do something. The word 'force' is the closest synonym. 'Allow' is an antonym. 'Compete' sounds similar but has a different meaning. To 'persuade' someone is to convince them, which is not as strong as compelling them.

Question 13

1. afraid
2. dry (correct answer)
3. interesting
4. wet

Explanation: The word ARID means having very little rain, making it too dry to support plants. The word 'dry' is the closest synonym. 'Wet' is an antonym. 'Afraid' sounds similar but has a different meaning. 'Interesting' is unrelated to the primary meaning of arid.

Question 14

1. chaotic
2. loud
3. peaceful (correct answer)
4. temporary

Explanation: The word TRANQUIL means free from disturbance; calm. The word 'peaceful' has the same meaning. Therefore, 'peaceful' is the correct synonym. 'Chaotic' and 'loud' are antonyms. 'Temporary' describes how long something lasts and is unrelated to its calmness.

Question 15

1. abundant
2. average
3. mighty
4. scant (correct answer)

Explanation: The word MEAGER means lacking in quantity or quality. The word 'scant' also means a very small or insufficient amount. Therefore, 'scant' is the closest synonym. 'Abundant' and 'mighty' are antonyms, meaning plentiful or powerful. 'Average' means a normal or typical amount, not a small one.

Question 16

1. assist
2. follow
3. notice
4. obstruct (correct answer)

Explanation: The word HINDER means to create difficulties for someone or something, resulting in a delay. The word 'obstruct' means to block or get in the way of something. Therefore, 'obstruct' is the closest synonym. 'Assist' is an antonym, meaning to help. 'Follow' and 'notice' are unrelated actions.

Question 17

1. gloomy
2. merry (correct answer)
3. quiet
4. serious

Explanation: The word JOVIAL means cheerful and friendly. The word 'merry' also means cheerful and lively. Therefore, 'merry' is the closest synonym. 'Gloomy' and 'serious' are antonyms. 'Quiet' describes a personality trait that is different from being cheerful.

Question 18

1. glance
2. hawk
3. stare (correct answer)
4. whisper

Explanation: The word GAWK means to stare openly and foolishly. The word 'stare' is the closest synonym. 'Glance' means to look quickly, which is the opposite of gawking. 'Whisper' is an unrelated action. A 'hawk' is a bird known for its sharp vision, which creates a conceptual link, but it is not a synonym for the verb 'gawk'.

Question 19

1. fast
2. immense (correct answer)
3. limited
4. visible

Explanation: The word VAST means of a very great size or extent. The word 'immense' also means extremely large or great. Therefore, 'immense' is the correct synonym. 'Limited' is an antonym. 'Fast' sounds similar but has a different meaning. Something that is vast might be 'visible', but the words are not synonyms.

Question 20

1. hardworking (correct answer)
2. intelligent
3. lazy
4. speedy

Explanation: The word DILIGENT means showing care and thoroughness in one's work. The word 'hardworking' is the closest synonym. 'Lazy' is an antonym. A person can be 'intelligent' without being diligent, and a person can be diligent without being 'speedy'.