Identifying Synonyms

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ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning › Identifying Synonyms

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

LOQUACIOUS

Talkative

Quiet

Sullen

Redundant

Exceptional

Explanation

The word "loquacious" can be used to describe someone who talks a lot. If you pay attention to the words that are not the correct answer, none adequately describes a loquacious person. Both "quiet" and "sullen" refer to someone who experiences a moment of silence and even sadness, and are thus antonyms to "loquacious;" "redundant" refers to something that is repetitive, and "exceptional" to something that is above average. The process of elmination should have helped you to answer this question.

2

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

SULLEN

Gloomy

Angry

Bashful

Hopeful

Reserved

Explanation

If something is sullen, it means it is gloomy. For instance, teenagers are quite sullen and moody to the dismay of their parents.

3

A synonym of "robust" is __________.

burly

viscous

clear

weak

lithe

Explanation

"Robust" is an adjective that means "physically strong; muscular." So, "weak" cannot be the correct answer because "weak" is an antonym of "robust," and while "lithe" may look potentially correct, "lithe" means "thin, supple, and graceful," and is often used to describe a person's body. The closest synonym to "robust" amongst the possible answer choices is "burly," an adjective that means "large and strong; heavily built" and is used to describe people. So, "burly" is the correct answer.

4

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

WEARINESS

Exhaustion

Hearsay

Wealth

Poverty

Frankness

Explanation

To be "weary" means to be tired, so "weariness" is tiredness or exhaustion. To provide further help, "frankness" is honesty, often brutal honesty; "poverty" is the state of being very poor, the opposite of "wealth"; "hearsay" is gossip, unreliable information passed along within a group of people.

5

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

GULLIBLE

Exploitable

Credible

Idiotic

Foolish

Amusing

Explanation

Whenever someone is "gullible," he or she will believe just about anything whatsoever. You can easily "use" or exploit a person who is like this. That is, a gullible person can be tricked for you to gain an advantage over him or her (if you wanted to, at least). A more standard synonym for "gullible" is "naive," though this is not an option among those provided.

6

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

DEMONSTRATIVE

Open

Evil

Layered

Illegal

Explanation

The word "demonstrative" means serving the purpose of showing and explaining. The best choice is "show" as it is a part of the definition of "demonstrative."

7

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

NOMAD

Wanderer

Educator

Artist

Sailor

Moderator

Explanation

A “nomad” is a person who does not have a permanent home and who wanders from place to place, so "wanderer" is the best answer choice. As for the other answer choices, an “educator” is someone who educates ora teacher, and a "moderator" is someone who acts as a third party in an argument or debate to help each side express itself.

8

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

IMPERATIVE

Essential

Optional

Unexpected

Abrupt

Somber

Explanation

Something that is "imperative" is crucial or essential, so "essential" is the correct answer choice. As for the other answer choices, "somber" means _sad and serious; "_abrupt" means sudden ; and "optional" means not necessary.

9

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

GULLIBLE

Exploitable

Credible

Idiotic

Foolish

Amusing

Explanation

Whenever someone is "gullible," he or she will believe just about anything whatsoever. You can easily "use" or exploit a person who is like this. That is, a gullible person can be tricked for you to gain an advantage over him or her (if you wanted to, at least). A more standard synonym for "gullible" is "naive," though this is not an option among those provided.

10

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

AMICABLE

Friendly

Selfish

Selfless

Aimless

Fortified

Explanation

"Amicable” means friendly and good-natured, so "friendly" is the best answer choice. As for the other answer choices, “selfish” means thinking of only oneself instead of others; “selfless” means generous, caring about others more than yourself; “aimless” means without purpose or pointless; and “fortified” means strengthened, reinforced, or protected.

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