Synonyms: Adverbs

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ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Adverbs

Questions 1 - 1
1

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

SILENTLY

Inaudibly

Shyly

Remarkably

Commonly

Reservedly

Explanation

Probably the most tempting wrong answers for this question are "reservedly" and "timidly." When someone is "reserved," he or she is quiet or at least does not put him or herself forward to express things. Likewise, a "timid" person is fearful and thus often quite shy. Such a person is likely quiet. The best option for a synonym here is "inaudibly." When something is "audible," it is able to be heard. (Audio, for example, is something that you listen to. The root words for the two words are the same.) The "in-" prefix is called a "privative" prefix. It means not. Therefore something that is in-audible is not audible—silent!

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