Synonyms: Nouns for Abstract Concepts

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ISEE Upper Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Nouns for Abstract Concepts

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

DISARRAY

Chaos

Fairness

Order

Harshness

Boor

Explanation

"Disarray" means chaos, not in order. When you here the phrase "in disarray" that means in a chaotic state, out of control. To provide further help, a "boor" is a rude, insensitive person.

2

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

PANEGYRIC

elegy

rant

probity

proclivity

odyssey

Explanation

"Panegyric" and "elegy" both mean praise or warm words. "Rant" means a tirade or yelling. "Probity" means fairness or honesty. "Proclivity" means an inclination or habit. "Odyssey" means a journey or excursion.

3

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

RECOURSE

Choice

Election

Recall

Condemnation

Forgotten

Explanation

Likely, you have heard the expression, “the only recourse,” as in, “A presidential pardon was the only recourse that the man had to lift the crime from his record.” The word generally means, “Means of alleviating a situation,” or even more generally, “Choice or option.” Thus, when one says, “He had recourse to the support of his family during his financial difficulties,” this means, “He had the option to go to his family for aid.”

4

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

FABRICATION

Falsehood

Candor

Quilt

Question

Misconception

Explanation

A “fabrication” is a falsehood or a"lie." As for the other answer choices, “candor” is frank honesty; a “misconception” is something false that is believed or something understood incorrectly; a "quilt" is a bed covering made of squares of fabric sewn together over batting; and a "question" is a query.

5

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

LASSITUDE

lethargy

diligence

vigor

largess

legerdemain

Explanation

"Lassitude" and "lethargy" both mean apathy or fatigue. "Diligence" means perseverance in carrying out an action. "Vigor" means power or energy. "Largess" means generosity. "Legerdemain" means sleight of hand.

6

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

SCHTICK

Staff

Stream

Act

Insult

Prologue

Explanation

A "schtick" (also spelled "shtick") is a routine or act done to gain a laugh or draw attention to oneself. The best choice here is "act," since it is a part of the definition of "schtick." Considering the other choices, "staff" means a group of people charged with carrying out the work of a particular establishment or a rod used to support one's weight when walking,"stream" means a flowing body of water or liquid, "insult" means a statement that offends, and "prologue" means a distinct introductory section in a literary work.

7

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

ENNUI

Boredom

Sorrow

Hope

Irritation

Friendship

Explanation

"Ennui" is a state of extreme or long-lasting boredom, a feeling of dissatisfaction arising from a complete lack of excitement or entertainment.

8

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

AMITY

Friendship

Depravity

Hatred

Rivalry

Peace

Explanation

“Amity” means friendly or loving relationship, so "friendship" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “depravity” means immorality or lewd behavior; and “rivalry” is intense competition with one group or person.

9

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

INDICATION

Evidence

Argument

Conclusion

Diagnosis

Prognosis

Explanation

An indication is a sign of something else. Thus, someone's fever can be an indication of illness. The only option that is synonymous in this manner is "evidence." For instance, it is basically the same thing to say, "The fever is an indication of illness," as it is to say, "The fever is evidence of illness."

10

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

HIATUS

interval

conjecture

sinecure

raconteur

canon

Explanation

"Hiatus" and "interval" both mean a pause or interruption. "Conjecture" means speculation or assumption. "Sinecure" means a pushover. "Raconteur" means a storyteller or bard. "Canon" means a rule or edict.

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