ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms: Nouns for Abstract Concepts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Lower Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #82 : Synonyms: Nouns

Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

SQUALOR:

Possible Answers:

misery

cleanliness

variability

impairment

lethargy

Correct answer:

misery

Explanation:

If someone is living in squalor, they are living in misery and unpleasantness; this is often due to a lack of financial resources.

Example Question #301 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

A synonym of "alias" is __________.

Possible Answers:

nominal

middle name

almost

fake name

real name

Correct answer:

fake name

Explanation:

"Alias," when used as a noun, means "a false or assumed identity." The word can also be used as an adverb "used to indicate that a named person is also known or more familiar under another specified name." (The adverb functions in the same way as the phrase "also know as," but is specifically used to discuss real and assumed names.) So, we need to pick out an answer choice that has to do with names, specifically, with fake or assumed names. Since "fake name" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "alias," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

MAGNITUDE:

Possible Answers:

essence

personality

worth

size

unimportance

Correct answer:

size

Explanation:

The magnitude of an object or person refers to their size and often suggests vastness.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

A synonym of "perseverance" is __________.

Possible Answers:

fear

bravery

ignorance

persistence

nobility

Correct answer:

persistence

Explanation:

"Perseverance" is a noun that means "steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success." While "bravery" might look like a potentially correct answer, because someone who is brave might also demonstrate perseverance, "bravery" does not mean "perseverance," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Persistence," however, is a noun that means either "firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition" or "the continued or prolonged existence of something." Because "persistence" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "perseverance," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

PANDEMONIUM:

Possible Answers:

mirth

vivacity

chaos

appreciation

intensity

Correct answer:

chaos

Explanation:

If there is pandemonium, it means there is a high level of commotion or chaos.

Example Question #82 : Synonyms: Nouns

A synonym of "allegiance" is __________.

Possible Answers:

dismissal

rebellion

demonstration

loyalty

purpose

Correct answer:

loyalty

Explanation:

"Allegiance" is a noun that means "loyalty or commitment of a subordinate to a superior or of an individual to a group or cause." That means that "rebellion" can't be the correct answer, because "rebellion" means "an act of violent or open resistance to an established government or ruler" or "the action or process of resisting authority, control, or convention," so "rebellion" is an antonym of "allegiance." "Loyalty," however, is a noun that means "the quality of being loyal to someone or something," so "loyalty" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "allegiance."

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

A synonym of "agony" is __________.

Possible Answers:

torment

excitement

comfort

persecution

fury

Correct answer:

torment

Explanation:

"Agony" is a noun that means "extreme mental or physical pain." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "extreme pain." That means that "comfort" can't be the correct answer, because "comfort" means "a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint" or "consolation for grief or anxiety." So, "comfort" is an antonym of "agony." "Torment," however, is a word that when used as a noun means "severe physical or mental suffering" or "a cause of such suffering," so "torment" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "torment."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

A synonym of "clarity" is __________.

Possible Answers:

simplicity

transparency

obscurity

lightness

complexity

Correct answer:

transparency

Explanation:

"Clarity" is a noun that can mean "the quality of being clear, in particular," "the quality of coherence and intelligibility," " the quality of being easy to see or hear; sharpness of image or sound," "the quality of being certain or definite," or "the quality of transparency or purity." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "clearness." That means that "obscurity" can't be the correct answer, because "obscurity" can mean "the quality of being difficult to understand," so "obscurity" is an antonym of "clarity." "Transparency," however, is an adjective that means "the quality of being able to see through something" or "the quality of being readily understood," so "transparency" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "clarity."

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

A synonym of "prejudice" is __________.

Possible Answers:

preconception

friendship

spoils

fact

prudence

Correct answer:

preconception

Explanation:

"Prejudice" is a word that when used as a noun defined as "preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience" or "dislike, hostility, or unjust behavior formed on such a basis." So, neither "fact" nor "friendship" can be the correct answer, because they are each an antonym of "prejudice." "Preconception," however, is a noun that means "a preconceived idea or prejudice," and because "preconception" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "prejudice," "preconception" is the correct answer.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

A synonym of "travesty" is . . .

Possible Answers:

greatness

praise

opinion

mockery

metal

Correct answer:

mockery

Explanation:

"Travesty" is a word that when used as a noun, means "a false, absurd, or distorted representation of something," and when used as a verb, means "to represent something in such a way." So, "praise" cannot be the correct answer because to "praise" something is to say good things about it, while to "travesty" it is "to produce a false, absurd, or distorted representation of something." "Mockery," however, is a noun that means either "derision; ridicule," or "an absurd misrepresentation or imitation of something." Because "mockery" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "travesty," "mockery" is the correct answer.

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