ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms: Nouns for Nonliving Things

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #72 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "catastrophe" is __________.

Possible Answers:

understanding

tranquility

veracity

calamity

creation

Correct answer:

calamity

Explanation:

"Catastrophe" is a noun that means "an event causing great and often sudden damage or suffering; a disaster," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "disaster." "Tranquility" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "tranquility" means "the quality or state of being tranquil; calm," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "catastrophe." "Calamity," however, is a noun that means "an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster," and because "calamity" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "catastrophe," "calamity" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns For Nonliving Things

A synonym of "havoc" is __________.

Possible Answers:

devastation

complaint

measurement

memory

tidiness

Correct answer:

devastation

Explanation:

"Havoc" is a noun that means either "widespread destruction" or "great confusion or disorder." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "destruction" or "disorder." So, "tidiness" cannot be the correct answer, because "tidiness" means "the quality of being not messy, but neat and controlled," making "tidiness" an antonym, not a synonym, of "havoc." "Devastation," however, is a noun that means "great destruction or damage" or "severe and overwhelming shock or grief," and because "devastation" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "havoc," "devastation" is the correct answer.

Example Question #245 : Synonyms

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

THREAT

Possible Answers:

Calm

Safety

Hurry

Danger

Correct answer:

Danger

Explanation:

The correct answer is "danger," because both "threat" and "danger" mean something that can potentially harm someone. "Safety" is an opposite of "danger," and the other two words do not have to do with "threat."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns For Nonliving Things

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

FIASCO

Possible Answers:

Success

Boredom

Disaster

Numbness

Correct answer:

Disaster

Explanation:

"Fiasco" is another word for an event that fails in a disastrous way. You might call your birthday party a fiasco if it rains all day, everyone gets lost on the way to your house, and the ice cream melts—in other words, if everything goes wrong. So, "disaster" is the word that we're looking for here. "Success" implies that the event went well, and both "boredom" and "numbness" imply a lack of interest or feeling about the situation.

Example Question #81 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COLLISION

Possible Answers:

Homonym

Reign

Achievement

Route

Crash

Correct answer:

Crash

Explanation:

A "collision" is the event of one object hitting another, or a "crash." An "achievement" is an accomplishment or the completion of some task or goal. "Reign," when used as a noun, means the period when a person rules or governs. "Homonym" refers to a word that is pronounced in the same way as another word, but has a different meaning than that other word. A "route" is a path or road.

Example Question #81 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HARBINGER

Possible Answers:

Guard

Auxilliary

Omen

Chaos

Correct answer:

Omen

Explanation:

A "harbinger" is something or someone that is a sign of a future event. The best choice is "omen," which shares the same definition. Considering the other choices, "chaos" means a state of utter confusion, "auxiliary" means additional, and "guard" means a person that protects someone or something.

Example Question #81 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HARBINGER

Possible Answers:

Result

Omen

Adage

Commotion

Prayer

Correct answer:

Omen

Explanation:

A "harbinger" is something that foretells that something else is approaching. "Omen" is the best match because it means a warning about something that will happen in the future.

Example Question #82 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TRUCE

Possible Answers:

Agreement

Disapproval

Resentment

Opposition

Correct answer:

Agreement

Explanation:

A "truce" is an agreement reached after a conflict by each person or group involved in it not to continue fighting. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "truce": "resentment" means indignation or bitterness; "disapproval" means displeasure or criticism; and "opposition" means objection or resistance.

Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Nouns For Nonliving Things

Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.

Chapter

Possible Answers:

Section

Story

Church

Book

Priest

Correct answer:

Section

Explanation:

A "chapter" is a section of a book.

Example Question #82 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "donation" is __________.

Possible Answers:

contribution

friendship

happiness

interpretation

price

Correct answer:

contribution

Explanation:

"Donation" is a noun that means "something that is given to a charity, especially a sum of money." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "something that is given to a charity." "Price," then, cannot be the correct answer, because while "price" can refer to a sum of money, it specifically means "the amount of money expected, required, or given in payment for something," not "something that is given to a charity." "Contribution," however, is a noun that means "a gift or payment to a common fund or collection," and because "contribution" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "donation," "contribution" is the correct answer.

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