Synonyms: Determining Part of Speech - ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning

Because all of the potential answer choices are nouns, we will be looking for a word that is synonymous with "moral" when "moral" is used as a noun, and means "a lesson, especially one concerning what is right or prudent, that can be derived from a story, a piece of information, or an experience." While a fable usually includes a moral, "fable" does not mean the same thing that "moral" does, so "fable" cannot be the correct answer. "Message," however, when used as a noun, can mean "a significant point or central theme, especially one that has political, social, or moral importance." Because "message" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "moral," "message" is the correct answer.

"Jumble" is a word that when used as a noun means "an untidy collection or pile of things," and when used as a verb means "mix up in a confused or untidy way." "Muddle" means "bring into a disordered or confusing state" when used as a verb, and either "an untidy and disorganized state or collection" or "a mistake arising from or resulting in confusion" when used as a noun. So, "muddle" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "jumble."

Abroad most closely means overseas. If someone travels or studies abroad, it means they go overseas to another country.

If someone has a hunch, it means they have an idea or feeling about a situation or something in particular.

"Rot" is a verb that means "decay or cause to decay by the action of bacteria and fungi; decompose." While something that is rotting might gross someone out, "gross out" does not mean the same thing as "rot," so it cannot be the correct answer. Because "decay" is the closest synonym to "rot" amongst the listed answer choices, "decay" is the correct answer.

"Wince" is a word that when used as a verb, means "give a slight involuntary grimace or withdrawing movement of the body in anticipation of pain or distress." "Flinch," a word that when used as a verb means "make a quick, nervous movement of the face or body as an instinctive reaction to surprise, fear or pain," is the answer choice closest in meaning to "wince," so "flinch" is the correct answer.

"Hoax" is a word that when used as a noun means "a humorous or malicious deception," and as a verb, "deceive with a hoax." So, "truth" cannot be the correct answer because "truth" is an antonym of "hoax." "Ruse," however, is a noun that means "an action intended to deceive someone; a trick." Because "ruse" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "hoax," "ruse" is the correct answer.

"Luster," when used as a noun, means "a gentle sheen or soft glow, especially that of a partly reflective surface," so we need to pick out an answer choice that is a noun and means something like "a gentle sheen." "Dullness" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "dullness" is an antonym of "sheen." "Shine," however, when used as a noun, means "a quality of brightness, especially from reflected light," and because "shine" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "luster," "shine" is the correct answer.

"Grasp" is a word that when used as a verb, means either "seize and hold firmly," "get mental hold of; comprehend fully," or "act decisively to the advantage of." As a noun, "grasp" means either "a firm hold or grip," "a person's power or capacity to attain something," "a person's understanding." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that is either a verb meaning "hold firmly," "comprehend fully," or "act decisively," or a noun that means "a firm hold" or "a person's understanding." So, neither "loose" nor "toss" can be the correct answer, because each of those answer choices is an antonym of "hold firmly." "Grip," however, when used as a verb, means "take and keep a firm hold of; grasp tightly," and because "grip" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "grasp," "grip" is the correct answer.

"Ditch" is a word that when used as a noun, means "a narrow channel dug in the ground, typically used for drainage alongside a road or the edge of a field." When used as a verb, "ditch" can mean "provide with ditches," or, informally, "get rid of; give up." Because all of the answer choices are verbs, we will need to consider "ditch" as a verb pick out an answer choice that means something like "provide with ditches" or "get rid of." "Follow," then, cannot be the correct answer, because if one is following someone, they are not abandoning them. "Desert," however, is a word that when used as a verb means "abandon (a person, cause, or organization) in a way considered disloyal or treacherous," and because "desert" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "ditch," "desert" is the correct answer.

All of the answer choices can be used as verbs, so we need to consider "gorge" as a verb. When used as a verb, "gorge" means "eat a large amount greedily; fill oneself with food," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "eat a lot." "Starve," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "starve" means "of a person or animal: suffer severely or die from hunger," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "gorge." "Devour," a verb that means "eat (food or prey) hungrily or quickly," is the answer choice closest in meaning to "gorge," so "devour" is the correct answer.

"Pledge" is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the answer choices can be used as nouns, we will need to consider "pledge" as a noun. As a noun, "pledge" means "a solemn promise or undertaking," so we will need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "a solemn promise." "Treason," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "treason" means either "the crime of betraying one's country, especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government" or "the action of betraying someone or something," both meanings of which are far from meaning "a solemn promise." "Assurance," however, is a noun that means " a positive declaration intended to give confidence; a promise," and because "assurance" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "pledge," "assurance" is the correct answer.

The word "vow" means to promise. "Promise" is the best answer choice because it is a part of the definition of "vow." Considering the other choices, "bow" means bend or curve forward, "say" means speak, and "balk" means stop short and refuse to go on.

"Acclaim," when used as a verb or as a noun, means praise. "Praise" is the best choice as it is a part of the definition of "acclaim." The remaining choices are unrelated to the word "acclaim."

The word "summit" means the highest point of something. The best answer choice is "top" because it is the most similar in meaning to "summit." Considering the other choices, the word "summit" is often used to refer to the top of a mountain, but "summit" does not mean the same thing as "mountain." "Sky" and "summary" are unrelated in meaning to "summit."

The word "transport" means carry an object or a person from one location to another. The word "bear," when used as a verb, means carry as well. "Bear" is the best choice because it shares the same definition as "transport." When none of the answer choices seem obviously correct to you, remember to consider their secondary definitions.

The word "chuckle," when used as a verb, means to laugh. "Laugh" is the best choice because it is a part of the definition of "chuckle." The rest of the choices are all unrelated actions.

The correct answer is "absence." Both "lack" and "absence" mean the status of something not being present or available, especially when it is needed. "Abundance" is an opposite, or antonym, of "lack."

A "barrage" is an overwhelming number of explosions. The best choice is "blast," as means explosion and is the only word that refers to explosions. Considering the other choices, "anger" is a strong feeling of displeasure,"defend" means protect, and "tie" means_connect two strands together with a knot_.