Synonyms: Nouns - ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning

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Question

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

SPECULATION

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Answer

The word "speculation" has a rich, varied history and set of roots. It comes, in general, from the idea of looking at something. (Hence, even the word "spectacles" for eyeglasses is related to the word "speculation.") Now, the particular word "speculation" has taken on the meaning, to think or speak about something without having evidence. For instance, someone might speculate about the cause of a leak on the edge of his or her property. He or she might walk down to the bottom of the yard and see a little stream coming out of the ground. Since he or she really does not know why the leak is occurring, at best he or she can speculate on its cause. The word "speculate" has also taken on another, more particular meaning. It can indicate the kind of "guesswork" done when people invest in the stock market. Thus, such persons (especially when they are just guessing) are called "speculators"—because they don't have firm evidence for their guesses.

"Speculation" (even in the last sense mentioned above) is not immediately equivalent to "financial" or "fiscal." Such speculations are financial speculations; however speculation is not financial in and of itself.

Thus, the best option is "conjecture." This too is a very neat word. It comes from the prefix con-, which means with or together. The -ject portion is the same as found in "eject" and "reject." It means to throw. Thus, things that are "conjectured" are just thrown together.

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