Identifying Synonyms - ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning

"Transpire" means take place, so something that has "transpired" has happened. To further help you, "traverse" means travel across; "aspire" means to want to achieve something; "defer" means postpone or offer to someone else; "juxtapose" means to compare and contrast.

"Abound" means to be plentiful. For example, one might write, “In the springtime, my garden abounds with flowers.” To further help you, "nostalgic" means feeling fondness for the past.

"Detain" means to hold back or to arrest. To further help you, "counsel" means give advice; "recommend" means suggest; "liberate" means help to free someone.

To "acquire" means to get, obtain, or buy, so "obtain" is the synonym.

To "instill" means to impart gradually. Therefore, "impart" is the synonym.

"Enhance" means improve, so "improve" is the synonym.

"Instigate" means start, cause, or set off. Therefore, "cause" is the synonym.

"Resign" means give up or quit, so "quit" is the correct answer.

“Slovenly” means messy. To provide further help, a “creative” person is imaginative and often artistic; “serendipitous” means fortunate or owed entirely to chance; “unfortunate” means not lucky; “inauspicious” means an unlucky beginning that suggests an unfavorable conclusion.

“Inert” means static or motionless, so "static" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "inert": "visible" means able to be seen; "edible" means able to be eaten; "audible" means able to be heard; and "impassioned" means emotional.

"Outcome" is defined as something that comes about as an effect or end, so "conclusion" is the best match. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "outcome": "commencement" means beginning or a ceremony marking the graduation of a group of students; "encumbrance" means burden; "sententious" means sanctimonious or pompous; and "peril" means immediate and serious danger.

Someone who is “destitute” is broke and penniless. To provide further guidance, "ostentatious" means defined by luxury and wealth; "comely" means cute; "ominous" and "menacing" are synonyms that both mean threatening, suggesting that danger is imminent.

"Auspicious" means fortunate, promising, favorable; a lucky start or omen. To provide further help, "audible" means able to be heard; "carnage" refers to large scale slaughter and pillaging; "mayhem" means chaos; "potential" means the possible ability of something.

"Pupil" is a noun that can mean apprentice or novice, so the answer choice closest in meaning to "pupil" is "student," a noun meaning a person who is going to school . Considering the other answer choices, "expert" is a noun meaning a specialist or a skilled person, "parent" is a noun meaning a mother or father of a child, and "worker" is a noun meaning someone who does work.

"Squander" means waste or spend unwisely, so "waste" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "squander": "flourish" means succeed or thrive; "quell" means crush or suppress; "cease" means finish or stop; and "tamper" means interfere or disrupt.

"Drudge" means work diligently at a task, often for a prolonged period of time. "Toil" means work hard as well. Therefore, "toil" is the correct answer.

"Scholar" is a noun meaning an academic or an educated person, so the answer choice closest in meaning to "scholar" is "intellectual," a word that when used as a noun means an academic or a very intelligent person. Considering the other answer choices, "novice" is noun that means beginner, a "school" is a place where students go to be taught by teachers, and "fervor" means zeal or passion.

A "nemesis" is an opponent, enemy, or adversary, so "opponent" is the correct answer. An "archaeologist" is a person who studies prehistoric people and their lifestyles. A "candidate" is a person who applies for a job or is nominated for a position. An "occurrence" is an event or happening. A "receipt" is a document that shows that a bill has been paid.

"Porous" means full of small holes or capable of absorbing liquids, so "holey," which also means full of holes, is the best choice here. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "porous": "passive" means not active; "utter" means absolute when used as an adjective; "elegant" means graceful or sophisticated; and "rakish" means dashing but disreputable.