ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Adjectives and Adverbs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #251 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

She is very __________ and her friends know they can always rely on her help.

Possible Answers:

dependable

passive

grumpy

agile

irresponsible

Correct answer:

dependable

Explanation:

If the subject's friends know that they can always rely on her help than the girl must be reliable, trustworthy. The correct answer is therefore "dependable" which means able to be relied upon, trustworthy and responsible. Additionally, "passive" means not aggressive, calm and submissive, allowing others to be in charge; "grumpy" means bad-tempered, moody and upset; "irresponsible" means not responsible, it is an antonym of "dependable"; "agile" means flexible and having good speed and balance.

Example Question #252 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The high school football players felt __________ before the biggest game of their season.

Possible Answers:

apathetic

ancient

detached

forlorn

jittery

Correct answer:

jittery

Explanation:

As it is the biggest game of the team's season it makes sense that the players would feel nervous or "jittery." "Jittery" means full of nerves, anxious, unable to relax. Additionally, "apathetic" means not caring; "forlorn" means sad and hopeless; "ancient" means very old; "detached" means aloof or separate, not connected to.

Example Question #253 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

His __________ remarks greatly offended the audience.

Possible Answers:

immense

impressive

inflammatory

reliable

resourceful

Correct answer:

inflammatory

Explanation:

If the audience found the "remarks" (comments) of the speaker offensive than it makes sense that those comments must have been meant to cause offense, intended to make people angry. The correct answer then is "inflammatory." Additionally, "immense" means large, gigantic; "impressive" means causing admiration; "reliable" means able to be relied upon, responsible and dependable; "resourceful" means capable of dealing with different types of problems.

Example Question #254 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The tourists were disgusted by the __________ animal.

Possible Answers:

delicious

timeless

beautiful

hideous

compassionate

Correct answer:

hideous

Explanation:

If the tourists were disgusted by the animal than it must have been ugly, gross, and disgusting. The correct answer is therefore "hideous." Additionally, "timeless" means eternal, lasting forever; "beautiful" means very attractive, very pretty; "delicious" means tasty; "compassionate" means kind and generous.

Example Question #255 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The food is __________ and I cannot eat it.

Possible Answers:

bewildering

delicious

vile

magnificent

superb

Correct answer:

vile

Explanation:

If the speaker cannot eat the food it makes sense that the food is gross, disgusting, unpleasant. So, the correct answer is "vile." Additionally, "superb" and "magnificent" both mean excellent, fantastic; "delicious" means tasty; "bewildering" means confusing.

Example Question #256 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

I did not understand what he was saying and gave him a __________ look.

Possible Answers:

essential

comprehensive

quizzical

favorable

comprehending

Correct answer:

quizzical

Explanation:

If the speaker did not understand the subject it would make sense for the speaker to give him a confused, questioning look. So, the correct answer is "quizzical." "Quizzical" means (of an expression) showing confusion or amusement. Additionally, "essential" means necessary, basic, needed; "comprehending" means understanding; "comprehensive" means including all possible options; "favorable" means offering some advantage.

Example Question #257 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The campers used some wood to make a __________ shelter and then took it down the next morning.

Possible Answers:

permanent

enduring

makeshift

perpetual

eternal

Correct answer:

makeshift

Explanation:

As the campers took down their shelter the next morning it could best be described as temporary or "makeshift." All the other answer choices are antonyms of "makeshift," they all mean lasting forever, permanent.

Example Question #258 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

After years of practice she finally became __________ in Spanish.

Possible Answers:

filthy

fearful

parched

quirky

fluent

Correct answer:

fluent

Explanation:

You are told that the subject has been practicing Spanish for years so it would make sense for her to be able to speak the language very well. Someone who can speak a language clearly and accurately is said to be "fluent." Additionally, "filthy" means dirty; "parched" means thirsty; "fearful" means afraid; "quirky" means silly and weird.

Example Question #259 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

Thankfully, his __________ plan was foiled.

Possible Answers:

beneficial

virtuous

delightful

moral

diabolical

Correct answer:

diabolical

Explanation:

To begin with "foiled" means prevented from happening. So, if the speaker was "thankful" that the subject's plan was prevented from happening it makes sense that the plan must have been evil or wicked. So, the correct answer is "diabolical." All the other answer choices, although not quite synonyms, are all positive adjectives. For example, "virtuous" means good, righteous, moral; "beneficial" means helpful.

Example Question #260 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

The __________ farming community was located hundreds of miles from any cities.

Possible Answers:

aquatic

urban

rural

suburban

detestable

Correct answer:

rural

Explanation:

The community in this sentence is a farming community that is quite isolated and removed from other communities. It could therefore best be described as "rural." "Rural" means not related to cities or towns, of the countryside, to do with farming or living far removed from towns and cities. Additionally, "urban" means related to cities; "suburban" means related to towns that surround big cities; "aquatic" means related to the ocean; "destestable" means deserving of hatred.

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