ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #91 : Synonyms: Adjectives

A synonym of "inconvenient" is __________.

Possible Answers:

persuasive

timely

inopportune

frequent

demanding

Correct answer:

inopportune

Explanation:

"Inconvenient" is an adjective consisting of the negative prefix "in-" and "convenient," so we can infer that it means something like "not convenient"; it actually means "causing trouble, difficulties, or discomfort." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not convenient" or "causing trouble." "Timely," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "timely" is an adjective that means "done or occurring at a favorable or useful time; opportune," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "inconvenient." "Inopportune," however, is an adjective that consists of the negative prefix "in-" and "opportune," so it means "not opportune," or more specifically, "occurring at an inconvenient or inappropriate time." Because "inopportune" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "inconvenient," "inopportune" is the correct answer.

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Timing, Speed, Movement, And Age

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

Tardy

Possible Answers:

On time

Sweet

Early

Late

Slow

Correct answer:

Late

Explanation:

"Tardy" means late.

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Timing, Speed, Movement, And Age

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

INTERMEDIATE

Possible Answers:

New

In-between

Different

Meddle

Correct answer:

In-between

Explanation:

"Intermediate" means in the middle or in-between, so the best choice is "in-between" which also means in the middleDon't confuse the word "meddle," which means to interfere, with the word "middle."

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Timing, Speed, Movement, And Age

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

CHRONIC

Possible Answers:

Time

Story

Old

Continual

Correct answer:

Continual

Explanation:

Something that is "chronic" continues for a long time. "Continual" is a synonym of "chronic." "Time" is not as good a choice because it refers to the general concept of time and not any length of time. "Old" also does not work here because it means great in age and does not refer to an ongoing process like the words "chronic" and "continual" do.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Timing, Speed, Movement, And Age

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

SELDOM

Possible Answers:

Impressive

Always

Rarely

Never

Often

Correct answer:

Rarely

Explanation:

Seldom means rarely or not often happening, so "rarely" is the correct answer. To help you, "impressive" means demanding notice, striking, or great.

Example Question #92 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

FREQUENT

Possible Answers:

Jealous

Often

Modest

Usually

Burrow

Correct answer:

Often

Explanation:

"Frequent" means happening again and again with little time in between events. Anorther word for "frequent" is often, so "often" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, "jealous" means envious or wanting what someone else has, "usually" means under normal circumstances, a "burrow" is a hole in the ground that certain animals dig and live in, and to "burrow" means to dig a hole in the ground, and "modest" means not taking as much credit as one should for one's achievements or talent.

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Timing, Speed, Movement, And Age

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

INSTANTANEOUS

Possible Answers:

Immediate

Tardy

Procrastinate

Eventual

Timely

Correct answer:

Immediate

Explanation:

Instantaneous means instant or occurring without any delay whatsoever. "Immediate" is the best answer choice because it also means instant.

Example Question #93 : Synonyms: Adjectives

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

ULTRAMODERN

Possible Answers:

Apolitical 

Allusion 

Aqueduct 

Assimilation

Innovative 

Correct answer:

Innovative 

Explanation:

The prefix "ultra-" means super or excessively, so “ultramodern” means extremely modern. Of the five answer choices, this is closest in meaning to “innovative,” which means original, modern, genius, offbeat. To provide further help, an “allusion” is an indirect reference to something; an “aqueduct” is a pipe that brings water from a natural source to a community; “assimilation” is the process of becoming part of a new culture after you move there; “apolitical” means not political, uninterested in politics

Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Timing, Speed, Movement, And Age

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

ANNUAL

Possible Answers:

Cooperative

Difficult

Stressful

Kind-hearted

Yearly

Correct answer:

Yearly

Explanation:

"Annual" means on a yearly basis, so "yearly" is the correct answer. "Kind-hearted" means nice and compassionate. "Difficult" means hard or tough to complete. "Stressful" means causing stress or anxiety. "Cooperative" means collaborative or working well with another person or others in a group.

Example Question #94 : Synonyms: Adjectives

Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

IRREVERSIBLE

Possible Answers:

Enigmatic 

Mercurial 

Lackadaisical 

Permanent 

Temporary 

Correct answer:

Permanent 

Explanation:

The prefix "ir-" is a negation prefix, so “irreversible” has the opposite meaning of “reversible.” Since “reversible” means able to be reversed, able to be changed back, then “irreversible” means not able to be changed, or “permanent.” To provide further help, “temporary” is an antonym of “permanent;” “mercurial” means enigmatic, hard to predict; “enigmatic” means mysterious; “lackadaisical” means lazy or careless.

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