ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Adjectives

Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

GLUM:

Possible Answers:

enthusiastic

laidback

serious

depressed

lazy

Correct answer:

depressed

Explanation:

When someone is glum, it means that they are depressed or saddened.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

A synonym of "dissatisfied" is __________.

Possible Answers:

funny

pleased

petulant

erroneous

disgruntled

Correct answer:

disgruntled

Explanation:

"Dissatisfied" is an adjective that means "not content or happy with something." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not happy with something." So, "pleased" cannot be the correct answer, because "pleased" is an antonym of "dissatisfied," not a synonym. "Disgruntled," however, is an adjective that means "angry or dissatisfied," so "disgruntled" is the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to "dissatisfied."

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

A synonym of "benevolent" is __________.

Possible Answers:

rude

entrenched

generous

polite

bending

Correct answer:

generous

Explanation:

Benevolent is often used to refer to leaders who lead with kindness and generosity. While polite may be close, benevolence always goes hand in hand with generosity; thus "generous" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

FURIOUS

Possible Answers:

Depressed

Enraged

Miffed

Ecstatic

Correct answer:

Enraged

Explanation:

"Furious" means full of rage. The best answer choice is "enraged" because it shares the same definition. "Furious" and "enraged" are synonyms. Considering the other choices, "depressed" means sad and gloomy, "miffed" means annoyed, and "ecstatic" means incredibly overjoyed.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

Select the synonym.

Distraught

Possible Answers:

Joyful

Tearful

Distressed

Emotional

Calm

Correct answer:

Distressed

Explanation:

When somone is distraught, they are upset and deeply agitated, which can also describe someone who is distressed. 

If someone is distraught, they can also be emotional, but distressed is a better answer choice.  Emotional describes both positive and negative feelings, whereas distraught and distressed have negative connotations.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

MELANCHOLY

Possible Answers:

Boring

Mournful

Pleased

Impassive

Correct answer:

Mournful

Explanation:

"Melancholy" refers to a gloominess in a person's mood; a person who is feeling "melancholy" will seem sad or depressed. "Mournful," which also means sad or gloomy, is therefore the best answer. "Pleased" is an opposite of "melancholy," and both "boring" and "impassive" indicate a lack of emotion, not any specific feeling of sadness.

Example Question #11 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LIVID

Possible Answers:

Restful

Quick

Angry

Intelligent

Correct answer:

Angry

Explanation:

When someone is "livid," they are extremely angry. Other words with the same meaning are "furious" and "enraged." "Restful," a word that means calm and quiet, and "intelligent," or smart, are adjectives that do not imply any anger at all. "Quick" and "livid" have nothing to do with each other.

Example Question #12 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ENVIOUS

Possible Answers:

generous

jealous

furious

delicious

delectable

Correct answer:

jealous

Explanation:

Envious means wanting something someone else has. To further help you, furious means irate, very angry; generous means giving and kind; delicious and delectable are synonyms and both mean tastes very good.

Example Question #13 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BLITHE

Possible Answers:

Oppressive

Tyrannical

Unhappy

Destroyed

Sunny

Correct answer:

Sunny

Explanation:

"Blithe" means happy and without worry. "Sunny," meaning cheerful and viewing everything favorably, is the best match.

Example Question #14 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CONTRITE

Possible Answers:

Timid

Regretful

Proud

Indignant

Correct answer:

Regretful

Explanation:

"Contrite" means feeling guilt for something one has done. "Regretful" is the choice that most closely matches this definition. "Proud" is the opposite of "contrite"; "indignant" (which means angry or annoyed) and "shy" do not mean the same thing as "contrite."

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