ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #472 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HECTIC

Possible Answers:

Busy

Surprised

Determined

Solitary

Radiant

Correct answer:

Busy

Explanation:

To have a "hectic" schedule is to have an extremely busy one, so "busy" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, none are close in meaning to "hectic": "solitary" means alone; "radiant" means glowing; "surprised" means astounded or shocked; and "determined" means firmly decided on something.

Example Question #473 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SAVAGE

Possible Answers:

Proud

Sharp

Satanic

Barbaric

Stern

Correct answer:

Barbaric

Explanation:

To be "savage" means to be violent in a primitive way. To be "barbaric" means acting with unsophisticated aggression. Given how similar these two words are, they are synonyms.

Example Question #474 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DOMESTICATED

Possible Answers:

Agricultural

Boring

Tame

Sheltered

Confident

Correct answer:

Tame

Explanation:

"Domesticated" means tamed or made submissive to human beings. To be "tame" means no longer wild, and rather, under control of humans. Thus, "domesticated" and "tame" mean the same thing and are synonyms.

Example Question #475 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SNEAKY

Possible Answers:

Official

Sly

Bad

Dark

Illegal

Correct answer:

Sly

Explanation:

To be "sneaky" means to be trying to be undetected or unnoticed. To be "sly" means to be able to carry out activities without drawing attention to oneself. Given how similar these words are in meaning, they are synonyms. 

Example Question #476 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "auspicious" is . . .

Possible Answers:

promising

selected

personable

ludicrous

ominous

Correct answer:

promising

Explanation:

"Auspicious" is an adjective that can mean either "conducive to success; favorable," or "giving or being a sign of future success." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that is an adjective and means something like "favorable." So, "ominous" cannot be the correct answer because "ominous" means "giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious," so "ominous" is an antonym of "auspicious." "Promising," however, is an adjective that means "showing signs of future success," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "auspicious," "promising" is the correct answer.

Example Question #477 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRECISE

Possible Answers:

Exact

Formal

Perfect

Interesting

Correct answer:

Exact

Explanation:

"Precise" means marked by exactness, as in the sentence, "In order for the science experiment to work, we must make very precise measurements." "Exact" is most similar in meaning to "precise," so "exact" is the correct answer.

 

Incorrect answers:

"Perfect" is not the best answer because although you might describe precise measurements as being "perfect," the word "perfect" means as good as it is possible to be. For example, you might say "That was a perfect book report" or "I got a perfect score on my test." So, "exact" is close in meaning to "precise" than "perfect" is.

"Interesting" means holding or catching attention, as in the sentence, "The museum display of brightly colored butterflies was interesting to the students."

"Formal" means following accepted conventions or rules, as in the sentence, "My teacher's first name is Susan, but we address her formally as Mrs. Brown."

 

Example Question #478 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "convoluted" is __________.

Possible Answers:

complex

open

straightforward

menacing

simple

Correct answer:

complex

Explanation:

"Convoluted" is an adjective that means "extremely complex and difficult to follow" and is used of arguments, stories, or sentences. So, neither "simple" nor "straightforward" can be the correct answer because each of these words are antonyms of "convoluted," not synonyms. "Complex," however, is an adjective that means "consisting of many different and connected parts" or "not easy to analyze or understand; complicated or intricate." Because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "convoluted," "complex" is the correct answer.

Example Question #479 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INTRICATE

Possible Answers:

Unified

Simple

Complicated

Straightforward

Correct answer:

Complicated

Explanation:

The adjective "intricate" refers to something that is complex or nuanced. It is sometimes used to describe physical complexity (like an intricate system of highways), but also applies to ideas that may be difficult to grasp. "Complicated" is the clear synonym here. Of the remaining choices, both "straightforward" and "simple" are antonyms of the given word, since they convey a lack of complexity. "Unified" is used to describe groups that have been united or brought together.

Example Question #480 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRECISE

Possible Answers:

Immature

Careless

Serious

Exact

Incomplete

Correct answer:

Exact

Explanation:

The adjective "precise" refers to an extremely accurate or specific measurement or assessment. "Exact," which also refers to an accurate or correct quantity, is our answer. "Careless" is clearly incorrect, since it describes something that is sloppy and unlikely to be perfectly measured. You might use the word "immature" to describe a person who acts unusually young and inexperienced; neither this term nor "incomplete" (unfinished) is related to the given word.

Example Question #641 : Synonyms

Select the synonym.

Enchanting

Possible Answers:

Discouraging

Delectable

Confusing

Dreadful

Dueling

Correct answer:

Delectable

Explanation:

Both enchanting and delectable can be defined as highly pleasing. 

Discouraging, dueling, and dreadful are antonyms to enchanting.

Something enchanting may or may not be confusing, so that does not work either.

 

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