ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

A synonym of "clumsy" is __________.

Possible Answers:

graceful

trip

awkward

sleepy

smart

Correct answer:

awkward

Explanation:

"Clumsy" is an adjective that can have a variety of meanings, including "awkward in movement or in handling things," "done awkwardly or without skill or elegance," "difficult to handle or use; unwieldy," "or "lacking social skills and graces." So, "graceful" cannot be the correct answer because it means the opposite of "clumsy." "Awkward," however, which can mean "not smooth or graceful; ungainly," is the closest synonym to "clumsy" amongst the listed answer choices, so "awkward" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

A synonym of "optimistic" is __________.

Possible Answers:

negative

argumentative

negotiable

pardonable

positive

Correct answer:

positive

Explanation:

"Optimistic" is an adjective that means "hopeful and confident about the future." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "hopeful" or "confident." "Negative," then, cannot be the correct answer because "negative" is an antonym of "optimistic." "Positive," however, is an adjective that can mean " thinking that a good result will happen : hopeful or optimistic," and because "positive" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "optimistic," "positive" is the correct answer.

Example Question #782 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of “quirky” is __________.

Possible Answers:

dull

fascinating

prodigious

eccentric

conventional

Correct answer:

eccentric

Explanation:

“Quirky” is an adjective that means “characterized by unexpected traits,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “peculiar.” That means that “conventional” cannot be the correct answer, because “conventional” means “concerned with what is acceptable” when used to describe a person, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “quirky.” “Eccentric,” however, is an adjective that means “unconventional and slightly strange” when describing a person or a person’s behavior, and because “eccentric” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “quirky,” “eccentric” is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

WILY

Possible Answers:

Different

Uninterested

Weary

Sneaky

Correct answer:

Sneaky

Explanation:

Something that is "wily" is sneaky. "Sneaky" is the best choice because it is a part of the definition of "wily." None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "wily": "weary" means tired; "different" means deviating from the norm or unusual; and "uninterested" means not interested, as you might be able to infer from the word's use of the negative prefix "un-," which means not.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

TIMID

Possible Answers:

Pallid

Serene

Shy

Atone

Correct answer:

Shy

Explanation:

"Timid" means lacking in courage or shy. "Shy" is the best answer choice since it is a part of the definition of "timid." Considering the other choices, "pallid" means pale or faint in color, "serene" means calm, and "atone" means make up for an offense or crime

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

NOBLE

Possible Answers:

honorable

unethical

immoral

corrupt

Correct answer:

honorable

Explanation:

The correct answer is "honorable."  Both words mean having good principles and ideals. All of the other answer choices are antonyms, or opposites, of "noble."

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

OBTUSE

Possible Answers:

Chaotic

Angle

Dumb

Clever

Correct answer:

Dumb

Explanation:

The word "obtuse" is an adjective which means slow-witted or not very smart. "Dumb" is the best choice, as it means not smart. Considering the other choices, "clever" is an antonym of "obstuse." The meaning of "chaotic" is not related to the meaning of "obtuse." The choice "angle" refers to mathematical terminology (i.e. an obtuse angle) but is not relevant as we do not use "obtuse" this way in everyday speech.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

OPTIMISTIC

Possible Answers:

Hopeful

Good

Perfect

Sad

Correct answer:

Hopeful

Explanation:

The word "optimistic" means expecting a positive outcome. The best choice is "hopeful" because someone who is optimistic has hope that things will turn out well in the future. 

Example Question #791 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NOBLE

Possible Answers:

Rich

Bald

Distinguished

New

Correct answer:

Distinguished

Explanation:

The word "noble" means praised for character or excellence. The best choice is "distinguished" which means well-known, typically for excellence.

Example Question #341 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

CALLOUS

Possible Answers:

Abject

Insensitive

Verdant

Talkative

Correct answer:

Insensitive

Explanation:

The word "callous" means harsh or insensitive. The best choice is "insensitive," as it is a part of the definition of "callous." Considering the other choices, "verdant" means green or covered in plants, "abject" means hopeless, and "talkative" means talking a lot.

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