All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
A synonym of "clumsy" is __________.
smart
awkward
sleepy
trip
graceful
awkward
"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 #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
A synonym of "optimistic" is __________.
pardonable
negative
argumentative
positive
negotiable
positive
"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 #784 : Identifying Synonyms
A synonym of “quirky” is __________.
dull
eccentric
prodigious
fascinating
conventional
eccentric
“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 #6 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
WILY
Different
Uninterested
Weary
Sneaky
Sneaky
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 #7 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
TIMID
Shy
Serene
Pallid
Atone
Shy
"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 #8 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
NOBLE
unethical
immoral
corrupt
honorable
honorable
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 #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
OBTUSE
Angle
Clever
Dumb
Chaotic
Dumb
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 #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
OPTIMISTIC
Sad
Hopeful
Good
Perfect
Hopeful
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 #11 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
NOBLE
Distinguished
Rich
Bald
New
Distinguished
The word "noble" means praised for character or excellence. The best choice is "distinguished" which means well-known, typically for excellence.
Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
CALLOUS
Abject
Talkative
Verdant
Insensitive
Insensitive
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.
All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
