ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #391 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

BRAZEN

Possible Answers:

Nervous

Bold

Powerless

Confused

Embarrassed

Correct answer:

Bold

Explanation:

When you hear the word "brazen," you might think of the similar-sounding word "brave." The terms are similar, as both refer to fearless behavior, but "brazen" is a little bit more specific. While a brave person might be courageous in a number of situations, someone who acts in a brazen manner is shameless about doing things that would make other people embarrassed. "Bold," a word that can indicate both confidence and a disregard for rules, is our best choice here. Someone who feels shamelessly confident would not be "embarrassed," "nervous," or "powerless," so those choices are incorrect.

Example Question #392 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

FICKLE

Possible Answers:

Friendly

Truthful

Constant

Persuasive

Inconstant

Correct answer:

Inconstant

Explanation:

"Fickle" is an adjective that means "changing frequently, especially as regards one's loyalties, interests, or affection," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "changing frequently." "Constant," then, cannot be the correct answer because "constant" is an antonym of "changing frequently." "Inconstant," however, is an adjective that means either "frequently changing; variable or irregular," or when used of a person or their behavior, "not faithful and dependable." Because "inconstant" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "fickle," "inconstant" is the correct answer.

Example Question #393 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

AVID

Possible Answers:

Eager

Apathetic

Indifferent

Passionless

Correct answer:

Eager

Explanation:

If you have heard "avid" used in phrases like "an avid sportsman," you might be able to figure out that "avid" means eager, or very interested in something. So, "eager" is the correct answer. "Apathetic," "indifferent," and "passionless" are all antonyms, or opposites, of "avid."

Example Question #394 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

PRESUMPTUOUS

Possible Answers:

Justified

Ashamed

Audacious

Apt

Bubbly

Correct answer:

Audacious

Explanation:

"Presumptuous" is an adjective that is used of a person or their behavior and means "failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not appropriate." "Apt," then, cannot be the correct answer because "apt" means "appropriate or suitable in the circumstances," making it an antonym, not a synonym of "presumptuous." "Audacious," however, is an adjective that means either "showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks," or "showing an impudent lack of respect." Because "audacious" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "presumptuous," "audacious" is the correct answer.

Example Question #395 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

ADAPTIVE

Possible Answers:

Flexible

Sneaky

Careful

Charming

Shy

Correct answer:

Flexible

Explanation:

Someone who is "adaptive" is good at adjusting to his or her surroundings. Someone who is "flexible" is able to accommodate different types of situations. Therefore, "adaptive" is most similar to "flexible."

Example Question #396 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

DEFT

Possible Answers:

Confusing

Harmful

Overt

Skillful

Unclear

Correct answer:

Skillful

Explanation:

Someone who is “deft” is very skillful at a particular activity. Something that is “harmful” is damaging. Something that is “overt” is obviouspalpable, or not at all hidden.

Example Question #397 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

CHATTY

Possible Answers:

Talkative

Fluent

Belligerent

Distant

Casual

Correct answer:

Talkative

Explanation:

"Chatty" is the adjectival form of the word "chat," which means talk casually about relatively unimportant subjects. Someone who is "chatty" likes to chat, so they are "talkative." "Fluent" may look like a potentially correct answer, but someone "fluent" in a language is able to speak that langauge very well, so it is not close in meaning to "chatty."

Example Question #398 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

STERN

Possible Answers:

Serious

Unkind

Pompous

Envious

Fair

Correct answer:

Serious

Explanation:

Someone who is “stern” is very strict and serious, so "stern" is closest in meaning to “severe,” a word that means very serious.

Example Question #399 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

WITTY

Possible Answers:

Difficult

Spontaneous

Silly

Clever

Desirable

Correct answer:

Clever

Explanation:

Someone who is "witty" is able to say clever things that are funny and entertaining. Therefore, "clever" is the correct answer.

Example Question #400 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

GREGARIOUS

Possible Answers:

Introspective

Shy

talkative

Eager

Rude

Correct answer:

talkative

Explanation:

Do you have a friend who is always happiest in large groups, or loves to talk to others more than anything else? Such a person would be "gregarious," or extremely social. "Talkative" certainly shares a similar meaning, so it is our correct choice. "Shy" is the opposite of "gregarious," and the same goes for "introspective," or deeply thoughtful and reflective. Finally, a "rude" person is impolite, not necessarily social or talkative.

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