All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #391 : Synonyms: Adjectives
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BRAZEN
Nervous
Bold
Powerless
Confused
Embarrassed
Bold
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
Friendly
Truthful
Constant
Persuasive
Inconstant
Inconstant
"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
Eager
Apathetic
Indifferent
Passionless
Eager
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
Justified
Ashamed
Audacious
Apt
Bubbly
Audacious
"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
Flexible
Sneaky
Careful
Charming
Shy
Flexible
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
Confusing
Harmful
Overt
Skillful
Unclear
Skillful
Someone who is “deft” is very skillful at a particular activity. Something that is “harmful” is damaging. Something that is “overt” is obvious, palpable, 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
Talkative
Fluent
Belligerent
Distant
Casual
Talkative
"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
Serious
Unkind
Pompous
Envious
Fair
Serious
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
Difficult
Spontaneous
Silly
Clever
Desirable
Clever
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
Introspective
Shy
talkative
Eager
Rude
talkative
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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