All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #61 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BASHFUL
Timid
Active
Resilient
Prudent
Corrupt
Timid
We would use the adjective "bashful" to describe someone who is nervous around others and would likely avoid being noticed whenever possible. In other words, "bashful" is synonymous with "shy" or "timid," and we have found our answer! Just to be thorough, let's take a look at the three incorrect choices. "Resilient" refers to the quality of being strong or able to endure hardship. "Active" can either relate to physical exercise or simply mean busy, and a "corrupt" individual acts dishonestly or otherwise immorally, especially in a position of power. None of these choices relate to the term "bashful" at all, so "timid" should be our final choice.
Example Question #841 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HUMOROUS
Sad
Tough
Funny
Soft
Lonely
Funny
The word “humorous” means funny, so "funny" is the correct answer. The word “lonely” means feeling sad about being by yourself.
Example Question #63 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SINCERE
Bold
Immoral
Proud
Optimistic
Genuine
Genuine
To be “sincere” means honest and truthful. It can also be used to describe an effort that is heartfelt as opposed to merely feigned. "Genuine" is thus the answer choice closest in meaning to "sincere," as it is close in meaning to this second usage. While "sincere" contains the syllable "sin," it does not derive from any word meaning "sin"; however, this may have encouraged you to pick "immoral," a synonym of "sinful," as your answer. As for the other terms, "bold" means brazen and undaunted; and "proud" means taking pleasure from what one has accomplished; and "optimistic" means choosing to see the future in a positive, hopeful light.
Example Question #62 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AUDACIOUS
Reserved
Cautious
Brazen
Humble
Overbearing
Brazen
"Audacious" means showing a shameless lack of fear. "Brazen" also means shameless and courageous, so "brazen" is the correct answer.
Example Question #65 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
POMPOUS
Careless
Arrogant
Delectable
Sluggish
Surly
Arrogant
Pompous means proud and arrogant. To further help you, surly means rude and grumpy; delectable means very tasty; sluggish means lacking energy.
Example Question #66 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GRACIOUS
Potent
Polite
Impotent
Rude
Sociable
Polite
The word "gracious" is used to describe someone who is polite. Often it is used to describe someone who is polite in victory or defeat, someone who is friendly after the end of a competition. To provide further help, "sociable" means talkative, friendly; "potent" means powerful and "impotent" means not powerful. Notice the impact of the prefix im-.
Example Question #67 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DEVOTED
Religious
Regular
Loyal
Friendly
Forgotten
Loyal
A devoted person is someone who is loyal and caring. The verb "to devote" is used to describe spending one's time on a given task. For example, we could say, "He devoted many hours to helping his mother bake cookies for Christmas." The adjective "devoted" expresses some of this same sense of "being involved;" however, it takes on the idea of being loyal. Thus, we would say something like, "He was a devoted friend, always ready to help in even the most difficult of times."
Example Question #70 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SUSPICIOUS
Illegal
Evil
Imprisoned
Questionable
Dangerous
Questionable
The word "suspicious" has many negative meanings associated with it. In general, "suspicious activity" is activity that is in some way questionable and not good. It indicates that some kind of secrecy is going on. You might be tempted to pick many of the options that have such bad overtones. Suspicious activity is not, however, essentially illegal activity. Instead, it is just "questionable." For example, you could say, "His explanation was suspicious, so his mother decided to check into the matter further."
Example Question #71 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
RATIONAL
Talented
Genius
Humane
Angry
Logical
Logical
The word "rational" comes from the Latin roots meaning able to reason. Reasoning is just the manner of thinking that we do when we think logically. For example, you might think: "I generally hate any kind of oatmeal. This food is oatmeal. Well, therefore, I likely will hate this food." This is a rational or logical way of thinking.
Example Question #71 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IMMATURE
Developed
Childish
Stupid
Aged
Responsible
Childish
When something is "mature," it is fully developed. Sometimes, the word is used to describe food that has become ripe; however, it can also be used to describe someone's personality. For example, a mature adult is someone who takes life seriously, as is appropriate for someone of his or her age. An immature person is someone who is not mature. Thus, the best option among those provided here is "childish."
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