ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #411 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

RELUCTANT

Possible Answers:

Alert

Hesitant

Thoughtful

Brave

Silent

Correct answer:

Hesitant

Explanation:

When someone is "reluctant," he or she hesitates to do some given task. For example, we could say, "Because of her fear of spiders, Courtney was reluctant to enter the old house for fear of finding many of the insects in it." This means that Courtney did not want to enter the house and likely hesitated because of her fears.

Example Question #412 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

INSANE

Possible Answers:

Sick

Crazy

Hospitalized

Imprisoned

Disappointing

Correct answer:

Crazy

Explanation:

The word "insane" is used to describe someone or something that is crazy. For instance, a person who has lost his or her mind would be called "insane". Such a person requires a lot of care to keep himself or herself safe. An "insane idea" is a crazy one. For example, if someone told you that they were going to try to use a pig as a parachute when jumping out of a plane, you could say that the person had an "insane idea." 

Example Question #413 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

AGREEABLE

Possible Answers:

Talented

Legal

Joyful

Argumentative

Friendly

Correct answer:

Friendly

Explanation:

When we say that something is "agreeable," we are saying that it is enjoyable (or at least not unenjoyable). For this question, the correct answer is a synonym for the way that we say something like, "He had an agreeable personality."  This means that the person had a personality that was on the whole friendly and enjoyable. In a way, you could say that most people would agree to be around such a person!

Example Question #414 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

FANATICAL

Possible Answers:

Risky

Enthusiastic

Dreary

Dangerous

Famous

Correct answer:

Enthusiastic

Explanation:

When someone is a "fanatic," he or she intensely follows some way of life. For example, a person might be a fanatic for exercise, meaning that he or she does a lot of exercising. Sometimes, fanatics are dangerous people, as when someone supports a political cause and wants to hurt people; however, "fanatical" does not always have to describe such dangerous characters. It can just describe someone who is very energetic—enthusiastic—for a cause. This is the best answer among those given.

Example Question #415 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

TENDER

Possible Answers:

Burning

Kind

Religious

Angry

Pleasing

Correct answer:

Kind

Explanation:

The word "tender" is not "tinder," which is a small kind of wood used for building a fire. Instead, to be "tender" means that you are kind. You could say, "Bill was very tender to his wife, showing her much affection after a stressful day of work."  Thus, "kind" is the best option given.

Example Question #416 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

ASSERTIVE

Possible Answers:

Aware

Confident

Arrogant

Conceited

Illegal

Correct answer:

Confident

Explanation:

When someone is "assertive," he or she is very confident. This can come off as being arrogant because such a person can be a little pushy, but the primary meaning of assertiveness is the character trait of being confident. Therefore, the best option is simply "confident." Do not be tricked by "conceited" or "arrogant". These are trap options!

Example Question #417 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

ATTENTIVE

Possible Answers:

Intellectual

Delightful

Thoughtful

Pliable

Awake

Correct answer:

Thoughtful

Explanation:

When someone is "attentive," he or she is very aware of his or her surroundings. Therefore, "attentive" can mean merely to be very aware. None of the options exactly match this meaning, but a secondary meaning of "attentive" is "to be thoughtfully aware of others." This is clearly related to the first meaning, though it is a little more focused. Therefore, the best option is "thoughtful," as this expresses at least the second meaning of "attentive."

Example Question #418 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

RESPONSIBLE

Possible Answers:

Targeted

Unemotional

Known

Aged

Mature

Correct answer:

Mature

Explanation:

The word "responsible" can mean guilty, as when we say, "He was responsible for the crime." Someone can also be "responsible for himself or herself." Whenever we grow up, we become more "responsible," meaning that people can rely on us to do what we say we are going to do. An immature person is not yet responsible. A mature person is. Hence, "mature" is good synonym for "responsible." This has nothing to do with age. It has everything to do with a good character. You're only young once, but you can immature forever!

Example Question #419 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

MEEK

Possible Answers:

Humble

Secretive

Feeble

Small

Shrinking

Correct answer:

Humble

Explanation:

Whenever someone is "meek" he or she has a very kind and quiet personality. This kind of person can be afraid to assert himself or herself. A decent synonym for "meek" is "humble." A humble person is someone who does not think too highly of himself or herself.

Example Question #420 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

ASSERTIVE

Possible Answers:

Delightful

Successful

Confident

Respectable

Elegant

Correct answer:

Confident

Explanation:

Whenever someone is "assertive," he or she could be described as being pushy. The verb "assert" means to declare or to insist. An "assertive" person is usually pretty confident. This can seem "arrogant," but he or she might just be very certain of himself or herself. Thus, the best option among those given is "confident".

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