ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1031 : Synonyms

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

DISTRACTED

Possible Answers:

Hardened

Foolish

Preoccupied

Peaceful

Attentive

Correct answer:

Preoccupied

Explanation:

When someone is "distracted," he or she does not have his or her attention on whatever is happening at that very moment. The word "preoccupied" describes someone who has his or her attention totally absorbed by something. For instance, you might become preoccupied with working on a project. When you are preoccupied in this way, you are distracted from everything else and cannot pay attention to anything else.

Example Question #84 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

JOVIAL

Possible Answers:

Intricate

Foolish

Amazing

Devoted

Sociable

Correct answer:

Sociable

Explanation:

Whenever someone is "jovial," he or she has a happy temperament. Often, the word "jovial" can be used to describe someone who is both happy and friendly. Therefore, among the options provided here, the word "sociable" is fine. A person who is jovial company is very sociable and gets along with people in a group.

Example Question #85 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

BOISTEROUS 

Possible Answers:

Tired

Imaginary

Rowdy

Authentic

Tearful

Correct answer:

Rowdy

Explanation:

"Boisterous" means very active and noisy in a lively way, therefore the best word with the closest meaning would be "rowdy."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Goodness, Badness, Agreement, And Differences

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

TOXIC

Possible Answers:

Murderous

Dumped

Defective

Deadly

Trembling

Correct answer:

Deadly

Explanation:

Maybe you have heard of "toxic waste" or "toxic chemicals." The word "toxic" describes something that is not healthy but, instead, is poisonous. This is not the same as being "murderous," but it is the same as being "deadly." "Deadly" things are dangerous and harmful—as are toxic ones. "Toxins" are things that are harmful (or toxic) in this way.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Goodness, Badness, Agreement, And Differences

What is a synonym for distinct?

Possible Answers:

angry

remote

separate

foolish

fighting

Correct answer:

separate

Explanation:

Whenever two things are distinct, they are different from each other and cannot be confused with each other.  For example, we could say, "Those two character traits are distinct.  Some people can be angry without turning red."  This means that turning red is something different than being angry.  The best option among those provided is "separate", for this communicates the idea of being two distinct realities.

Example Question #871 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ATTENTIVE

Possible Answers:

Friendly

Rapid

Intellectual

Brilliant

Aware

Correct answer:

Aware

Explanation:

The word "attentive" is used to describe someone who is carefully aware of something. It means that he or she gives that thing his or her attention. To be attentive does not necessarily mean that such a person is intelligent; however, it does mean that he or she is aware. Thus, we would say, "She was an attentive listener, never missing a single word said to her."

Example Question #872 : Identifying Synonyms

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

THOROUGH

Possible Answers:

Direct

Passing

Complete

Between

Internal

Correct answer:

Complete

Explanation:

Do not confuse "thorough" with "through!"  The word "thorough" means complete or total. It is used to describe something that is not done merely partially but is done in its fullness. For example, if you clean your room "thoroughly," you have done so completely.  

Example Question #873 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INTRICATE

Possible Answers:

Complicated

Simple

Vibrant

Computerized

Plain

Correct answer:

Complicated

Explanation:

When something is "intricate," it is complex. Thus, we can say, "He gave an intricate answer, taking a long time to describe all of the details of the new building." Also, you could say that a new invention is intricate if it is made up of many parts that fit together in complex ways. Therefore, the best option among those given is "complicated."

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Complexity, Precision, And Luck

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

ACCESSIBLE

Possible Answers:

Porous

Simplistic

Tiny

Short

Understandable

Correct answer:

Understandable

Explanation:

Whenever something is "accessible," we can get to it relatively easily. An "accessible building" is one that doesn't take a lot of complicated maneuvers to reach. An "accessible item" on a shelf can be grabbed without a lot of trouble. "Accessible" does not mean "short" or "tiny"—even if being short or tiny makes some things more accessible. Instead, this question uses a secondary meaning of "accessible." We can also say that ideas are accessible. Thus, if someone can explain things in an understandable manner, we say that he or she is very accessible in his or her talking.

Example Question #874 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CONVOLUTED

Possible Answers:

Descriptive

Playful

Interesting

Beautiful

Complicated

Correct answer:

Complicated

Explanation:

"Convoluted" means something is unclear or easy to understand, therefore, "complicated" would be the word most like convoluted.

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