ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Adjectives

A synonym of “diminutive” is __________.

Possible Answers:

minute

subpar

fragrant

enormous

tremulous

Correct answer:

minute

Explanation:

“Diminutive” is an adjective that means “extremely small,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “very small.” That means that “enormous” cannot be the correct answer, because “enormous” means “very large in size, quantity, or extent,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “diminutive.” “Minute,” however, is a word that means “extremely small” when used as an adjective, and because “minute” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “diminutive,” “minute” is the correct answer.

Example Question #52 : Synonyms: Adjectives

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

SOLITARY

Possible Answers:

Lone

Married

Paired

Luxurious

Guardian 

Correct answer:

Lone

Explanation:

"Solitary" means lonealone, or by oneself, so "lone" is the correct answer. To help you, "paired" means put together into a group of two, "guardian" means defender, and "luxurious" means fancy and expensive.

Example Question #53 : Synonyms: Adjectives

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

UNIQUE

Possible Answers:

Commonplace

One-of-a-kind

Young

Regular

Correct answer:

One-of-a-kind

Explanation:

When something is "unique," it is the only one of its kind, or at the very least extremely special. For example, people often talk about snowflakes as examples of uniqueness, stating that each snowflake is slightly different. "One-of-a-kind" is the correct choice here. "Commonplace" and "regular" refer to ordinary things, so these words are the opposite of our answer. "Young," which means having so far only been alive for a brief period of time or not old, is an unrelated concept.

Example Question #54 : Synonyms: Adjectives

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

PECULIAR

Possible Answers:

Uninteresting

Normal

Strange

Intelligent

Correct answer:

Strange

Explanation:

"Peculiar" is an adjective that means unusual. Therefore, the word "strange" is the correct choice; other synonyms might include odd or abnormal. "Normal" is an antonym of "peculiar," and "intelligent," or smart, is unrelated. "Uninteresting" is also an incorrect choice because a peculiar object is unlikely to be boring.

Example Question #55 : Synonyms: Adjectives

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

IMMENSE

Possible Answers:

Tiny

Petite

Lilliputian 

Miniscule

Huge

Correct answer:

Huge

Explanation:

Immense means massive, huge, or very significant. To further help you, it is an antonym of the other four answer choices, as it has the opposite meaning to them. Miniscule, petite and lilliputian are all synonyms that mean very small.

Example Question #56 : Synonyms: Adjectives

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

PUNY

Possible Answers:

Big

Lucky

Dazed

Bemused

Small

Correct answer:

Small

Explanation:

"Puny" means weak and small. To further help you, "dazed" means stunned, especially by a blow; "bemused" means confused and puzzled

Example Question #57 : Synonyms: Adjectives

Synonyms: Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

COMMON

Possible Answers:

Normal

Locality

Dedicated

Rare

Correct answer:

Normal

Explanation:

"Common" is defined as not rare. "Normal" is the best answer choice, because "normal" describes things that are standard, regular, or natural. "Rare" is an antonym of "common."

Example Question #57 : Synonyms: Adjectives

Synonyms: Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

MINUSCULE

Possible Answers:

Opaque

Tiny

Gigantic

Magnificent

Correct answer:

Tiny

Explanation:

"Minuscule" is an adjective that means extremely small. So, the answer choice closest in meaning to "minuscule" is "tiny," an adjective that means very small. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "minuscule": "gigantic" is an antonym of "miniscule" and means very large; "opaque" means not transparent; and "magnificent" means impressively beautiful.

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quantity, Variety, And Size

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

SUBSTANTIAL

Possible Answers:

Large 

Petite 

Passive 

Aggressive

Miniscule

Correct answer:

Large 

Explanation:

“Substantial” means large, significant, and extensive. To provide further help, “miniscule” and "petite" are synonyms and both mean very small. "Aggressive" means violent and destructive and is an antonym of “passive,” which means peaceful and calm. "Passive" can also be used to mean weak or easily dominated.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quantity, Variety, And Size

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

IMMENSE

Possible Answers:

Miniature

Microscopic

Colossal

Intermediate

Correct answer:

Colossal

Explanation:

"Immense" and "colossal" both mean very large, so "colossal" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, "microscopic" and "miniature" both mean very small, though "microscopic" means so small as to need a microscope to be seen and "miniature" means being a smaller version of something else. "Intermediate" means of a difficulty between easy and challenging.

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