ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #71 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

AMPLE

Possible Answers:

Applied

Meager

Profuse

Charged

Worried

Correct answer:

Profuse

Explanation:

"Ample" is an adjective that means "enough or more than enough; plentiful." So, "meager" cannot be the correct answer, because "meager" means "lacking in quantity or quality" when used to refer to something provided or available," making "meager" an antonym of "ample," not a synonym." "Profuse," however, is an adjective that means "exuberantly plentiful; abundant, especially when used of something offered or discharged." Because "profuse" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "ample," "profuse" is the correct answer.

Example Question #72 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

AMPLE

Possible Answers:

Timely

Abundant

Destructive

Proud

Lacking

Correct answer:

Abundant

Explanation:

“Ample” is an adjective that means “plentiful,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “enough” or “plentiful.” That means that “lacking” cannot be the correct answer, because “lacking” means “not available,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “ample.” “Abundant,” however, is an adjective that means “large quantities; plentiful,” and because “abundant” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “ample,” “abundant” is the correct answer.

Example Question #73 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

ELEPHANTINE

Possible Answers:

Minuscule

Memorable

Enormous

Ivory

Broad

Correct answer:

Enormous

Explanation:

"Elephantine" means elephant-like, or in other words, extremely large. While elephants produce ivory and are said to have good memories in popular culture, neither "ivory" (off-white) nor "memorable" (significant or easy to remember) is a synonym of "elephantine."

Example Question #74 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

SOLITARY

Possible Answers:

Communal

Alone

Imaginary

Paired

Written

Correct answer:

Alone

Explanation:

"Solitary" shares its roots with words like "sole" (onlyalone) and "solo" (a musical piece performed by one person alone or as a part of a group performance). Given that these other terms each have to do with being by oneself in some way, it's not surprising that "solitary" means done alone or living alone, making "alone" the best answer choice. As for the other answer choices, "paired” means matched up with another; “imaginary” means not real, and instead created in the mind; "communal" means available for the use of anyone in a certain group; and "written" means conveyed in text.

Example Question #75 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

MINUSCULE

Possible Answers:

Silent

Gigantic

Reserved

Tiny

Talkative

Correct answer:

Tiny

Explanation:

"Minuscule" means "tiny." As for the other answer choices, “gigantic” means very big, and is an antonym of "miniscule." “Talkative” means chatty; “reserved” means not loud or social, quiet and liking to be alone; and “silent” means not making any noise.

Example Question #76 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

TOWERING

Possible Answers:

Developed

Lofty

Expansive

Urban

Industrial

Correct answer:

Lofty

Explanation:

The word "towering" is indeed related to the well-known word "tower." Obviously, towers are known for their height. They are quite tall buildings. Now, while they are often built in cities, the word "towering" is not synonymous with being "urban" or city-related. Instead, the word "towering" is an adjective merely meaning very tall. Thus, the word "lofty" is the best, for this can be used to describe something that is very high.

Example Question #77 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

REGULAR

Possible Answers:

Boring

Unwelcome

Intended

Uniform

Popular

Correct answer:

Uniform

Explanation:

When something is regular, it happens in a pattered way. If water is dropping in a regular manner from the ceiling, this means that it drops in a way that is predictable. If the bus always comes at the same time every day, it has a regular pattern and schedule. This kind of thing can be boring, but the word "regular" does not indicate boringness.  It indicates this kind of predictability. The word "uniform" means "having the same appearance." In school, if you have uniforms, this means that all of the students look the same. A "uniform pattern" is a regular pattern. Thus the word "uniform" is the best option among those provided.

Example Question #78 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

SPACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Amazing

Celestial

Universal

Roomy

Amazing

Correct answer:

Roomy

Explanation:

The word "spacious" does have to do with space—physically open space, that is. When a room is "spacious" it has a lot of room in it. Thus, the word "roomy" is just fine as a synonym. Don't be tricked by the options that try to get you to pick something that deals with "outer space." We call it "space" because of all the empty room outside of planets and stars. (Hence, we can say, "Outer space is spacious," but "spacious" does not have anything to do directly with stars and other things like that.)

Example Question #79 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

CHUNK

Possible Answers:

Section

Sliver

Block

Shaving

Chip

Correct answer:

Block

Explanation:

All of the options given here are about different kinds of "pieces" that we can have of something. A "chunk" of something, however, is a decent sized block. It is neither a sliver nor a mere "section." A chunk of cheese would be a little block of cheese, broken off the larger piece of cheese.

Example Question #80 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

ENORMOUS

Possible Answers:

Spacious

Shapely

Large

Big

Huge

Correct answer:

Huge

Explanation:

Whenever something is "enormous," it is very big. This "very" is important. Several options, like "big" and "large," do not express this "very." Only "huge" is a word that means very big. Therefore, it is the best option among those provided.

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