All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #26 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
INTIMIDATED
Scared
Stationary
Dominant
Hazardous
Chronological
Scared
"Intimidated" means scared, frightened, or overawed, so "scared" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "intimidated": "dominant" means superior or most powerful; "stationary" means immobile or not moving; "hazardous" means unsafe or dangerous; and "chronological" means in an order based on when something occurred.
Example Question #27 : Identifying Synonyms
A synonym of "plaintive" is __________.
moving
respected
sorrowful
celebratory
thrilling
sorrowful
"Plaintive" is an adjective that means "sounding sad and mournful." So, we need to pick out an adjective that means something similar to "sad" or "mournful." So, "celebratory" cannot be the correct answer because it is an antonym of "sad" and "mournful." "Sorrowful," however, is an adjective that means either "feeling or showing grief" or "causing grief," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "plaintive," "sorrowful" is the correct answer.
Example Question #31 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
RELUCTANT
Demonic
Susceptible
Cantankerous
Enthused
Unwilling
Unwilling
“Reluctant” means not willing, so "unwilling" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "reluctant": “cantankerous” means grumpy; “enthused” means excited; “demonic” means marked by qualities of the devil or of demons; “susceptible” means vulnerable or in danger from something specific.
Example Question #32 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
HOSTILE
Courteous
Complicated
Hateful
Lively
Hateful
The word "hostile" means not friendly or like an enemy. The best choice is "hateful," which means expressing hate or dislike of something. Considering the other choices, "complicated" means difficult to understand, "courteous" means polite, and "lively" means energetic.
Example Question #33 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CANTANKEROUS
Round
Tired
Grouchy
Gassy
Full
Grouchy
The word "cantankerous" means hard to deal with or ill-tempered. The best choice is "grouchy," which shares the same definition.
Example Question #202 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SUSPICIOUS
Unsatisfied
Reliable
Precise
Unsure
Definite
Unsure
"Suspicious" means to be "unsure" or uncertain that someone or something is what that person or thing appears or claims to be. This differs from "unsatisfied," which means not content; "reliable," which means responsible; "precise," which means exact; and "definite," which means certain.
Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AGGRAVATING
Angry
Frustrating
Anxious
Spiteful
Terrorizing
Frustrating
"Aggravating" means exasperating. Similarly, "frustrating" means bothersome or annoying. These words are very similar, and therefore are synonyms.
Example Question #204 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISGRUNTLED
Wrinkled
Frustrated
Obnoxious
Upset
Disorderly
Upset
To be "disgruntled" means to be dissatisfied and unhappy. To be "upset" means to be in a state of dismay. Given how similar in meaning "disgruntled" and "upset" are, "upset" is the correct answer.
Example Question #205 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FURIOUS
Jealous
Humorous
Happy
Sad
Angry
Angry
If you are “furious,” you are very angry. Something that is “humorous” is very funny. If you are “jealous,” it means you want something that someone else has.
Example Question #34 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SURLY
Furious
Important
Sulky
Brawny
Contemporary
Sulky
"Surly" means sullen, uncivil, and unsmiling, so "sulky," an adjective that means brooding, petulant, and in a bad mood, is the correct answer. If you confused "surly" with "burly" (physically strong and stocky) you may have picked "brawny" (physically strong and muscular) as your answer. "Contemporary," when used as an adjective, means existing at the same time as something else in the past or having to do with the modern day. "Furious" means very angry and "important" means deserving of attention or pressing.
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor
All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
