ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Degree, Intensity, Power, and Importance

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Degree, Intensity, Power, And Importance

A synonym of "feeble" is __________.

Possible Answers:

weak

fancy

minute

strong

problematic

Correct answer:

weak

Explanation:

"Feeble" is an adjective that can mean "lacking physical strength, especially as a result of age or illness," "faint" when referring to a sound, "lacking strength of character," or "failing to convince or impress." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "lacking strength." That means that "strong" can't be the correct answer, because "strong" is an antonym of a word that means "lacking strength." "Weak," however, means "lacking the power to perform physically demanding tasks; lacking physical strength and energy." Because "weak" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "feeble," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Degree, Intensity, Power, And Importance

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

INFLUENTIAL

Possible Answers:

Important

Approving

Miraculous

Cautious

Correct answer:

Important

Explanation:

"Influential" means having a powerful effect on people or events. "Important," which means significant or valuable, is closest in meaning to "influential," so it is the correct answer.

 

Incorrect answers:

"Miraculous" means inexplicable or occurring through or as if through divine intervention, as in the sentence, "The sick child made a miraculous recovery that the doctors did not think was possible."

"Approving" means thinking favorably of, as in the sentence, "The teacher had an approving look on her face as she told the students she was proud of their hard work."

"Cautious" means careful, as in the sentence, "You must be cautious when you cross the busy street."

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Degree, Intensity, Power, And Importance

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

AUTHORITATIVE

Possible Answers:

Commanding

Rule

Power

Light

Correct answer:

Commanding

Explanation:

The word "authoritative" means trustworthy or self-assured and commandingSo, the best answer choice is "commanding."" "Power" is not the best choice because it is a noun that refers to the strength of something. Since "authoritative" is an adjective, the answer must also be an adjective.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Degree, Intensity, Power, And Importance

Select the synonym.

Severe

Possible Answers:

Kind

Harsh

Soft

Major

Distant

Correct answer:

Harsh

Explanation:

Severe is defined as something that is unnecessarily extreme, which can also define harsh. 

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Degree, Intensity, Power, And Importance

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

FEEBLE

Possible Answers:

Avalanche

Saunter

Revert

Banquet

Weak

Correct answer:

Weak

Explanation:

"Feeble" means lacking strength because of age or sickness. Weak also means not strong, so "weak" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, to "saunter" means to walk slowly, at a relaxed pace, to "revert" means to return to a previous state, an "avalanche" is a dangerous event in which snow and rocks fall quickly down the side of a mountain, and a "banquet" is a large meal or a feast.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Degree, Intensity, Power, And Importance

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

FEEBLE

Possible Answers:

Sturdy 

Robust

Brawny 

Weak 

Strong 

Correct answer:

Weak 

Explanation:

"Feeble" means weak or ineffectual. To further help you, "robust," "sturdy," and "brawny" are synonyms and all mean strong.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Degree, Intensity, Power, And Importance

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

DOMINANT

Possible Answers:

Under control

Feeling sick 

In charge

Under pressure 

Lost at sea

Correct answer:

In charge

Explanation:

"Dominant" means in control, in charge, on top.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Degree, Intensity, Power, And Importance

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

INTENSE

Possible Answers:

Extreme

Interior

Spectacular

Hateful

Burning

Correct answer:

Extreme

Explanation:

When something is "intense," it is very strong. For instance, "intense emotions" are strong emotions, and "intense heat" is very hot. When we increase the "intensity" of something, we make it to be more extreme—stronger, louder, brighter, and so forth. The best option provided is "extreme," which means to a high degree. This is similar in meaning to "intense."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Degree, Intensity, Power, And Importance

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

FEEBLE

Possible Answers:

Soft-spoken

Flexible

Anxious

Frail

Powerful

Correct answer:

Frail

Explanation:

The closest word in meaning to "feeble" is "frail." If someone or something is "feeble," it means that it is frail or weakened.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Degree, Intensity, Power, And Importance

A synonym of "drastic" is __________.

Possible Answers:

aggressive

extreme

particular

dangerous

mean

Correct answer:

extreme

Explanation:

Drastic means likely to have a strong or far-reaching effect, and can mean radical or "extreme."

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