ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

APPREHENSIVE

Possible Answers:

Anxious

Destructive

Perceptive

Criminal

Correct answer:

Anxious

Explanation:

When you are "apprehensive," you are fearful that something negative is going to happen. You have likely heard of the word "apprehend." (If you haven't, you should use it!) The word "apprehend" means to seize or grab. It is often used when we talk about the police "apprehending a criminal," that is, seizing and grasping a criminal. An "apprehensive" state of mind is one that is "grasped by fear" or "seized by worry." Therefore, the best answer is "anxious," for when someone is anxious, he or she is quite worried.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

DEFLATED

Possible Answers:

Imposed

Encouraged

Discouraged

Disposed 

Implied 

Correct answer:

Discouraged

Explanation:

“Deflated” means saddened and discouraged by some experience. To provide further help, “encouraged” means supported; “disposed” means got rid of; “imposed” means forced upon; “implied” means suggested

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

INTIMIDATED

Possible Answers:

Chronological

Stationary

Hazardous

Scared

Dominant

Correct answer:

Scared

Explanation:

"Intimidated" means scaredfrightened, 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 #22 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

A synonym of "plaintive" is __________.

Possible Answers:

celebratory

moving

sorrowful

thrilling

respected

Correct answer:

sorrowful

Explanation:

"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 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

RELUCTANT

Possible Answers:

Enthused 

Cantankerous

Unwilling 

Susceptible 

Demonic 

Correct answer:

Unwilling 

Explanation:

“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 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

HOSTILE

Possible Answers:

Complicated

Lively

Hateful

Courteous

Correct answer:

Hateful

Explanation:

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 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

CANTANKEROUS

Possible Answers:

Round

Gassy

Tired

Grouchy

Full

Correct answer:

Grouchy

Explanation:

The word "cantankerous" means hard to deal with or ill-tempered. The best choice is "grouchy," which shares the same definition.

Example Question #34 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

SUSPICIOUS

Possible Answers:

Reliable

Unsatisfied

Unsure

Definite

Precise

Correct answer:

Unsure

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Spiteful 

Terrorizing

Angry

Anxious

Frustrating

Correct answer:

Frustrating

Explanation:

"Aggravating" means exasperating. Similarly, "frustrating" means bothersome or annoying. These words are very similar, and therefore are synonyms.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

DISGRUNTLED

Possible Answers:

Upset

Frustrated

Disorderly

Wrinkled

Obnoxious

Correct answer:

Upset

Explanation:

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.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors