All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
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
Perceptive
Criminal
Destructive
Anxious
Anxious
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
Imposed
Discouraged
Encouraged
Disposed
Implied
Discouraged
“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 #23 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
INTIMIDATED
Scared
Chronological
Hazardous
Dominant
Stationary
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 #24 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
A synonym of "plaintive" is __________.
respected
moving
thrilling
sorrowful
celebratory
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
Cantankerous
Susceptible
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
Lively
Courteous
Complicated
Hateful
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
Gassy
Full
Tired
Round
Grouchy
Grouchy
The word "cantankerous" means hard to deal with or ill-tempered. The best choice is "grouchy," which shares the same definition.
Example Question #34 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SUSPICIOUS
Reliable
Definite
Precise
Unsure
Unsatisfied
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 #35 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AGGRAVATING
Terrorizing
Spiteful
Angry
Anxious
Frustrating
Frustrating
"Aggravating" means exasperating. Similarly, "frustrating" means bothersome or annoying. These words are very similar, and therefore are synonyms.
Example Question #36 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISGRUNTLED
Wrinkled
Disorderly
Upset
Frustrated
Obnoxious
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.
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