ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #784 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the word that has most nearly the same meaning as the word in capital letters.

DEVIOUS

Possible Answers:

suspicious

reprehensible

turbulent

sneaky

unfortunate

Correct answer:

sneaky

Explanation:

"Devious" is defined as showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals.

This is closest in definition to "sneaky." Although someone who is devious may be "reprehensible," meaning deserving censure or condemnation, is not a close match.

Example Question #785 : Identifying Synonyms

Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ELOQUENT:

Possible Answers:

ineffective

expressive

efficient

experienced

dull

Correct answer:

expressive

Explanation:

The word eloquent is often used in regards to eloquent language or writing.  It indicates that someone is expressive or well-spoken.

Example Question #786 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "clumsy" is __________.

Possible Answers:

graceful

sleepy

trip

smart

awkward

Correct answer:

awkward

Explanation:

"Clumsy" is an adjective that can have a variety of meanings, including "awkward in movement or in handling things," "done awkwardly or without skill or elegance," "difficult to handle or use; unwieldy," "or "lacking social skills and graces." So, "graceful" cannot be the correct answer because it means the opposite of "clumsy." "Awkward," however, which can mean "not smooth or graceful; ungainly," is the closest synonym to "clumsy" amongst the listed answer choices, so "awkward" is the correct answer.

Example Question #787 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "optimistic" is __________.

Possible Answers:

negative

positive

argumentative

pardonable

negotiable

Correct answer:

positive

Explanation:

"Optimistic" is an adjective that means "hopeful and confident about the future." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "hopeful" or "confident." "Negative," then, cannot be the correct answer because "negative" is an antonym of "optimistic." "Positive," however, is an adjective that can mean " thinking that a good result will happen : hopeful or optimistic," and because "positive" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "optimistic," "positive" is the correct answer.

Example Question #788 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of “quirky” is __________.

Possible Answers:

eccentric

fascinating

dull

prodigious

conventional

Correct answer:

eccentric

Explanation:

“Quirky” is an adjective that means “characterized by unexpected traits,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “peculiar.” That means that “conventional” cannot be the correct answer, because “conventional” means “concerned with what is acceptable” when used to describe a person, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “quirky.” “Eccentric,” however, is an adjective that means “unconventional and slightly strange” when describing a person or a person’s behavior, and because “eccentric” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “quirky,” “eccentric” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

WILY

Possible Answers:

Sneaky

Different

Uninterested

Weary

Correct answer:

Sneaky

Explanation:

Something that is "wily" is sneaky. "Sneaky" is the best choice because it is a part of the definition of "wily." None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "wily": "weary" means tired; "different" means deviating from the norm or unusual; and "uninterested" means not interested, as you might be able to infer from the word's use of the negative prefix "un-," which means not.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

TIMID

Possible Answers:

Pallid

Serene

Shy

Atone

Correct answer:

Shy

Explanation:

"Timid" means lacking in courage or shy. "Shy" is the best answer choice since it is a part of the definition of "timid." Considering the other choices, "pallid" means pale or faint in color, "serene" means calm, and "atone" means make up for an offense or crime

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

NOBLE

Possible Answers:

corrupt

honorable

unethical

immoral

Correct answer:

honorable

Explanation:

The correct answer is "honorable."  Both words mean having good principles and ideals. All of the other answer choices are antonyms, or opposites, of "noble."

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

OBTUSE

Possible Answers:

Clever

Dumb

Chaotic

Angle

Correct answer:

Dumb

Explanation:

The word "obtuse" is an adjective which means slow-witted or not very smart. "Dumb" is the best choice, as it means not smart. Considering the other choices, "clever" is an antonym of "obstuse." The meaning of "chaotic" is not related to the meaning of "obtuse." The choice "angle" refers to mathematical terminology (i.e. an obtuse angle) but is not relevant as we do not use "obtuse" this way in everyday speech.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

OPTIMISTIC

Possible Answers:

Good

Perfect

Hopeful

Sad

Correct answer:

Hopeful

Explanation:

The word "optimistic" means expecting a positive outcome. The best choice is "hopeful" because someone who is optimistic has hope that things will turn out well in the future. 

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