ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Value, and Rarity

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Value, And Rarity

A synonym of "lavish" is __________.

Possible Answers:

sparing

colorful

cheap

luxurious

particular

Correct answer:

luxurious

Explanation:

"Lavish" is an adjective that means "sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious," "very generous or extravagant" when used of a person, or "spent or given in profusion." So, neither "sparing" nor "cheap" can be the correct answer because each of these words are antonyms of "lavish," not synonyms. "Luxurious," however, means "extremely comfortable, elegant, or enjoyable, especially in a way that involves great expense," or "giving self-indulgent or sensuous pleasure." So, because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "lavish," "luxurious" is the correct answer.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Value, And Rarity

A synonym of "costly" is __________.

Possible Answers:

pricey

mistaken

talkative

burdensome

cheap

Correct answer:

pricey

Explanation:

"Costly" is an adjective that means either "costing a lot; expensive" or "causing suffering, loss, or disadvantage," so we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "costing a lot" or "causing suffering." "Cheap" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "cheap" is an antonym, not a synonym, of "costly." Since "pricey" is an adjective that informally means "expensive," "pricey" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "costly," making "pricey" is the correct answer.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Value, And Rarity

A synonym of "marvelous" is __________.

Possible Answers:

incidental

hidden

phenomenal

understood

mundane

Correct answer:

phenomenal

Explanation:

"Marvelous" is an adjective that means either "causing great wonder; extraordinary" or "extremely good or pleasing; splendid." So, we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "extraordinary" or "splendid." "Mundane," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "mundane" means "lacking interest or excitement; dull," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "marvelous." "Phenomenal," however, is an adjective that means " very remarkable; extraordinary," and because "phenomenal" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "marvelous," "phenomenal" is the correct answer.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Value, And Rarity

A synonym of “lucrative” is __________.

Possible Answers:

sincere

unprofitable

profitable

fraudulent

insincere

Correct answer:

profitable

Explanation:

“Lucrative” is an adjective that means “producing profit,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “producing profit.” That means that “unprofitable” cannot be the correct answer, because “unprofitable” can mean “not yielding profit” when referring to a business or activity, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “lucrative.” “Profitable,” however, is an adjective that means “yielding profit” when referring to a business or activity, and because “profitable” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “lucrative,” “profitable” is the correct answer.

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Value, And Rarity

Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.

Expensive

Possible Answers:

Cruel

Costly

Confusing

Kind

Cheap

Correct answer:

Costly

Explanation:

"Expensive" means costly.

Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Value, And Rarity

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

PALTRY

Possible Answers:

Cupboard

Meager

Trial

Coin

Correct answer:

Meager

Explanation:

"Paltry" means incredibly small and meaningless. "Meager" is the best choice because it also means worthless or not enough. 

Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Value, And Rarity

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

LUCRATIVE

Possible Answers:

Creative

Difficult

Advantageous

Easy

Correct answer:

Advantageous

Explanation:

The word "lucrative" means profitable or moneymaking. The best choice is "advantageous" because it means profitable or useful.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Value, And Rarity

Synonyms: Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

VALUABLE

Possible Answers:

Authoritative

Worthless

Expensive

Antique

Correct answer:

Expensive

Explanation:

"Valuable" is defined as worth a great deal of money. Since "expensive" things are highly priced, "expensive" is the best answer choice. "Worthless" is an antonym of "valuable."

Example Question #19 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Value, And Rarity

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

FAULTY

Possible Answers:

Flawed

Untrained

Trembling

Horrible

Frightening

Correct answer:

Flawed

Explanation:

The word "faulty" is an adjective that means—unsurprisingly—having a fault or faults. A "faulty" tire is one that does not spin correctly, and a "faulty computer" is one that does not work as it should. You might get confused looking at the options and think that perhaps "trembling" is a good good answer. A "fault line" is an imperfection in the earth's crust, leading to earthquakes at times. However, the word "faulty" mere indicates imperfection or flaws. Therefore, "flawed" is the best answer.

Example Question #20 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Value, And Rarity

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

ELITE

Possible Answers:

Snobby

Happy

Rude

Best

Lofty

Correct answer:

Best

Explanation:

"Elite" means having superlative qualities. "Best" means better than all other options. Given how similar these words' meanings are, "best" is the synonym for "elite."

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