All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #31 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
RELUCTANT
Demonic
Unwilling
Enthused
Cantankerous
Susceptible
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
Courteous
Lively
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 #27 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CANTANKEROUS
Gassy
Tired
Round
Full
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 #28 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SUSPICIOUS
Unsatisfied
Definite
Unsure
Reliable
Precise
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 #29 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AGGRAVATING
Anxious
Angry
Spiteful
Frustrating
Terrorizing
Frustrating
"Aggravating" means exasperating. Similarly, "frustrating" means bothersome or annoying. These words are very similar, and therefore are synonyms.
Example Question #30 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISGRUNTLED
Wrinkled
Obnoxious
Disorderly
Frustrated
Upset
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.
Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FURIOUS
Humorous
Jealous
Sad
Happy
Angry
Angry
If you are “furious,” you are very angry. Something that is “humorous” is very funny. If you are “jealous,” it means you want something that someone else has.
Example Question #33 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SURLY
Important
Furious
Contemporary
Brawny
Sulky
Sulky
"Surly" means sullen, uncivil, and unsmiling, so "sulky," an adjective that means brooding, petulant, and in a bad mood, is the correct answer. If you confused "surly" with "burly" (physically strong and stocky) you may have picked "brawny" (physically strong and muscular) as your answer. "Contemporary," when used as an adjective, means existing at the same time as something else in the past or having to do with the modern day. "Furious" means very angry and "important" means deserving of attention or pressing.
Example Question #33 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
NONCHALANT
Caring
Interested
Unconcerned
Emotional
Gracious
Unconcerned
If someone is nonchalant about a test grade, it means he or she is unconcerned or aloof. Nonchalant is defined as laid back or not easily excited.
Example Question #34 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ELATED
Ecstatic
Strengthened
Astonished
Connected
Associated
Ecstatic
Two of the wrong options attempt to have you confuse "elated" with "related." (These wrong options are "connected" and "associated".) To be "elated", however, is to be very happy. The word "ecstatic" means just this as well. It actually comes from root words meaning standing outside. Have you ever heard someone say, "She was beside herself with joy!" This means the person was almost "outside" herself because of her strong feelings. To be "ecstatic" is to be very happy in this way.
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All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
