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
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.
Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FURIOUS
Jealous
Angry
Humorous
Happy
Sad
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 #32 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SURLY
Important
Furious
Sulky
Contemporary
Brawny
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
Emotional
Caring
Interested
Gracious
Unconcerned
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 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ELATED
Ecstatic
Associated
Astonished
Strengthened
Connected
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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