All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #391 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
DANDY
Terrific
Useful
Tasteful
Normal
Terrific
One of the meanings of "dandy" is excellent. The best choice is "terrific" because it is a synonym of "excellent."
Example Question #221 : Synonyms: Adjectives
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
SUPERB
Outrageous
Poor
Excellent
Average
Mediocre
Excellent
“Superb” means excellent or close to perfect, so "excellent" is the correct answer. To provide further help, “mediocre” means average when higher quality was expected, and “outrageous” means disgraceful and shocking.
Example Question #222 : Synonyms: Adjectives
Synonyms: Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
PERFECT
Functional
Messy
Ideal
Restless
Ideal
"Perfect" is an adjective that means as good as possible or lacking any imperfections. So, the answer choice closest in meaning to "perfect" is "ideal," an adjective that means most suitable or perfect. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "perfect": "messy" means dirty; "restless" means unable to relax; and "functional" means existing for a specific purpose.
Example Question #223 : Synonyms: Adjectives
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
GHASTLY
Horrible
Mangle
Whimsical
Surprising
Iconic
Horrible
“Ghastly” means horrific, horrible, and abhorrent. To provide further help, “mangle” means to crush or twist out of shape; “surprising” means not expected; “iconic” means characterize by fame and admiration; “whimsical” means quirky and silly.
Example Question #224 : Synonyms: Adjectives
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
EXTRAORDINARY
Deplorable
Susceptible
Laudable
Incredible
Insignificant
Incredible
The prefix "extra-" means beyond or greater than, so “extraordinary” means beyond ordinary or incredible, so "incredible" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "extraordinary": “insignificant” means not significant or not important; “deplorable” means deserving of hatred; “laudable” means worthy of praise; and “susceptible” means vulnerable to something specific.
Example Question #225 : Synonyms: Adjectives
Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
SUPERB
Excellent
Acceptable
Surprising
Good
Desultory
Excellent
We all know the word "superb" because of its association with "super." Something is called "super" when it is a great specimen of that type. A "super hot room" is a room that is very hot. When something is "superb," it is excellent—very able to be praised. While it might be "good" or "acceptable," it is best to choose an answer that expresses the very good character of something that is superb. Likewise, something superb is likely to be suprising (because of how good it is). Still, to be "superb" primarily means to be "excellent" or "very good." Therefore, "excellent" is the best option.
Example Question #226 : Synonyms: Adjectives
Select the word that has most nearly the same meaning as the word in capital letters.
MAKESHIFT
extravagant
temporary
ancient
cumulative
durable
temporary
"Makeshift" is defined as serving as a temporary substitute; acceptable for the time being.
Example Question #568 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
A synonym of "lavish" is __________.
cheap
luxurious
colorful
particular
sparing
luxurious
"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 #571 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
A synonym of "costly" is __________.
burdensome
pricey
talkative
mistaken
cheap
pricey
"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 #572 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
A synonym of "marvelous" is __________.
phenomenal
understood
incidental
hidden
mundane
phenomenal
"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.
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