All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #471 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DORMANT
Scary
Portable
Energetic
Inactive
Awake
Inactive
"Dormant" is an adjective that means "not doing anything at this time : not active but able to become active," or "having normal physical functions suspended or slowed down for a period of time; in or as if in a deep sleep." So, neither "awake" nor "energetic" can be the correct answer because each is an antonym of "dormant," not a synonym. "Inactive" is the closest synonym to "dormant" amongst the listed answer choices, so "inactive" is the correct answer.
Example Question #472 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HECTIC
Solitary
Determined
Radiant
Busy
Surprised
Busy
To have a "hectic" schedule is to have an extremely busy one, so "busy" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, none are close in meaning to "hectic": "solitary" means alone; "radiant" means glowing; "surprised" means astounded or shocked; and "determined" means firmly decided on something.
Example Question #473 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SAVAGE
Proud
Barbaric
Stern
Sharp
Satanic
Barbaric
To be "savage" means to be violent in a primitive way. To be "barbaric" means acting with unsophisticated aggression. Given how similar these two words are, they are synonyms.
Example Question #474 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DOMESTICATED
Boring
Agricultural
Sheltered
Confident
Tame
Tame
"Domesticated" means tamed or made submissive to human beings. To be "tame" means no longer wild, and rather, under control of humans. Thus, "domesticated" and "tame" mean the same thing and are synonyms.
Example Question #41 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SNEAKY
Official
Bad
Sly
Illegal
Dark
Sly
To be "sneaky" means to be trying to be undetected or unnoticed. To be "sly" means to be able to carry out activities without drawing attention to oneself. Given how similar these words are in meaning, they are synonyms.
Example Question #475 : Identifying Synonyms
A synonym of "auspicious" is . . .
promising
selected
ludicrous
personable
ominous
promising
"Auspicious" is an adjective that can mean either "conducive to success; favorable," or "giving or being a sign of future success." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that is an adjective and means something like "favorable." So, "ominous" cannot be the correct answer because "ominous" means "giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious," so "ominous" is an antonym of "auspicious." "Promising," however, is an adjective that means "showing signs of future success," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "auspicious," "promising" is the correct answer.
Example Question #476 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
PRECISE
Exact
Interesting
Formal
Perfect
Exact
"Precise" means marked by exactness, as in the sentence, "In order for the science experiment to work, we must make very precise measurements." "Exact" is most similar in meaning to "precise," so "exact" is the correct answer.
Incorrect answers:
"Perfect" is not the best answer because although you might describe precise measurements as being "perfect," the word "perfect" means as good as it is possible to be. For example, you might say "That was a perfect book report" or "I got a perfect score on my test." So, "exact" is close in meaning to "precise" than "perfect" is.
"Interesting" means holding or catching attention, as in the sentence, "The museum display of brightly colored butterflies was interesting to the students."
"Formal" means following accepted conventions or rules, as in the sentence, "My teacher's first name is Susan, but we address her formally as Mrs. Brown."
Example Question #477 : Identifying Synonyms
A synonym of "convoluted" is __________.
simple
straightforward
complex
menacing
open
complex
"Convoluted" is an adjective that means "extremely complex and difficult to follow" and is used of arguments, stories, or sentences. So, neither "simple" nor "straightforward" can be the correct answer because each of these words are antonyms of "convoluted," not synonyms. "Complex," however, is an adjective that means "consisting of many different and connected parts" or "not easy to analyze or understand; complicated or intricate." Because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "convoluted," "complex" is the correct answer.
Example Question #478 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INTRICATE
Complicated
Unified
Simple
Straightforward
Complicated
The adjective "intricate" refers to something that is complex or nuanced. It is sometimes used to describe physical complexity (like an intricate system of highways), but also applies to ideas that may be difficult to grasp. "Complicated" is the clear synonym here. Of the remaining choices, both "straightforward" and "simple" are antonyms of the given word, since they convey a lack of complexity. "Unified" is used to describe groups that have been united or brought together.
Example Question #46 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRECISE
Careless
Immature
Serious
Incomplete
Exact
Exact
The adjective "precise" refers to an extremely accurate or specific measurement or assessment. "Exact," which also refers to an accurate or correct quantity, is our answer. "Careless" is clearly incorrect, since it describes something that is sloppy and unlikely to be perfectly measured. You might use the word "immature" to describe a person who acts unusually young and inexperienced; neither this term nor "incomplete" (unfinished) is related to the given word.
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