All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #491 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DETRIMENTAL
Damaging
Seldom
Liberating
Possessively
Damaging
"Detrimental" means likely to cause injury or damage; therefore, "damaging" is the word that most closely matches the definition of "detrimental." "Liberating," which means freeing, and "seldom," which means rarely, are unrelated to the definition, as is "possessively."
Example Question #492 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DESPICABLE
Bubbly
Terrible
Serious
Dark
Ugly
Terrible
"Despicable" means to be loathsome, or deserving of hate. The word that most closely takes on this meaning is "terrible," which is something that is very bad. While both "ugly" (repulsive-looking) and "terrible" are negative terms, something that is "ugly" is not necessarily "despicable." Similarly, something that is "dark" or "serious" would also not be "despicable."
Example Question #493 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DEROGATORY
Overstated
Illegal
Terrifying
Insulting
Decisive
Insulting
Something that is "derogatory" is disrespectful and offensive to another person. Something that is "insulting" puts down another person. Given how similar these meanings are, these words are synonyms.
Example Question #494 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FRIGID
Cold
Crisp
Moist
Cool
Freezing
Freezing
For this question, you just need to be careful about the intensity of the word. Something that is "frigid" is very cold. Therefore, the best option is "freezing", for this word describes the coldest condition among the options given to you. Always find the word that is closest to the intensity indicated by your word.
Example Question #495 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
METROPOLITAN
Creation
City
Beach
Rural
Cancer
City
The word "metropolitan" means related to a city, of the city. To provide further help, "rural" means away from the city, farmland. "Beach" is an area of land overlooking an ocean. "Cancer" and "creation" are both unrelated.
Example Question #496 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SUMMIT
Collection
Question
Peak
Clouds
Difference
Peak
The word "summit" does not have to do with mathematical "sums"—as in addition! Instead, the word means the highest point. Therefore, we talk about the "summit of the mountain", meaning by this the highest point on the mountain. This is the same as the "peak" of the mountain.
Example Question #497 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MINOR
Regular
Unintelligent
Unimportant
Lazy
Surprising
Unimportant
The word "minor" comes from the Latin for less. It is the opposite of "major," which comes from the Latin meaning more. A "minor" concern is a concern that is not very important. Among the options provided, the only one that expresses this sort of lack of importance is "unimportant." You could use this word in a sentence like, "That was a minor insult, so I am not too sad." This means that it was a small insult; hence, it was not very hurtful.
Example Question #498 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OBLIVIOUS
Reduced
Unaware
Foolish
Immature
Failing
Unaware
The word "oblivious" is used to describe someone who is totally unaware of some set of facts. For example, we could say, "Steven was working so diligently on his homework that he was utterly oblivious to the loud sounds outside of his bedroom." This means that he was totally unaware of them, not even hearing them!
Example Question #499 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TEDIOUS
Boring
Failing
Standard
Hateful
Frequent
Boring
The word "tedious" is used to describe someone or something that is relatively boring. Often, this is because the thing or person in question is very repetitive or, at least, does not make much progress. For example, "a tedious lecture" is one that likely keeps making the same point over and over again. Tedious things tend to be boring, so this is a good option for this question.
Example Question #500 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
WEALTHY
Affluent
Greedy
Lucky
Friendly
Generous
Affluent
You almost certainly know the meaning of the word "wealthy." That said the correct answer, "affluent," may be a bit difficult. This word is indeed a synonym. It comes from roots that mean to flow. Think of "fluid" or even "fluent." (Someone who can speak a language "fluently" can do so in a flowing manner, without hesitations.) Although a number of the incorrect answers may be tempting, this is the only correct synonym!
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All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
