All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #821 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
FLIPPANT
Sharp
Sassy
Hostile
Laid-back
Courteous
Sassy
"Flippant" means lacking proper respect. "Sassy" is the best match because it means cheeky or impertinent.
Example Question #822 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
UNRULY
Obedient
Meager
Rebellious
Faithful
Rebellious
Think of "unruly" as an adjective meaning not following rules, difficult to control, or rebellious. "Obedient" and "faithful" are antonyms of "unruly" and "rebellious." "Meager" means very small or too small in amount.
Example Question #823 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
BORING
Intriguing
Fascinating
Dull
Exciting
Dull
"Fascinating" and "intriguing" are synonyms, and both words mean interesting. Eliminate them, because there can be only one right answer. "Exciting" means "amazing," the opposite of "boring." So, "dull" is the correct answer.
Example Question #824 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
JOVIAL
Morose
Festive
Solemn
Melancholy
Festive
If you are unsure what the word in capital letters means, look at the answer choices. You can eliminate any answer choices that are synonyms of one other, because there isn't more than one right answer. "Morose" and "melancholy" both mean sad, so you can eliminate them. "Solemn" can mean serious. "Festive" is the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to "jovial"; both words mean good-humored or merry.
Example Question #42 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
RETENTIVE
Healthy
Educated
Having good memory
Wealthy
Owning possessions
Having good memory
“Retentive” means able to hold on to memories, or “having good memory.” To provide further help, “possessions” are things that are owned.
Example Question #43 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
ARROGANT
Pompous
Secretive
Inferior
Content
Modest
Pompous
If someone is "arrogant," they are known to be proud and pompous, so "pompous," which means full of oneself, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "arrogant": "modest" means playing down one's own accomplishments and skills, so it is an antonym of "arrogant"; "inferior" means lesser than something else in quality or some characteristic; "secretive" means uncommunicative or not giving out very much information about something; and "content," when used as an adjective, means happy with the one's current situation.
Example Question #44 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
DISCREET
Fraudulent
Prudent
Unknown
Obvious
Hopeful
Prudent
Something that is "discreet" is careful, tactful, or prudent, so "prudent" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "discreet": "obvious" means overt or easy to understand or see; "hopeful" means optimistic; "fraudulent" means deceptive; and "unknown" means not known, as you can tell from the word being a combination of the negative prefix "un-," which here means not, and "known."
Example Question #825 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
AMIABLE
Friendly
Pious
Responsive
Ambivalent
Friendly
The word "amiable" means having a friendly and pleasant disposition; therefore, "friendly" is the word that most closely matches the definition of "amiable." "Ambivalent" means having mixed feelings and "pious" means extremely religious. Like "responsive," their definitions are unrelated to the meaning of "amiable," making them incorrect answers choices.
Example Question #46 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
BARBARIC
Uneducated
Civil
Ancient
Cruel
Cruel
You likely know of the word "barbaric" by association with "barbarous" (a direct synonym) or "barbarian." The latter word, "barbarian," likely conjures up many images of men with horned helmets and other such stereotypes. The word actually comes from an insult used by the Greeks to describe persons who did not speak Greek. They seemed to be uncivilized and uncultured; their language sounded like "bar bar bar."
In any case, the word "barbaric" eventually developed to describe the cruel behavior attributed to such people. Thus, a number of words like cruel, savage, and vicious all are synonyms. Likewise, the word "barbaric" is at times used to describe someone who is uncivilized. However, note that being "uneducated" is not exactly the same as being uncivilized. Someone can be generally civilized and able to function in society and still be uneducated. Therefore, the best answer among those provided is "cruel."
Example Question #47 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
PERSISTENT
Studious
Determined
Attentive
Annoying
Greedy
Determined
When we "persist" in something, we keep doing it even though it is difficult. Someone who is "persistent" is a person who continues to work on something no matter what problems or difficulties arise. Persistence is the character trait of such a person. For instance, we would say, "With much persistence, Paul finally finished his long paper and was able to graduate." Although a studious person is persistent in studying, the word "studious" is too particular and really just deals with one type of persistence. The only option that matches the meaning of "persistence" generally speaking is "determined." When we are "determined" in our goals, we have set one goal and "stick to it" until it is completed.
All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
