ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Lower Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #66 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

GRACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Rude

Impotent

Potent

Polite

Sociable

Correct answer:

Polite

Explanation:

The word "gracious" is used to describe someone who is polite. Often it is used to describe someone who is polite in victory or defeat, someone who is friendly after the end of a competition. To provide further help, "sociable" means talkative, friendly; "potent" means powerful and "impotent" means not powerful. Notice the impact of the prefix im-

Example Question #67 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

DEVOTED

Possible Answers:

Loyal

Forgotten

Friendly

Regular

Religious

Correct answer:

Loyal

Explanation:

A devoted person is someone who is loyal and caring.  The verb "to devote" is used to describe spending one's time on a given task. For example, we could say, "He devoted many hours to helping his mother bake cookies for Christmas."  The adjective "devoted" expresses some of this same sense of "being involved;" however, it takes on the idea of being loyal. Thus, we would say something like, "He was a devoted friend, always ready to help in even the most difficult of times."

Example Question #68 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

SUSPICIOUS

Possible Answers:

Questionable

Illegal

Evil

Imprisoned

Dangerous

Correct answer:

Questionable

Explanation:

The word "suspicious" has many negative meanings associated with it. In general, "suspicious activity" is activity that is in some way questionable and not good. It indicates that some kind of secrecy is going on. You might be tempted to pick many of the options that have such bad overtones. Suspicious activity is not, however, essentially illegal activity. Instead, it is just "questionable." For example, you could say, "His explanation was suspicious, so his mother decided to check into the matter further."

Example Question #71 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

RATIONAL

Possible Answers:

Genius

Logical

Humane

Talented

Angry

Correct answer:

Logical

Explanation:

The word "rational" comes from the Latin roots meaning able to reason. Reasoning is just the manner of thinking that we do when we think logically. For example, you might think: "I generally hate any kind of oatmeal. This food is oatmeal. Well, therefore, I likely will hate this food." This is a rational or logical way of thinking.

Example Question #72 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

IMMATURE

Possible Answers:

Stupid

Developed

Childish

Responsible

Aged

Correct answer:

Childish

Explanation:

When something is "mature," it is fully developed. Sometimes, the word is used to describe food that has become ripe; however, it can also be used to describe someone's personality. For example, a mature adult is someone who takes life seriously, as is appropriate for someone of his or her age. An immature person is someone who is not mature. Thus, the best option among those provided here is "childish."

Example Question #73 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

RELUCTANT

Possible Answers:

Silent

Hesitant

Brave

Thoughtful

Alert

Correct answer:

Hesitant

Explanation:

When someone is "reluctant," he or she hesitates to do some given task. For example, we could say, "Because of her fear of spiders, Courtney was reluctant to enter the old house for fear of finding many of the insects in it." This means that Courtney did not want to enter the house and likely hesitated because of her fears.

Example Question #74 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

INSANE

Possible Answers:

Disappointing

Imprisoned

Sick

Hospitalized

Crazy

Correct answer:

Crazy

Explanation:

The word "insane" is used to describe someone or something that is crazy. For instance, a person who has lost his or her mind would be called "insane". Such a person requires a lot of care to keep himself or herself safe. An "insane idea" is a crazy one. For example, if someone told you that they were going to try to use a pig as a parachute when jumping out of a plane, you could say that the person had an "insane idea." 

Example Question #75 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

AGREEABLE

Possible Answers:

Argumentative

Friendly

Talented

Legal

Joyful

Correct answer:

Friendly

Explanation:

When we say that something is "agreeable," we are saying that it is enjoyable (or at least not unenjoyable). For this question, the correct answer is a synonym for the way that we say something like, "He had an agreeable personality."  This means that the person had a personality that was on the whole friendly and enjoyable. In a way, you could say that most people would agree to be around such a person!

Example Question #76 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

FANATICAL

Possible Answers:

Famous

Dreary

Dangerous

Enthusiastic

Risky

Correct answer:

Enthusiastic

Explanation:

When someone is a "fanatic," he or she intensely follows some way of life. For example, a person might be a fanatic for exercise, meaning that he or she does a lot of exercising. Sometimes, fanatics are dangerous people, as when someone supports a political cause and wants to hurt people; however, "fanatical" does not always have to describe such dangerous characters. It can just describe someone who is very energetic—enthusiastic—for a cause. This is the best answer among those given.

Example Question #77 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

TENDER

Possible Answers:

Angry

Burning

Kind

Religious

Pleasing

Correct answer:

Kind

Explanation:

The word "tender" is not "tinder," which is a small kind of wood used for building a fire. Instead, to be "tender" means that you are kind. You could say, "Bill was very tender to his wife, showing her much affection after a stressful day of work."  Thus, "kind" is the best option given.

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