ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #78 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

ASSERTIVE

Possible Answers:

Confident

Illegal

Aware

Conceited

Arrogant

Correct answer:

Confident

Explanation:

When someone is "assertive," he or she is very confident. This can come off as being arrogant because such a person can be a little pushy, but the primary meaning of assertiveness is the character trait of being confident. Therefore, the best option is simply "confident." Do not be tricked by "conceited" or "arrogant". These are trap options!

Example Question #79 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

ATTENTIVE

Possible Answers:

Pliable

Intellectual

Thoughtful

Awake

Delightful

Correct answer:

Thoughtful

Explanation:

When someone is "attentive," he or she is very aware of his or her surroundings. Therefore, "attentive" can mean merely to be very aware. None of the options exactly match this meaning, but a secondary meaning of "attentive" is "to be thoughtfully aware of others." This is clearly related to the first meaning, though it is a little more focused. Therefore, the best option is "thoughtful," as this expresses at least the second meaning of "attentive."

Example Question #80 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

RESPONSIBLE

Possible Answers:

Aged

Unemotional

Targeted

Mature

Known

Correct answer:

Mature

Explanation:

The word "responsible" can mean guilty, as when we say, "He was responsible for the crime." Someone can also be "responsible for himself or herself." Whenever we grow up, we become more "responsible," meaning that people can rely on us to do what we say we are going to do. An immature person is not yet responsible. A mature person is. Hence, "mature" is good synonym for "responsible." This has nothing to do with age. It has everything to do with a good character. You're only young once, but you can immature forever!

Example Question #81 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

MEEK

Possible Answers:

Shrinking

Secretive

Small

Humble

Feeble

Correct answer:

Humble

Explanation:

Whenever someone is "meek" he or she has a very kind and quiet personality. This kind of person can be afraid to assert himself or herself. A decent synonym for "meek" is "humble." A humble person is someone who does not think too highly of himself or herself.

Example Question #82 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

ASSERTIVE

Possible Answers:

Respectable

Successful

Elegant

Delightful

Confident

Correct answer:

Confident

Explanation:

Whenever someone is "assertive," he or she could be described as being pushy. The verb "assert" means to declare or to insist. An "assertive" person is usually pretty confident. This can seem "arrogant," but he or she might just be very certain of himself or herself. Thus, the best option among those given is "confident".

Example Question #83 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

DISTRACTED

Possible Answers:

Preoccupied

Foolish

Hardened

Attentive

Peaceful

Correct answer:

Preoccupied

Explanation:

When someone is "distracted," he or she does not have his or her attention on whatever is happening at that very moment. The word "preoccupied" describes someone who has his or her attention totally absorbed by something. For instance, you might become preoccupied with working on a project. When you are preoccupied in this way, you are distracted from everything else and cannot pay attention to anything else.

Example Question #84 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

JOVIAL

Possible Answers:

Intricate

Amazing

Foolish

Sociable

Devoted

Correct answer:

Sociable

Explanation:

Whenever someone is "jovial," he or she has a happy temperament. Often, the word "jovial" can be used to describe someone who is both happy and friendly. Therefore, among the options provided here, the word "sociable" is fine. A person who is jovial company is very sociable and gets along with people in a group.

Example Question #85 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

BOISTEROUS 

Possible Answers:

Authentic

Tired

Tearful

Rowdy

Imaginary

Correct answer:

Rowdy

Explanation:

"Boisterous" means very active and noisy in a lively way, therefore the best word with the closest meaning would be "rowdy."

Example Question #869 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TOXIC

Possible Answers:

Dumped

Murderous

Defective

Deadly

Trembling

Correct answer:

Deadly

Explanation:

Maybe you have heard of "toxic waste" or "toxic chemicals." The word "toxic" describes something that is not healthy but, instead, is poisonous. This is not the same as being "murderous," but it is the same as being "deadly." "Deadly" things are dangerous and harmful—as are toxic ones. "Toxins" are things that are harmful (or toxic) in this way.

Example Question #870 : Identifying Synonyms

What is a synonym for distinct?

Possible Answers:

angry

foolish

fighting

separate

remote

Correct answer:

separate

Explanation:

Whenever two things are distinct, they are different from each other and cannot be confused with each other.  For example, we could say, "Those two character traits are distinct.  Some people can be angry without turning red."  This means that turning red is something different than being angry.  The best option among those provided is "separate", for this communicates the idea of being two distinct realities.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors