All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #901 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MURKY
Mighty
Sore
Clear
Intentional
Dark
Dark
Something that is “murky” is dismal and dark, so "dark" is the correct answer. So, water might be “murky” if it were very dirty. “Murky” is also the opposite of “clear,” which means transparent and unclouded. “Sore” means in pain due to overexertion of muscles; “intentional” means done on purpose; and “mighty” means strong.
Example Question #902 : Identifying Synonyms
A synonym of "hardy" is __________.
clear
rugged
expensive
firm
cheap
rugged
"Hardy" is an adjective that means "robust; capable of enduring difficult conditions," or when used of a plant, "able to survive outside during winter." One might assume that "firm" is the best answer because "hardy" contains the word "hard," but "hardy" does not mean the same thing as "hard," so "firm" cannot be the correct answer. One meaning of "rugged," however, is " having or requiring toughness and determination." Because "rugged" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "hardy," "rugged" is the correct answer.
Example Question #903 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: choose the answer closest in meaning to the word in question.
Stout
Fat
Sociable
Intelligent
Athletic
Thin
Fat
"Stout" means fat.
Example Question #904 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
BLUNT
Dull
Tepid
Acute
Significant
Dull
The word "blunt" means not sharp. "Dull" is the best choice because it also means not sharp. Considering the other choices, "acute" means sharp, "tepid" means lukewarm, and "significant" means important.
Example Question #905 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
FRAGILE
Pure
Dangerous
Sturdy
Delicate
Delicate
"Fragile" means easy to damage or break. "Delicate" is the word choice that most closely matches this definition. "Sturdy," which is a synonym of strong, is the opposite of "fragile," and "dangerous" and "pure" are both unrelated words.
Example Question #906 : Identifying Synonyms
A synonym of "corrugated" is __________.
speckled
grooved
bloated
flat
fuzzy
grooved
"Corrugated" is an adjective that refers to a material, surface, or structure and means "shaped into alternate ridges and grooves." So, "flat" cannot be the correct answer because it is an antonym, not a synonym, of "corrugated." "Grooved," however, is an adjective that means "provided with or having a groove or grooves," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "corrugated," it is the correct answer.
Example Question #907 : Identifying Synonyms
A synonym of "durable" is __________.
fragile
hardy
ominous
exact
meager
hardy
"Durable" is an adjective that means "able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage; hard-wearing," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "able to withstand wear." "Fragile" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "fragile" means the opposite of "durable," so it is an antonym, not a synonym, of "durable." "Hardy," however, is an adjective that means "robust; capable of enduring difficult conditions" and because "hardy" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "durable," "hardy" is the correct answer.
Example Question #908 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.
Firm
Light
Colorful
Hard
Thin
Soft
Hard
"Firm" means hard.
Example Question #909 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
VACANT
Empty
Absent
Evacuate
Lively
Empty
"Vacant" means empty. "Empty" is the best choice because it is a part of the definiton for "vacant." Considering the other choices, "lively" means energetic, "absent" means away or missing, and "evacuate" means to leave an area because it is dangerous. "Evacuate" is not as good a choice because it is a verb, while "vacant" is an adjective.
Example Question #910 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
PERMEABLE
Permanent
Sponge
Changing
Porous
Porous
The word "permeable" means full of small holes that let liquids and objects of a certain size pass through. The best answer choice is "porous," which means full of small holes that allow air or liquids to pass through. Considering the other choices, a "sponge" is something that is permeable, "permanent" means lasting forever and unchanging, and "changing" is an antonym of permanent.
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor