All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
RESEMBLE
Appear
Consider
Observe
Tolerate
Mirror
Mirror
Something that "resembles" something else looks like it. The other answer choices mean the following: "tolerate" means allow; "consider" means think about; and "appear" means look a certain way on the surface, often different from how someone or something really is. (For example, someone might say, "Although those flowers may appear harmless, do not touch them: they are poisonous.")
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adverbs
Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
PERIODICALLY
Frequently
Occasionally
Rarely
Always
Occasionally
When something occurs "periodically," it occurs regularly in a given period of time. For instance, the periodic swinging of a pendulum is the time that it takes for it to swing back and forth. Likewise, the occurrence of a full moon occurs periodically—according to a fixed period of the moon's orbiting around the earth. By itself, the word "periodically" does not indicate whether or not something occurs frequently, quickly, or rarely. It merely indicates that something happens at regular intervals.
The word "occasionally" is an adverb that could be rewritten, on occasion or on a given occasion. The implication is that it describes something that happens sometimes but not always. It does not necessarily state that it occurs rarely. Likewise, it is not proper to use "occasionally" to indicate that you do something frequently. You wouldn't say, "I occasionally eat asparagus," but actually mean that you eat it every day of the year. To indicate that you eat it every day of the year, you would say, "I always eat asparagus." To say "occasionally" is to indicate that the activity being described is sporadic—now and then, on occasion.
Example Question #13 : Synonyms
Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.
Annually
Monthly
Yearly
Weekly
Daily
Hourly
Yearly
Annually means every year or yearly.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SELDOM
Often
Rarely
Spontaneously
Potentially
Immediately
Rarely
"Seldom" is an adverb that means not happening often. The best choice is "rarely" because it means infrequently and is a synonym of "seldom." Something that seldom happens rarely happens.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Michelle has been unable to commit herself to a regular exercise regime, and instead exercises very __________.
quickly
unsurely
sporadically
fairly
intently
sporadically
Given that Michelle has not been able to commit to a regular exercise regime, the best answer is a word that describes irregularity. "Sporadically" means to do something at inconsistent intervals. Therefore, "sporadically" is the word that best fits the sentence.
Example Question #16 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
NATURALLY
Angrily
Temporarily
Genuinely
Slyly
Quickly
Genuinely
The word "natural" comes from roots related to birth. Something that is "natural" is inborn. Thus, if someone has a naturally happy attitude, that person is happy in an unreflective way. He or she just "is happy"—as though he or she was born that way. The word has taken on the meaning "genuinely" because such a natural disposition is not something that is faked.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INSTANTANEOUSLY
Devotedly
Figuratively
Regularly
Immediately
Helpfully
Immediately
An "instant" is a very short period of time. Whenever something happens in a very short time, it happens "instantaneously." This means that it happens almost immediately.
Example Question #11 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INTERIOR
Amplified
Inside
Pensive
Complete
Outgoing
Inside
The prefix "in-" here means inside, so the word “interior” means having to do with or located inside of something, making "inside" the correct answer.
Example Question #12 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EXTRACT
Remove
Persuade
Inter
Expect
Applaud
Remove
The prefix "ex-" can mean out, so it makes sense that "extract" means pull out of someone or something. For example, if one of your teeth became infected, you would probably have a dentist extract the infected tooth—that is, pull it out. Just because "expect" and "extract" both begin with "ex-" doesn't mean they are synonyms—in "expect," the "ex-" isn't functioning to mean out; it just intensifies another root's meaning. (To "inter" something or someone is to bury that thing or person.)
Example Question #13 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IRRESPONSIBLE
Mature
Immense
Immature
Miniature
Gigantic
Immature
The prefixes "ir-" and "im-" mean not, so it makes sense that "irresponsible" means not responsible and “immature” means not mature. If you are “responsible,” you are mature and dependable. “Immense” means massive or very large. “Immense” is a synonym of “gigantic,” and an antonym of “miniature.” “Gigantic” means very big and “miniature” means very small.
Certified Tutor
All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
