ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives and Adverbs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #55 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

CONCEITED

Possible Answers:

Independent

Insomniac

Autonomous

Vain

Restrained

Correct answer:

Vain

Explanation:

"Conceited" means too obsessed with oneself; being proud, vain, and arrogant. To provide further guidance, an "insomniac" is someone who has difficulty getting to sleep; "autonomous" and "independent" both describe someone or something that is in charge of itself, and the two words are synonyms of one another; "restrained" means held back, tied down.

Example Question #52 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

PEEVISH

Possible Answers:

Noticeable

Previous

Moving

Loud

Cranky

Correct answer:

Cranky

Explanation:

"Peevish" is an adjective that means "easily irritated, especially by unimportant things," or "feeling or showing irritation." While someone who is peevish might also be loud, "loud" does not mean the same thing as "peevish," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Cranky," however, means "ill-tempered; irritable," so "cranky" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "peevish."

Example Question #53 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

RAMBUNCTIOUS

Possible Answers:

Uncertain

Lively

Reserved

Stagnant

Indifferent

Correct answer:

Lively

Explanation:

Someone who is "rambunctious" is very enthusiastic and lively, to the point of also being disorderly.

Example Question #151 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

CHARISMATIC

Possible Answers:

Captivating

Royal

Woeful

Reconsidered

Repellant

Correct answer:

Captivating

Explanation:

"Charismatic" is an adjective that means "exercising a compelling charm that inspires devotion in others." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "compelling." "Repellant," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "repellant" is an antonym of "compelling," not a synonym. "Captivating," however, is an adjective that means "capable of attracting and holding interest; charming," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "charismatic," "captivating" is the correct answer.

Example Question #152 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

TERSE

Possible Answers:

Brusque

Heroic

Pioneering

Long-winded

Solid

Correct answer:

Brusque

Explanation:

"Terse" is an adjective that means "sparing in the use of words; abrupt," so we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "abrupt." So, "long-winded" cannot be the correct answer, because "long-winded" is an adjective used of speech or writing that means "continuing at length and in a tedious way," making the word an antonym, not a synonym, of "terse." "Brusque," however, means "abrupt or offhand in speech or manner," and because "brusque" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "terse," "brusque" is the correct answer.

Example Question #153 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

STOIC

Possible Answers:

Peevish

Uncomplaining

Belligerent

Assenting

Dissenting

Correct answer:

Uncomplaining

Explanation:

"Stoic," when used as an adjective, means "enduring pain and hardship without showing one's feelings or complaining." So, we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "enduring hardship without complaining." So, that means that "peevish" cannot be the correct answer, because "peevish" means "easily irritated, especially by unimportant things," making "peevish" an antonym, not a synonym, of "stoic." "Uncomplaining," however, is an adjective that means "not complaining; resigned," and because "uncomplaining" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "stoic," "uncomplaining" is the correct answer.

Example Question #61 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

STRINGENT

Possible Answers:

Rigorous

Belittle

Fake

Striped

Correct answer:

Rigorous

Explanation:

The word "stringent" means strict or severe. The best choice is "rigorous," as it also means severe. Considering the other choices, "striped" means having stripes, "fake" means not real, and "belittle" is a verb that means portray as less important or impressive.

Example Question #62 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

A synonym of "deferential" is __________.

Possible Answers:

nimble

proportionate

insulting

reverential

derelict

Correct answer:

reverential

Explanation:

"Deferential" is an adjective that means "showing deference; respectful," so we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "respectful." So, "insulting" cannot be the correct answer, because "insulting" is an adjective that means "disrespectful or scornfully abusive," making the word an antonym, not a synonym, of "deferential." "Reverential," however, means "of the nature of, due to, or characterized by reverence," where "reverence" is a noun meaning "deep respect for someone or something." Because "reverential" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "deferential," "reverential" is the correct answer.

Example Question #63 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

IMPETUOUS

Possible Answers:

Reckless

Spiteful

Juvenile

Feckless 

Domineering 

Correct answer:

Reckless

Explanation:

Someone who is “impetuous” is rude and reckless. To provide further help, “reckless” means not careful; “spiteful” means cruel and desiring revenge; “domineering” means accustomed to taking charge; “juvenile” means immature.

Example Question #64 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

INDUSTRIOUS

Possible Answers:

Hard-working

Dedicated

Mischievous

Feeble

Minor

Correct answer:

Hard-working

Explanation:

"Industrious" means hard-working or diligent, so "hard-working" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "industrious": "feeble" means weak or fragile; "mischievous" describes a person that is often in trouble; "minor" means relatively unimportant; and "dedicated" means focused or willing to put a lot of time and energy into some activity.

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