All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
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
Independent
Insomniac
Autonomous
Vain
Restrained
Vain
"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
Noticeable
Previous
Moving
Loud
Cranky
Cranky
"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
Uncertain
Lively
Reserved
Stagnant
Indifferent
Lively
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
Captivating
Royal
Woeful
Reconsidered
Repellant
Captivating
"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
Brusque
Heroic
Pioneering
Long-winded
Solid
Brusque
"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
Peevish
Uncomplaining
Belligerent
Assenting
Dissenting
Uncomplaining
"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
Rigorous
Belittle
Fake
Striped
Rigorous
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 __________.
nimble
proportionate
insulting
reverential
derelict
reverential
"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
Reckless
Spiteful
Juvenile
Feckless
Domineering
Reckless
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
Hard-working
Dedicated
Mischievous
Feeble
Minor
Hard-working
"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.