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 #65 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

RESOLUTE

Possible Answers:

Baffling

Just

Unfaltering

Waffling

Loud

Correct answer:

Unfaltering

Explanation:

"Resolute" is an adjective that means "admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "unwavering." "Waffling," then, cannot be the correct answer because "waffling" means "failing to make up one's mind," so "waffling" is an antonym of "resolute," not a synonym. "Unfaltering," however, is an adjective that means "not faltering; steady; resolute." Because "unfaltering" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "resolute," "unfaltering" is the correct answer.

Example Question #66 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

TENACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Courageous

Humble

Argumentative

Passionate

Determined

Correct answer:

Determined

Explanation:

"Tenacious" means determined, or unwilling to give up. Therefore, the word with the closest meaning to "tenacious" is "determined."

Example Question #67 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

STEADFAST

Possible Answers:

Faithful

Frivolous

Nervous

Quick

Talkative

Correct answer:

Faithful

Explanation:

"Steadfast" is an adjective that means firm and unwavering. "Faithful" is the best choice because it means firm in one's loyalty. Considering the other choices, "bent" means physically pressed out of shape,"quick" means done in little time, and "frivolous" means having little importance.

Example Question #68 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

BASHFUL

Possible Answers:

Obliterated

Coy

Jealous

Beautiful

Secret

Correct answer:

Coy

Explanation:

"Bashful" is an adjective that means shy. The best choice is "coy" because it has a similar definition—flirtatiously shy. Considering the other choices, "obliterated" means destroyed, "jealous" means feeling resentment out of desire for another person's success or belongings, "beautiful" means very aesthetically pleasant, and "secret" means known only to one person or few people.

Example Question #69 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

TACITURN

Possible Answers:

Reserved

Limber

Eloquent

Extravagant

Outgoing

Correct answer:

Reserved

Explanation:

“Taciturn” means quiet, reserved, and not saying much, so "reserved" is the correct answer; “outgoing” means loud and sociable; “extravagant” means fancy and expensive; "limber" means able to bend and stretch one's body; and “eloquent” means well-spoken.

Example Question #70 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

BOISTEROUS

Possible Answers:

Lively

Enlightened

Docile

Lax

Stubborn

Correct answer:

Lively

Explanation:

“Boisterous” means loud, full of life, and energetic, so "lively" is the correct answer. “Enlightened” means wiseknowledgeable, or informed about something; “docile” means quiet, peaceful, and non-threatening; “stubborn” means inflexible and not likely to change one’s mind; and “lax” means slack, negligent, and too casual.

Example Question #71 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

MISERLY

Possible Answers:

Dear

Egregious

Parsimonious

Commanding

Magnanimous

Correct answer:

Parsimonious

Explanation:

“Miserly” means not generous with money, which is very similar to the meaning of the word “parsimonious.” “Magnanimous” means generous with money and noble; “egregious” means appalling and horrific; “commanding” means in control; and "dear" means loved by and important to.

Example Question #72 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

IMPRUDENT

Possible Answers:

Distressing

Cogent

Unwise

Operational

Mean

Correct answer:

Unwise

Explanation:

“Imprudent” means not prudent, not wise, or not careful. The prefix "im-" means not, as does the prefix "un-," so the correct answer is “unwise.” As for the other answer choices, "distressing" means causing apprehension and distress, and "operational" means able to be operated or working.

Example Question #72 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

MATERNAL

Possible Answers:

Familial

Neighborly

Fatherly

Brotherly

Motherly

Correct answer:

Motherly

Explanation:

"Mater" is the Latin word for mother, so it makes sense that "maternal" describes a woman who has motherly qualities and acts like the popular idea of how a mother should act. "Motherly" is thus the correct answer.

Example Question #74 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

VOCIFEROUS

Possible Answers:

Loud

Violent

Angry

Rustic

Frustrated

Correct answer:

Loud

Explanation:

"Vociferous" is an adjective describing someone or something "characterized by noisy and determined shouting." Frustrated, angry, and violent all have a negative connotation to them, which vociferous does not. And rustic simply means natural, or wooded, so that describes more of a physical quality than an audible one. Loud is the best answer. Hint: the root of "vociferous" looks a lot like "voice."

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