All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
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
Baffling
Just
Unfaltering
Waffling
Loud
Unfaltering
"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
Courageous
Humble
Argumentative
Passionate
Determined
Determined
"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
Faithful
Frivolous
Nervous
Quick
Talkative
Faithful
"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
Obliterated
Coy
Jealous
Beautiful
Secret
Coy
"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
Reserved
Limber
Eloquent
Extravagant
Outgoing
Reserved
“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
Lively
Enlightened
Docile
Lax
Stubborn
Lively
“Boisterous” means loud, full of life, and energetic, so "lively" is the correct answer. “Enlightened” means wise, knowledgeable, 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
Dear
Egregious
Parsimonious
Commanding
Magnanimous
Parsimonious
“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
Distressing
Cogent
Unwise
Operational
Mean
Unwise
“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
Familial
Neighborly
Fatherly
Brotherly
Motherly
Motherly
"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
Loud
Violent
Angry
Rustic
Frustrated
Loud
"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."