All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #125 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OVERBEARING
Vogue
Dominating
Caustic
Undocumented
Illustrious
Dominating
Someone who is "overbearing" is arrogantly dismissive of other's viewpoints, dominating and bullying. To provide further help, "illustrious" means acclaimed, well regarded, highly-praised; "undocumented" means not recorded, not written down; "vogue" means popular, fashionable; "caustic" means sarcastic and bitter.
Example Question #126 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRODIGAL
Lawful
Scornful
Dreadful
Wasteful
Harmful
Wasteful
"Prodigal" means wasteful, spending money needlessly and wastefully. To provide further help, "lawful" means within the law; "dreadful" means terrible; "scornful" means mocking, contemptuous, expressing dislike; "harmful" means causing harm, not helpful.
Example Question #127 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CANDID
Deceptive
Loud
Obnoxious
Truthful
Angry
Truthful
Whenever someone is "candid," he or she is honest. Whenever someone has a "candid" personality trait, we say that he or she has candor. These words actually come from the Latin for white. Whenever we are honest or candid, we do not "color over" the truth. We just speak the truth honestly (often bluntly and directly). Thus, the best option for this question is "truthful."
Example Question #128 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ASTUTE
Detailed
Reflective
Insightful
Careful
Scholarly
Insightful
Perhaps you have heard the expression "an astute observation. "For example, someone might say, "The teacher was impressed by the astute observation made by Susan. Her remark was insightful and intelligent." Whenever we are astute, we are able to understand a situation or topic quickly and ably. Often, we are able to use that knowledge to our own advantage. For this question, however, we do not need to worry about this second part of the meaning. The only option that expresses a synonym for astute is "insightful." Even if someone is reflective, this is not the same as being insightful. A reflective person is someone who can think about things deeply. Often reflective people can be astute, but the word "reflective" is not as good of a synonym for "astute" as is "insightful."
Example Question #129 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CHARMING
Wealthy
Pleasing
Complete
Beautiful
Grateful
Pleasing
Whenever someone is "charming," we like to be in his or her presence. A "charming" attitude or demeanor is one that is pleasant and likeable. When we are "charmed" by something, we are "pleased" by that thing (and often desire to have it). Thus, the best option among those provided is "pleasing." Whenever someone says, "He is a very charming person," he or she likely means, "He is very pleasing to be around."
Example Question #130 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OBNOXIOUS
Immoral
Stupid
Foolish
Horrible
Illegal
Horrible
The word "obnoxious" is related to the word "noxious." Whenever there are "noxious" vapors in an area, these vapors are unpleasant in odor and perhaps even dangerous. A person who has an "obnoxious" personality is annoying and displeasing to be around. Indeed, such a person can really be horrible company, and that is the sense implied in this question. We tend to think of foolish people as being obnoxious; however, this does not mean that these two words are synonymous with each other. Instead, the foolishness is the cause of the person's being obnoxious. Hence, the only option that really expresses the idea of being unpleasant is "horrible."
Example Question #131 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DERANGED
Intriguing
Harmful
Irrational
Surprised
Disorganized
Irrational
The word "deranged" is a very strong adjective for describing something that we think is "totally crazy." Thus, the best option will express this idea of being insane. The only option that does so is "irrational," which means totally unreasonable. For example, you could say, "He was so deranged that he thought he could swim in the lava to save the diamond." This means that the person was so irrational that he thought it was a reasonable thing to save the diamond in this manner.
Example Question #132 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
JOVIAL
Sociable
Frightening
Plump
Delicious
Deranged
Sociable
Whenever someone is "jovial," he or she is very friendly or genial. Such a person is likely very enjoyable company when at a social gathering. It is for this reason that the word "jovial" can have the word "sociable" as a possible synonym. A "sociable" person is likely friendly and very good at interacting with others.
Example Question #133 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MELODRAMATIC
Overdone
Performed
Disturbed
Annoying
Intrigued
Overdone
The word "melodramatic" describes someone or something that is overstated in its character. As regards people, a melodramatic person is basically someone who has a dramatic or overstated personality. Thus, the word "overdone" is a fine enough synonym for describing such a person.
Example Question #134 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OBLIVIOUS
Disappointed
Foolish
Vapid
Insane
Unobservant
Unobservant
Whenever someone is "oblivious," he or she is completely unaware of things. The word is related to "oblivion," which means nothingness. It is like the oblivious person's awareness is filled with nothingness—instead of actual awareness of his or her surroundings! Therefore, we can say, "Henry was so oblivious of his surroundings, that he walked into a wall without even noticing it."
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All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
