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 #231 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PIOUS

Possible Answers:

Exquisite

Posh

Moral

Dignified

Devout

Correct answer:

Devout

Explanation:

Generally speaking, we use the word "pious" to refer to someone who is religious in a devoted way. In the past, the word used to deal with someone's respect for his or her parents, though this use is much rarer today. Sometimes, "pious" is used to describe someone who is showy with his or her religiousness, though is actually quite nasty and immoral. In this question, however, the only acceptable option is "devout."

Example Question #232 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

UNWAVERING

Possible Answers:

Arrogant

Subjective

Steadfast

Pompous

Melodramatic

Correct answer:

Steadfast

Explanation:

Whenever something "wavers," it sways from side to side. If "waver" when you walk, you don't walk a linear path, but instead move from side to side as you proceed forward, winding back and forth.

Whenever we describe someone as being "unwavering," we are saying that he or she is unchanging. This person does not go off the side of the path that has been chosen. Such a person is devoted to what he or she is doing. Hence, "steadfast" is an excellent synonym. It means standing steadily in the sense of meaning unchanging and devoted.

Example Question #233 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

AGGRESSIVE

Possible Answers:

Antisocial

Assertive

Enraged

Angry

Distinguished

Correct answer:

Assertive

Explanation:

Likely, you know the word "aggressive" in some manner. An "aggressive" person is pushy and generally pretty combative. He or she really does a lot to get his or her way. Aggressive people are not much fun to be around (at least most of the time). So, it's tempting to say that the word means "angry," "enraged," or even "antisocial"; however, being aggressive primarily has to do with being pushy or, as is appropriate given our options for this question, "assertive."

Example Question #234 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

HUMANE

Possible Answers:

Advanced

Fortuitous

Liberal

Understanding

Wise

Correct answer:

Understanding

Explanation:

The word "humane" is related to the word "human." In a way, it means acting in a way that befits a true and good human person. Thus, a "humane" person is someone who is understanding and compassionate, not mean and rude. The only option that expresses this general meaning is "understanding." A number of the other options try to trick you by getting you to pick a word that hints at the fact that human beings are very developed creatures. Do not be tricked by these!

Example Question #235 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Humans are born with the ________________ ability to learn languages; babies do not need formal training on how to recognize words from speech.

Possible Answers:

Superb

Innate

Strange

Superb

Innate

Correct answer:

Innate

Explanation:

The definition of "innate" is possessed at birth or a natural trait. Therefore, the sentence provides the necessary clue for the missing word where it states "babies do not need formal training." The other answer choices do not match this definition.

Example Question #236 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

FRUGAL

Possible Answers:

Gargantuan

Thrifty

Sincere

Fearless

Fake

Correct answer:

Thrifty

Explanation:

"Frugal" means "thrifty" or economical. The other answer choices here do not relate to money or other expenses.

Example Question #237 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

GULLIBLE

Possible Answers:

Amusing

Exploitable

Foolish

Idiotic

Credible

Correct answer:

Exploitable

Explanation:

Whenever someone is "gullible," he or she will believe just about anything whatsoever. You can easily "use" or exploit a person who is like this. That is, a gullible person can be tricked for you to gain an advantage over him or her (if you wanted to, at least).  A more standard synonym for "gullible" is "naive," though this is not an option among those provided.

Example Question #238 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

EXQUISITE

Possible Answers:

Foreboding

Lovely

Expensive

Magnetic

Candid

Correct answer:

Lovely

Explanation:

“Exquisite” means ornate, dainty, and beautiful, so "lovely" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “candid” means blunt and honest; “magnetic” means attractive; “foreboding” means suggesting something bad will happen soon in the future; and "expensive" means financially costly.

Example Question #239 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

IMMINENT

Possible Answers:

Lavish

Incipient

Fortunate

Looming

Gracious

Correct answer:

Looming

Explanation:

“Imminent” means occurring soon, making "looming" the best answer choice. As for the other answer choices, "lavish" means luxurious; "incipient" means just having begun or developing; "fortunate" means lucky; and "gracious" means thankful and polite.

Example Question #240 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

A synonym of "toxic" is __________.

Possible Answers:

prepared

complete

poisonous

industrial

fulsome

Correct answer:

poisonous

Explanation:

"Toxic" is an adjective that means "causing or capable of causing death or illness if taken into the body" when used of a plant or substance, "producing poison as a means of attacking enemies or prey" when describing an animal or insect, or "extremely unpleasant or malicious." While "fulsome" might look like a good answer choice, "fulsome" actually means "complimentary or flattering to an excessive degree" or "of large size or quantity; generous or abundant," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Poisonous" however, is a synonym of "toxic," so "poisonous" is the correct answer.

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