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 #21 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

CONTRARY

Possible Answers:

Similar

Composite

Canary

Contradictory

Different

Correct answer:

Contradictory

Explanation:

"Contrary" is defined as opposite in nature. "Contradictory" is defined as asserting the opposite. Therefore, the two words are synonyms. 

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

CONTRARY

Possible Answers:

Constant

Outrage

Opposite

Distraught

Complimentary

Correct answer:

Opposite

Explanation:

"Contrary" means opposite of, so "opposite" is the synonym. 

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

COMPATIBLE

Possible Answers:

Well-spoken 

Comparative

Poorly-expressed 

Poorly-matched 

Well-matched 

Correct answer:

Well-matched 

Explanation:

"Compatible" means well-matched; two things that are compatible go well together. So, "well-matched" is the correct answer.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

CONGRUENT

Possible Answers:

Compatible

Hardworking

Denied

Paired

Correct answer:

Compatible

Explanation:

The word "congruent" means agreeable or compatible. The best choice is "compatible" because it shares the same definition as "congruent." Considering the other choices, "paired" means put together in a pair, "hardworking" means dedicated, and "denied" means rejected.

Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

OBTUSE

Possible Answers:

Angry 

Unintelligent 

Obtrusive

Rude

Correct answer:

Unintelligent 

Explanation:

"Obtuse" is an adjective that means lacking mental acuity. Someone who is "unintelligent" is not very bright, and hence lacks mental acuity. Therefore, unintelligent is the correct answer. The other answer choices, "obtrusive," "rude," and "angry" do not mean this: "obtrusive" means conspicuous or getting in the way; "rude" means impolite or crass; and "angry" means irate or mad.

Example Question #25 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

exhilarating

Possible Answers:

numbing

illuminating

tedious

thrilling

interesting

Correct answer:

thrilling

Explanation:

"Exhilarating" is an adjective that means "making one feel very happy, animated or elated." Tedious is an antonym, it has the opposite meaning, which is boring. Illuminating and interesting both sound similar to exhilarating, but they refer to growing lighter and gaining or seeking information. And when one is happy, animated or elated, one is not usually numb, but feels everything. So "thrilling" is the best answer, as it refers to happiness and excitement. 

Example Question #26 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

A synonym of "inveterate" is __________.

Possible Answers:

incurable

pointless

marginal

angry

ignored

Correct answer:

incurable

Explanation:

"Inveterate" is an adjective that means either "having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change," or when describing such a feeling or habit, "long-established and unlikely to change." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "unlikely to change." "Incurable," an adjective that when used of a person or behavior can mean "unable to be changed," is the answer choice closest in meaning to "inveterate," so "incurable" is the correct answer.

Example Question #27 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

CONTAMINATED

Possible Answers:

Forced 

Measured

Prohibited

Forbidden 

Infected

Correct answer:

Infected

Explanation:

“Contaminated” means infected with something. To provide further help, “prohibited” and "forbidden" are synonyms and both mean banned; “forced” means made to do something; “measured,” in the context of this question, means deliberate and careful.

Example Question #28 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

A synonym of "conventional" is __________.

Possible Answers:

perceptive

moving

unusual

standard

novel

Correct answer:

standard

Explanation:

"Conventional" is an adjective meaning "used and accepted by most people: usual or traditional," "of a kind that has been around for a long time and is considered to be usual or typical," or "common and ordinary: not unusual." So, we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "usual" or "ordinary." "Novel" and "unusual" are antonyms of "conventional," so neither can be the correct answer, but "standard," when used as an adjective, means "used or accepted as normal or average." Because "standard" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "conventional," "standard" is the correct answer.

Example Question #261 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DISPARATE

Possible Answers:

Insulting

Parrotlike

Unequal

Gregarious

Correct answer:

Unequal

Explanation:

The word "disparate" means unequal. "Unequal" is the best choice because it is a part of the definition of "disparate." Considering the other choices, "parrotlike" means having the qualities of a parrot, "insulting" means causing offense or insult, and "gregarious" means loving the company of others.

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