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 #52 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

A synonym of "labyrinthine" is __________.

Possible Answers:

careful

meticulous

convoluted

tested

simple

Correct answer:

convoluted

Explanation:

"Labyrinthine" is an adjective that means either "like a labyrinth; irregular and twisting" when describing a network, or "intricate and confusing" when describing a system. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "irregular and twisting" or "intricate and confusing." "Simple," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "simple" is an antonym of "labyrinthine," not a synonym. "Convoluted," however, is an adjective that means "extremely complex and difficult to follow" and is often used of an argument, story, or sentence. Because "convoluted" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "labyrinthine," "convoluted" is the correct answer.

Example Question #53 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

POTENT

Possible Answers:

Prominent

Fragrant

Powerful

Intimidating

Noticeable

Correct answer:

Powerful

Explanation:

"Potent" means powerful or strong, so "powerful" is the synonym. 

Example Question #54 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters. 

FUTILE

Possible Answers:

Despair 

Useful 

Hopeful 

Dreaded

Useless 

Correct answer:

Useless 

Explanation:

"Futile" means useless, meaningless, not going to be successful. To further help you, "dreaded" means feared; "despair" is a feeling of sorrow and hopelessness.

Example Question #55 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters.

FACILE

Possible Answers:

Malicious

Energizing

Challenging

Soporific

Easy

Correct answer:

Easy

Explanation:

The word "facile" means easy, or usually, too easy. To provide further help, "soporific" means sleep-inducing, causing exhaustion; "energizing" means gives energy; "malicious" means spiteful, intending to cause harm. To provide further assistance, "soporific" and "energizing" are antonyms of one another, just like "facile" and "challenging" are antonyms of one another. Synonyms are two words that have the same meaning and antonyms are two words that have different meanings.

Example Question #56 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

ANEMIC

Possible Answers:

feeble

erudite

strong

robust

eloquent

Correct answer:

feeble

Explanation:

“Anemic” means weak or feeble. The prefix a- means not or without, as evidenced in “anemic,” which means without strength, or “atheist,” which means without religion, without belief. To provide further help, “robust” means strong and reliable; “eloquent” means well-spoken; “erudite” means intelligent and well-read

Example Question #57 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

ULTIMATE

Possible Answers:

Utmost

Trivial

Worst

Helpless

Correct answer:

Utmost

Explanation:

"Ultimate" is an adjective meaning maximum, farthest, or greatest. So the answer choice closest in meaning is "utmost," an adjective meaning greatest, highest, or most. Considering the other answer choices, "worst" is the antonym of "ultimate" and an adjective meaning bad or faulty, "helpless" is an adjective meaning weak or dependent, and "trivial" is an adjective meaning of very little importance.

Example Question #58 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

FACILE

Possible Answers:

Banal 

Terrific 

Abhorrent

Grotesque 

Simplistic

Correct answer:

Simplistic

Explanation:

The word “facile” means very simple or easy. This is closest in meaning to “simplistic,” which means very simple. To provide further help, “abhorrent” means grotesque, horrific; “grotesque” means horrifying and repulsive; “banal” means boring or ordinary

Example Question #59 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

BENIGN

Possible Answers:

Kind

Mercy

Harmless

Harsh

Correct answer:

Harmless

Explanation:

The word "benign" means harmless. The best choice is "harmless" because it is a part of the definition of "benign."

Example Question #59 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

ORNATE

Possible Answers:

Plain

Empty

Decorated

Full

Correct answer:

Decorated

Explanation:

"Ornate" is an adjective that means elaborate, so the answer choice closest in meaning to "ornate" is "decorated," an adjective meaning attractive or ornamental. Considering the other answer choices, none are close in meaning to "ornate": "plain" means clear; "empty" means vacant or not containing anything; and "full" means complete or containing as much as a container can.

Example Question #291 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

INTRICATE

Possible Answers:

Intimate

Mysterious

Complex

Sneaky

Misleading

Correct answer:

Complex

Explanation:

"Intricate" means complicated or complex, so "complex" is the correct answer. 

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