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 #301 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

FLORID

Possible Answers:

Ornate

Verdant

Avoidable

Passionate

Fortunate

Correct answer:

Ornate

Explanation:

"Florid" is an adjective that either means reddish or more complicated than is necessary, so "ornate" is the correct answer. "Verdant" (lush and green) may look like a potentially correct answer because "florid" does derive from the Latin for "flower"; however, the modern meaning of "florid" does not have to do with flowers, so "verdant" is not the correct answer.

Example Question #302 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

COLOSSAL

Possible Answers:

Serendipitous 

Tiny 

Immense 

Circumstantial

Miniscule 

Correct answer:

Immense 

Explanation:

"Colossal" means very big, so the correct answer is “immense,” which means huge or severe. To further help you, "miniscule" is a synonym of tiny and is the origin of the word “mini;” "serendipitous" means unexpected good fortune; "circumstantial" means incidental or owed to specific circumstances.

Example Question #301 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

MINUSCULE

Possible Answers:

Nimble

Tiny

Vast

Corrupt

Predictable

Correct answer:

Tiny

Explanation:

"Minuscule" means very small, so "tiny" is the best match. "Vast" usually refers to areas of land or bodies of water and means very wide, so it is an antonym, or opposite, of "minuscule."

Example Question #304 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

DORMANT

Possible Answers:

Energetic

Deplorable

Asleep

Exhausted

Domesticated

Correct answer:

Asleep

Explanation:

“Dormant” means asleep or in a period of inactivity, so "quiescent" is the correct answer, as "quiescent" means dormant or inactive. As for the other answer choices, “energetic” means full of energy; “domestic” means having to do with the home or tamed and not wild; “deplorable” means heinous and inexcusable; and “exhausted” means very tired or used up.

Example Question #305 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ANCILLARY

Possible Answers:

Docile

Supplementary

Toxic

Angular

Complementary

Correct answer:

Supplementary

Explanation:

“Ancillary” means not necessary but supporting or helping the main part of something. This is identical in meaning to the word “supplementary.” As for the other answer choices, “complementary” means working well with something or provided for free; “toxic” means poisonous; “docile” means quiet and easily controlled; and "angular" means containing many angles instead of curves.

Example Question #306 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

APT

Possible Answers:

Explicable

Jarring

Dull

Appropriate

Applicable

Correct answer:

Appropriate

Explanation:

“Apt” means appropriate, right, and correct for a given situation, so "appropriate" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “applicable” means able to be applied or related to a situation or circumstance; “explicable” means able to be explained; "jarring" means sudden and shocking or rattling and jolting; and "dull" means blunt and not sharp or boring.

Example Question #302 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

AMBIGUOUS

Possible Answers:

Argumentative

Mammalian

Dexterous

Able

Imprecise

Correct answer:

Imprecise

Explanation:

When something is ambiguous, it is not distinct. For example, someone might shrug his or her shoulders. This action may indicate either not caring or meaning that the person is okay with what was said (or perhaps something entirely different). Such a gesture is thus said to be "ambiguous," for its meaning can go many different ways. (The word comes from roots that mean driving or going both ways at once. You might know the ambi- prefix, which means both. It is related to the word ambidextrous, which means using both hands ably.) Thus, the best option among those provided is imprecise. When something is "precise," it is exact. The "im-" prefix here is what is called a "privitive prefix." It is a prefix that means not. Therefore, "imprecise" means not precise—quite like being ambiguous!

Example Question #308 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

COVERT

Possible Answers:

Undercover

Visible

Blanket

Denied

Attitude

Correct answer:

Undercover

Explanation:

"Covert" means hidden or undercover. Spies often go on covert operations which means that it is a secret operation. "Visible" means able to be seen. "Blanket" is a concrete noun referring to a cloth object used as a cover for warmth. "

Example Question #309 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

INTENTIONAL

Possible Answers:

Deliberate

Blurry

Indeterminate

Relatable

Ambiguous

Correct answer:

Deliberate

Explanation:

Look at your answer choices--how would you categorize the words? "Indeterminate," "ambiguous," and "blurry" all refer to something that is not easily known, understood, or perceived. "Relatable" means that you can easily relate to or connect with that that person or thing. "Deliberate" means that there is a clear intention to the action described; in other words, it is "intentional."

Example Question #303 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PAINSTAKING

Possible Answers:

Helpless

Careless

Helpful

Careful

Hapless

Correct answer:

Careful

Explanation:

"Painstaking" means done with great care and patience, meticulous and careful. To provide further help, "hapless" means hopeless, unfortunate, unlucky

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