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 #993 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ACUTE

Possible Answers:

Translucent 

Opaque 

Obtuse 

Transparent 

Sharp 

Correct answer:

Sharp 

Explanation:

“Acute” can be used to describe a person in which case it refers to someone who is sharp-minded or quick-witted, or it can be used to describe an angle in a triangle, in which case it means measuring less than ninety degrees. When an angle is exactly ninety degrees we call it a “right” angle; when it is greater than ninety degrees we call it an “obtuse” angle. Just like how either a person or an angle can be “acute,” so too can a person or an angle be “obtuse." When a person is “obtuse,” we say they are dull-minded or slow-witted, or in other words, not easily understanding things that most other people understand. To provide further help, “transparent” means able to been seen through, “translucent” means partially able to be seen through, and “opaque” means unable to be seen through. The three words are used to describe how light passes through objects. A window is “transparent,” the ocean is “translucent,” and a brick wall is “opaque.”

Example Question #994 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FRANK

Possible Answers:

Emotional 

Confident

Critical 

Determined

Candid

Correct answer:

Candid

Explanation:

"Frank" means honest, upfront, or candid, so "candid" is the synonym. 

Example Question #443 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

CRYPTIC

Possible Answers:

Frightening

Ghostly

Unfortunate

Somber

Mysterious

Correct answer:

Mysterious

Explanation:

“Cryptic” derives from the Greek word for "secret," so it makes sense that it means difficult to understand or having a hidden or secret meaning. "Mysterious" is thus the best answer. “Potent” means strong and powerful and is often used to describe medicine and solutions; “unfortunate” means unlucky, not fortunate; and "ghostly" means like a ghost or spectral; "somber" means severe, serious, and gloomy.

Example Question #444 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

APOCRYPHAL

Possible Answers:

Honest

Succinct

Mythical

Foolish 

Accurate 

Correct answer:

Mythical

Explanation:

An “apocryphal” story is one that is probably not true, but widely believed to be true. This is closest in definition to "mythical." To provide further guidance, "foolish" means not clever, stupid; "succinct" means expressed clearly in as few words as possible; "accurate" means exact, precise, on target.

Example Question #445 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

SALIENT

Possible Answers:

discounted

prominent

different

salty

Correct answer:

prominent

Explanation:

The word "salient" comes from a Latin word meaning to leap. If someone makes a salient point, it's as if that point is leaping out at you, leading to its meaning of prominent or relevant. Don't be deceived by false cognates, such as "saline" (salty), or "sale" (discounted).

Example Question #446 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

A synonym of "erroneous" is __________.

Possible Answers:

simple

mistaken

correct

fallible

complex

Correct answer:

mistaken

Explanation:

"Erroneous" is an adjective that means "wrong; incorrect," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "wrong." "Correct," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "correct" is an antonym of "erroneous," not a synonym. "Mistaken," however, is an adjective that means either "wrong in one's opinion or judgment" or especially of a belief, "based on or resulting from a misunderstanding or faulty judgment." Because "mistaken" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "erroneous," "mistaken" is the correct answer.

Example Question #447 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

COVERT

Possible Answers:

Illegal 

Federal 

Hidden 

Distasteful 

Thematic

Correct answer:

Hidden 

Explanation:

Something that is "covert" is hidden, or more specifically, hidden from the general public. For example, some police officers will walk around public places in a covert manner so that they can more easily find unsuspecting criminals without being identified as police officers. So, "hidden" is the correct answer.

Example Question #448 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

SALIENT

Possible Answers:

Significant 

Circumstantial

Exquisite 

Irrelevant 

Unstable 

Correct answer:

Significant 

Explanation:

"Salient" means significant or noteworthy. To help you, "irrelevant" means not important and is an antonym of "salient." To further help you, "unstable" means not balancedmentally unbalanced, prone to experiencing problems of a psychiatric nature, or volatile; circumstantial means accidental or owed to circumstance; and "exquisite" means perfect, divine, or gorgeous.

Example Question #1001 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: choose the word closest in meaning to the word in question.

 DUBIOUS
Possible Answers:

fragile

doubtful
 

certain

superfluous
abrupt
 
Correct answer:
doubtful
 
Explanation:
If you are not too sure about something, you might be "dubious" about it, as "dubious" means expressing doubt or hesitation. Considering the potential answer choices, "abrupt" means stark or sudden, "certain" means absolutely sure, "superfluous" means extraneous, and "fragile" means breakable. So, none of these answer choices can be correct because none of them are close in meaning to "dubious." "Doubtful," however, is an adjective that means uncertain, and because "doubtful" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "dubious," "doubtful" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1002 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AMBIGUOUS

Possible Answers:

Vague

Unusual

Alien

Frustrating

Unsure

Correct answer:

Vague

Explanation:

"Ambiguous" means "vague," or indefinite and undefined.

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