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 #23 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

AGHAST

Possible Answers:

Mesmerized

Horrified

Bored

Seduced

Enthralled

Correct answer:

Horrified

Explanation:

"Aghast" is an adjective that means shocked or horrified. For example, one might write, "They were aghast when they heard the news of the deadly train crash."

Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

INDIGNANT
Possible Answers:
 Irate

Reluctant 

Petty

Ignorant
 
 Native
Correct answer:
 Irate
Explanation:
"Indignant" is an adjective that means angry or outraged because of not being treated fairly. "Ignorant" means not knowledgeable about or aware of something, "native" means indiginous, "reluctant" means unwilling to do something, and "petty" means trivial, so none of these potential answer choices can be correct because none of them mean angry. "Irate" is the only word that means angry, so "irate" is the correct answer. 

Example Question #25 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

AGHAST

Possible Answers:

Interested

Fulfilled

Depressed

Shocked

Correct answer:

Shocked

Explanation:

"Aghast" is defined as struck with terror, amazement, or horror, so "shocked" is the best match.

Example Question #25 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

DISGRUNTLED

Possible Answers:

Disgusted

Groaning 

Dissatisfied

Stressed 

Untidy 

Correct answer:

Dissatisfied

Explanation:

"Disgruntled" means dissatisfied or unhappy. Thus, "disgruntled" is closest in meaning to "dissatisfied."

Example Question #26 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

EXUBERANT

Possible Answers:

Excessive

Excited

Distracting

Unforgettable

Unyielding

Correct answer:

Excited

Explanation:

"Exuberant" is an adjective that means having a lot of energy or excited about something, so "excited" is the correct answer.

Example Question #27 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

AGHAST

Possible Answers:

Uncomfortable 

Acceptable 

Shocked 

Miserable 

Implore 

Correct answer:

Shocked 

Explanation:

"Aghast" means taken by surprise or shocked. To further help you, "implore" means to beg or urge; "miserable" means very sad; "acceptable" means good enough.

Example Question #28 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

AGAPE

Possible Answers:

Hollow

Cancerous 

Suspicious 

Amazed

Forgiven 

Correct answer:

Amazed

Explanation:

“Agape” means astonished or amazed, so "amazed" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "agape": "forgiven" means no longer blamed for something; "cancerous" means harmful or damaging; "hollow" means empty or void; and when you are "suspicious" you are tending to believe that something or someone is wrong or doing something bad without evidence proving that this is the case.

Example Question #29 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

EXUBERANT

Possible Answers:

Inconsiderate

Watery

Morbid

Weighty

Ebullient

Correct answer:

Ebullient

Explanation:

"Exuberant" is an adjective that means"filled with or characterized by a lively energy and excitement." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "energetic" or "excited." While "morbid," like "exuberant," describes an emotional state, it cannot be the correct answer because "morbid" means "characterized by or appealing to an abnormal and unhealthy interest in disturbing and unpleasant subjects, especially death and disease." "Ebullient," however, is an adjective that means "cheerful and full of energy," and because "ebullient" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "exuberant," "ebullient" is the correct answer.

Example Question #81 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

A synonym of "nonchalant" is . . .

Possible Answers:

friendly

excited

unconcerned

quiet

irresponsible

Correct answer:

unconcerned

Explanation:

"Nonchalant" is an adjective that refers to a person or manner and means "feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not worried" or "not interested." While "irresponsible" may look like a potentially correct answer choice simply because both "nonchalant" and "irresponsible" begin with negative prefixes, "irresponsible" means "not responsible" and is not similar in meaning to "nonchalant," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Unconcerned," however, means "showing a lack of worry or interest, especially when this is surprising or callous." Because "unconcerned" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "nonchalant," "unconcerned" is the correct answer.

Example Question #82 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

DISTRAUGHT

Possible Answers:

Entertained

Perplexed

Upset

Vindictive

Suspicious

Correct answer:

Upset

Explanation:

“Distraught” means very upset, so "upset" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “entertained” means amused or enjoying what you are watching or doing; “perplexed” means confused; “suspicious” means doubtful or thinking that someone or something is not what it appears or is said to be; “vindictive” means done for the purpose of revenge or enjoying getting revenge or being cruel.

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