All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #481 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PIOUS
Exquisite
Moral
Devout
Posh
Dignified
Devout
Generally speaking, we use the word "pious" to refer to someone who is religious in a devoted way. In the past, the word used to deal with someone's respect for his or her parents, though this use is much rarer today. Sometimes, "pious" is used to describe someone who is showy with his or her religiousness, though is actually quite nasty and immoral. In this question, however, the only acceptable option is "devout."
Example Question #482 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
UNWAVERING
Arrogant
Pompous
Steadfast
Subjective
Melodramatic
Steadfast
Whenever something "wavers," it sways from side to side. If "waver" when you walk, you don't walk a linear path, but instead move from side to side as you proceed forward, winding back and forth.
Whenever we describe someone as being "unwavering," we are saying that he or she is unchanging. This person does not go off the side of the path that has been chosen. Such a person is devoted to what he or she is doing. Hence, "steadfast" is an excellent synonym. It means standing steadily in the sense of meaning unchanging and devoted.
Example Question #483 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AGGRESSIVE
Antisocial
Enraged
Assertive
Distinguished
Angry
Assertive
Likely, you know the word "aggressive" in some manner. An "aggressive" person is pushy and generally pretty combative. He or she really does a lot to get his or her way. Aggressive people are not much fun to be around (at least most of the time). So, it's tempting to say that the word means "angry," "enraged," or even "antisocial"; however, being aggressive primarily has to do with being pushy or, as is appropriate given our options for this question, "assertive."
Example Question #484 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HUMANE
Wise
Fortuitous
Advanced
Liberal
Understanding
Understanding
The word "humane" is related to the word "human." In a way, it means acting in a way that befits a true and good human person. Thus, a "humane" person is someone who is understanding and compassionate, not mean and rude. The only option that expresses this general meaning is "understanding." A number of the other options try to trick you by getting you to pick a word that hints at the fact that human beings are very developed creatures. Do not be tricked by these!
Example Question #485 : Identifying Synonyms
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Humans are born with the ________________ ability to learn languages; babies do not need formal training on how to recognize words from speech.
Superb
Strange
Innate
Innate
Superb
Innate
The definition of "innate" is possessed at birth or a natural trait. Therefore, the sentence provides the necessary clue for the missing word where it states "babies do not need formal training." The other answer choices do not match this definition.
Example Question #851 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FRUGAL
Thrifty
Fearless
Gargantuan
Sincere
Fake
Thrifty
"Frugal" means "thrifty" or economical. The other answer choices here do not relate to money or other expenses.
Example Question #852 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GULLIBLE
Credible
Idiotic
Amusing
Foolish
Exploitable
Exploitable
Whenever someone is "gullible," he or she will believe just about anything whatsoever. You can easily "use" or exploit a person who is like this. That is, a gullible person can be tricked for you to gain an advantage over him or her (if you wanted to, at least). A more standard synonym for "gullible" is "naive," though this is not an option among those provided.
Example Question #853 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EXQUISITE
Lovely
Candid
Foreboding
Expensive
Magnetic
Lovely
“Exquisite” means ornate, dainty, and beautiful, so "lovely" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “candid” means blunt and honest; “magnetic” means attractive; “foreboding” means suggesting something bad will happen soon in the future; and "expensive" means financially costly.
Example Question #854 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IMMINENT
Looming
Lavish
Gracious
Incipient
Fortunate
Looming
“Imminent” means occurring soon, making "looming" the best answer choice. As for the other answer choices, "lavish" means luxurious; "incipient" means just having begun or developing; "fortunate" means lucky; and "gracious" means thankful and polite.
Example Question #240 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
A synonym of "toxic" is __________.
prepared
complete
poisonous
industrial
fulsome
poisonous
"Toxic" is an adjective that means "causing or capable of causing death or illness if taken into the body" when used of a plant or substance, "producing poison as a means of attacking enemies or prey" when describing an animal or insect, or "extremely unpleasant or malicious." While "fulsome" might look like a good answer choice, "fulsome" actually means "complimentary or flattering to an excessive degree" or "of large size or quantity; generous or abundant," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Poisonous" however, is a synonym of "toxic," so "poisonous" is the correct answer.