All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #41 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PETTY
Insignificant
Untimely
Unbelievable
Indelible
Incredible
Insignificant
"Petty" means trivial, minor, insignificant. To provide further help, "incredible" means amazing and "unbelievable" means not believable. Interestingly "credible" means "believable." Here we can see how words change and evolve over time, when once "incredible" meant simply not believable, now it means something closer to amazing because it is barely believable. Additionally, "indelible" means a mark that cannot be removed; "untimely" means happening at the wrong time, happening too soon.
Example Question #42 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SHODDY
Inferior
Superior
Unusual
Exemplary
Mediocre
Inferior
Something that is described as "shoddy" is poorly made, of inferior quality. "Inferior" means not as good as, worse. To provide further help, "superior" means better than; "mediocre" means average in a bad way; "exemplary" means perfect, flawless, a perfect example of.
Example Question #43 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SOPHISTICATED
Crude
Unusual
Intermediate
Standard
Advanced
Advanced
"Sophisticated" is an adjective that can be used to describe either machinery, technology, or people. It means advanced, modern, not crude. To provide further help, "crude" means basic, lacking detail and sophistication; "unusual" means not normal; "standard" means normal, common; "intermediate" means middle, mid-way, transitional.
Example Question #44 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EXEMPLARY
Famous
Overwhelming
Legal
Amazing
Ideal
Ideal
Whenever something is "exemplary," it is excellent. Indeed, the word itself can help us understand its meaning. An "exemplary" thing sets a very good example in some particular way. Thus, such a thing or person provides an "ideal." For example, an exemplary student is someone who is an ideal student whom others should imitate.
Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INSPIRING
Courageous
Stimulating
Popular
Academic
Patriotic
Stimulating
Whenever something is "inspiring," it leads others to want to do or feel something. For example, an inspiring song may make people feel like they can overcome any difficulty. An inspiring speech can make someone think that he or she is able to achieve any goal. Sometimes, something can inspire negative feelings as well—as when something "inspires fear." In all of these cases, the inspiration stimulates a feeling or ideal. Thus, something that is called "inspiring" can also be called "stimulating."
Example Question #52 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DESPICABLE
Distasteful
Abhorrent
Forgetful
Criminal
Dislikable
Abhorrent
When ever someone or something is "despicable," it is something that you should despise. That is, it is something that you should hate very strongly. Now, the word "despicable" itself means this—deserving of great hatred. It might well be true that "criminal" things deserve great hatred; however, "criminal" is not synonymous with the basic meaning of "despicable." Therefore, the best option is "abhorrent." Something that is "abhorrent" is hated greatly. It causes a kind of "horror"—not in fright but, instead, in hatred. It is related to the verb "abhor," meaning to hate or find disgusting.
Example Question #53 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ATTRACTIVE
Shimmering
Tempting
Rare
Luminous
Favored
Tempting
Whenever something or someone is "attractive," that thing (or person) draws your attention. An "attraction" is a kind of "pulling" that draws something closer. Sometimes, we use the word "attractive" to mean that something is tempting. For instance, consider the sentence, "That option was particularly attractive, and it was hard for Peter not to choose it." This means that the option was tempting for Peter.
Example Question #54 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INTRICATE
Exasperating
Ornate
Awkward
Encouraging
Strenuous
Ornate
Whenever something is "intricate," that thing is complicated. This can refer to an intricate gadget—something that has many complicated parts that are all related together in complicated ways. It can also refer to something like an intricate argument—that is, one that has many details that require a lot of thinking to understand.
Example Question #55 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISTINGUISHED
Insightful
Gashed
Prominent
Loving
Perceptive
Prominent
The meaning of the word "distinguished" is related to the verb "to distinguish." Whenever we distinguish two things from each other, we express what is different about them. Each thing is unique and, hence, distinct. Whenever we describe a person as "distinguished," we are saying that he or she is different from other people. You can think of it like meaning that he or she "stands apart" from those others. Sometimes, senators will refer to each other by titles like, "The distinguished senator from Iowa," or "The distinguished woman from Kentucky." A prominent person is someone who is important and separated from the rest of "regular" people. Hence, "prominent" is a good synonym for "distinguished."
Example Question #56 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ESTEEMED
Healthy
Significant
Entangled
Persuasive
Admired
Admired
When we talk about "self esteem," we are referring to the sense of self-worth that a person has about himself or herself. To "esteem" something is to hold that thing in high regard. Thus, an "esteemed" thing is something that is admired by others (and perhaps, if it is a person, by himself or herself as well).
All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
