ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, and Sensory Imagery

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Middle Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

ROBUST

Possible Answers:

Miserable

Frequent

Sturdy

Timid

Flexible

Correct answer:

Sturdy

Explanation:

"Robust" means strong, durable, or sturdy, so "sturdy" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "robust": "timid" means easily scared and frightened; "flexible" means pliable or able to bend easily; "miserable" means depressed and unhappy; and "frequent" means occurring often.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

OPAQUE

Possible Answers:

Opulent

Disgusting 

Powerful

Foggy 

Correct answer:

Foggy 

Explanation:

"Opaque" means non-transparent or unable to let light pass through and thus be looked through. Something that is "cloudy" is not see-through; therefore, "cloudy" is the closest synonym because something that is cloudy is not see-through, and hence is non-transparent. None of the other possibilities mean "non-transparent." While "opulent" sounds similar to opaque, it has a different meaning: wealthy. As for the other answer choices, "disgusting" means unpleasant to the senses or gross, and "powerful" means possessing power or strong.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

ORNATE

Possible Answers:

Expensive

Immense

Simple

Plain

Decorative

Correct answer:

Decorative

Explanation:

If something is ornate, it means that it is decorative or detailed.  An example of this is there may be an ornate artistic design that an artist chooses to use in a painting.

Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

LAVISH

Possible Answers:

Sparse

Wild

Extravagant

Superior

Proud

Correct answer:

Extravagant

Explanation:

Although there is a verb form of "lavish," this question refers to the adjectival form of the word "lavish." Thus, the word "lavish," as used in the phrase "lavish spending," is closest in meaning to the word "extravagant."

Example Question #25 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

ANEMIC

Possible Answers:

Modest 

Haughty 

Anxious 

Pale

Tanned 

Correct answer:

Pale

Explanation:

“Anemic” means sick-looking or weak, and as such, it is closest in meaning to “pale,” which means lacking color or looking sick. To provide further help, “haughty” means boastful and arrogant; “tanned” means darkened by the sun; “anxious” means worried; and “modest” means not haughty or humble

Example Question #26 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

ARID

Possible Answers:

Cold

Dry

Airy

Damp

Intense

Correct answer:

Dry

Explanation:

"Arid" is an adjective that means "having little or no rain; too dry or barren to support vegetation" when it refers to land or climate, or "lacking in interest, excitement, or meaning" in referring to other things. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like either "dry" or "boring." While "airy" may look like a potentially correct answer choice because it is similar in spelling and pronunciation to "arid," "airy" does not mean "dry" or "boring," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Dry" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "arid," so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #27 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

APPETIZING

Possible Answers:

Agitating

Redundant

Tempting

Repulsive

Aggravating

Correct answer:

Tempting

Explanation:

Something that is "appetizing" is something that makes one want to eat. The answer choice closest in meaning to "appetizing" is "tempting," which means enticing or appealing, even though enjoying it might be a bad idea or wrong, so "tempting" is the correct answer.

Example Question #28 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

DELECTABLE

Possible Answers:

Surrogate 

Outrageous 

Tasty 

Ubiquitous 

Circumstantial 

Correct answer:

Tasty 

Explanation:

"Delectable" means tasty or delicious, so "tasty" is the correct answer. To help you, "circumstantial" means accidental or owed to circumstance, "outrageous" means ridiculous, "ubiquitous" means ever-present or everywhere, and "surrogate" means substitute, stand-in, or replacement.

Example Question #29 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

COMBUSTIBLE

Possible Answers:

Volatile

Serious

Chemical

Combative

Chronic

Correct answer:

Volatile

Explanation:

"Combustible" means explosive, while "volatile" means liable to change or explode. Thus, "combustible" is closest in meaning to "volatile."

Example Question #30 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

ROBUST

Possible Answers:

Timid

Weak

Shy

Introverted

Strong

Correct answer:

Strong

Explanation:

Someone or something that is "robust" is strong and sturdy, so "strong" is the correct answer. To help you, "timid," "shy," and "introverted" are all loose synonyms of one another. Someone who is "timid" is shy and weak, and someone who is "introverted" is shy, reserved, and quiet.

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