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 #31 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

PALLID

Possible Answers:

pigmented

pale 

weak 

calm

flavorless 

Correct answer:

pale 

Explanation:

"Pallid" means pale in appearance, often due to being sick. "Pale" means lacking vibrancy of color. Therefore, "pale" is closest in meaning to the word "pallid." While pallid people are sometimes weak because they are sometimes sick, "weak" does not have the same meaning as "pallid," and so it is a tempting wrong answer. "Pigmented" means having color as opposed to not having color, which is the opposite of "pallid."

Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

LUMINOUS

Possible Answers:

Cold

Numerous

Rainy

Cloudy

Bright

Correct answer:

Bright

Explanation:

"Luminous" means bright and shining. The best choice is "bright" as it is a part of the definition of "luminous." 

Example Question #32 : 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.

MELLIFLUOUS

Possible Answers:

Flulike

Enraged

Dulcet

Melted

Correct answer:

Dulcet

Explanation:

The word "mellifluous" means sweetly flowing or sounding. The best choice is "dulcet," which also means sweetly sounding. Considering the other choices, "flulike" means resembling symptoms of the flu, "melted" means having become liquid, and "enraged" means angry.

Example Question #34 : 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.

DUCTILE

Possible Answers:

Visible

Nocturnal

Malleable

Sensible

Despicable

Correct answer:

Malleable

Explanation:

Something that is "ductile" is very malleable, easily shaped into something different, or easily influenced. So, for example, clay is ductile. So, "malleable" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "ductile": "despicable" means wicked; an animal that is "nocturnal" is awake at night and asleep during the day; "visible" means able to be seen; and "sensible" means proper, considerate, or not foolish.

Example Question #33 : 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.

DURABLE

Possible Answers:

Impermanent

Indestructible

Flimsy

Dainty

Transitory

Correct answer:

Indestructible

Explanation:

Something that is "durable" is long-lasting and thus, the best fit is "indestructible" which indicates something that is unable to be broken or damaged easily. "Impermanent" means lasting only for a short amount of time; "dainty" means fragile; and "flimsy" means delicate.

Example Question #34 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

POROUS

Possible Answers:

Elegant

Holey

Utter

Rakish

Passive

Correct answer:

Holey

Explanation:

"Porous" means full of small holes or capable of absorbing liquids, so "holey," which also means full of holes, is the best choice here. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "porous": "passive" means not active; "utter" means absolute when used as an adjective; "elegant" means graceful or sophisticated; and "rakish" means dashing but disreputable.

Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

AMORPHOUS

Possible Answers:

Shapely

Artistic

Deep

Formless

Correct answer:

Formless

Explanation:

The word "amorphous" means not having a defined shape. The best choice is "formless" as it shares the same definition as "amorphous." 

Example Question #35 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

AMORPHOUS

Possible Answers:

Without light

Without shape

Without education

Without money

Without color

Correct answer:

Without shape

Explanation:

"Amorphous" means without a clear shape or form.

Example Question #652 : Synonyms

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

SYMMETRICAL

Possible Answers:

Unbalanced

Sideways

Sudden

Sinister

Balanced

Correct answer:

Balanced

Explanation:

"Symmetrical" is defined as regular in form or arrangement. This is similar to "balanced."

Example Question #35 : 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.

DISHEVELED

Possible Answers:

Disorderly

Inconsiderate

Insonsistent

Undue

Unharmonious

Correct answer:

Disorderly

Explanation:

"Disheveled" means very disorderly in appearance, or in a state of disarray. For example, you might say, "Joe's room was very disheveled, as his schoolwork was all over the floor and none of his clothes were put away." So, "disorderly" is the correct answer.

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