All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
A synonym of "irate" is __________.
moving
icy
awkward
furious
lumbering
furious
"Irate" is an verb that means "feeling or characterized by great anger." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "angry." "Furious" is an adjective that means either "extremely angry" or "full of anger or energy; violent or intense," and because it is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "irate," "furious" is the correct answer.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
A synonym of "glum" is __________.
melancholy
bitter
quiet
inveterate
bright
melancholy
"Glum" is an adjective that means "looking or feeling dejected; morose." So, we need to pick out a answer choice that means something like "morose." While "quiet" might look like a potentially correct answer because someone who is morose might also be quiet, "morose" does not mean the same thing as "quiet," so "quiet" cannot be the correct answer. "Melancholy," however, when used as an adjective, means either "having a feeling of melancholy; sad and pensive" or " causing or expressing sadness; depressing." Because "melancholy" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "glum," "melancholy" is the correct answer.
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
LIVID
Angered
Morose
Bashful
Sullen
Apathetic
Angered
If someone is "livid," they are extremely angered by a situation or person in particular. So, "angered" is the correct answer.
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
STOIC
Unemotional
Stove
Chair
Cooked
Unemotional
The word "stoic" means not showing emotion. The best choice is "unemotional," which means not demonstrating emotions or not having emotions. Considering the other choices, a "stove" is a machine that generates heat for use, "cooked" means prepared by use of heat, and a "chair" is a seat.
Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
LEERY
Distrustful
Untrustworthy
Loyal
Cowardly
Naive
Distrustful
"Leery" means distrustful of others or of a situation. For example, one might say, "The young woman was leery of the teenagers who hung out around the park and kept sneaking glances at her purse." So, "distrustful" is the correct answer.
Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
IRATE
Angry
Doubtful
Judgemental
Positive
Angry
The word "irate" means angry. The best choice is "angry," as it is a part of the definition of "irate."
Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
TRANQUIL
Peaceful
Cozy
Bed
Quilt
Peaceful
The word "tranquil" means peaceful. The best choice is "peaceful" because it is a part of the definition of "tranquil." Considering the other choices, "cozy" means warm and comfortable, a "quilt" is a bedspread, and a "bed" is a piece of furniture designed to be slept on.
Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
WARY
Garrulous
Witty
Cautious
Rakish
Enchanting
Cautious
"Wary" means cautious, worried, or careful, so "cautious" is the correct answer. To help you, "garrulous" means talkative, "enchanting" means charming, "rakish" means dashing and attractive, and "witty" means quick with words and clever.
Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
GLOOMY
Compatible
Argumentative
Jubilant
Depressed
Passionate
Depressed
"Gloomy" means sad and depressed, so "depressed" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "gloomy": "jubilant" means extremely happy and joyful; "passionate" means having strong feelings and great energy; "compatible" means able to work together, able to get along, or able to coexist peacefully; and "argumentative" means inclined to fight or disagree.
Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
IRATE
Wonderful
Worried
Delighted
Angry
Angry
"Irate" is an adjective that means enraged, so the answer closest in meaning to "irate" is "angry," which is an adjective that means showing strong resentment. Considering the other answer choices, none are as close in meaning to "irate" as is "angry": "delighted" is an adjective meaning very pleased; "worried" is adjective meaning concerned; and "wonderful" is an adjective meaning great or marvelous.