All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
A synonym of "eloquent" is __________.
passive
limber
articulate
argumentative
glib
articulate
"Eloquent" is an adjective that means "fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing" or "clearly expressing or indicating something," so we need to pick out another adjective that means something like "fluent in speech or writing." "Glib" might look like a close synonym of "eloquent," as "glib" means "fluent and voluble but insincere and shallow," and is used to describe words or the person speaking them; however, "articulate" is the better answer, because "articulate" also describes a person or their words and means "having or showing the ability to speak fluently and coherently." Because articulate does not include any negative connotations like "glib" does (in meaning "insincere and shallow"), "articulate" is the closer synonym to "eloquent" and the correct answer.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
A synonym of "pompous" is __________.
sententious
important
recycled
ashamed
wobbly
sententious
"Pompous" is an adjective meaning "affectedly and irritatingly grand, solemn, or self-important." While "important" may look like a good answer because someone who is pompous merely thinks they are important, "important" and "pompous" are not synonyms, so "important" cannot be the correct answer. "Sententious," however, is an adjective that means "given to moralizing in a pompous or affected manner," and the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "pompous."
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
A synonym of "brash" is __________.
demanding
gregarious
refined
insolent
lenient
insolent
"Brash" is an adjective that can mean "self-assertive in a rude, noisy, or overbearing way," "strong, energetic, or irreverent," or when describing a place or a thing, "having an ostentatious or tasteless appearance." "Gregarious" means "fond of company; sociable," so it can't be the correct answer, and while "interruptive" and "demanding" are both nearer in meaning to "brash" than "gregarious" is, neither of them are synonymous with "brash." "Insolent," an adjective that means "showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect," is the closest synonym to "brash" amongst the listed answer choices, so it is the correct answer.
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
A synonym of "benign" is __________.
warmhearted
plausible
beneficial
hurried
bewildered
warmhearted
"Benign" is an adjective that can take on several meanings: "gentle; kindly," "mild and favorable" when used to describe a climate or environment, "not harmful to the environment" or, when used of a disease, "not harmful in effect: in particular, not malignant (when describing a tumor)." While "bewildered" and "beneficial" might each start with "be-" like "benign" does, neither word is synonymous with any of the meanings of "benign," so neither "bewildered" nor "beneficial" can be the correct answer. "Warmhearted," however, is an adjective that means "sympathetic and kind" and is used of a person or their actions, and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "benign," it is the correct answer.
Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
A synonym of "blunt" is __________.
subtle
warning
derogatory
frank
demonstrated
frank
"Blunt," when used as an adjective, can mean either "having a worn-down edge or point; not sharp" when referring to knives, pencils, or other typically sharp objects, "uncompromisingly forthright" when referring to a person, or "saying or expressing something in a very direct way that may upset some people." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "dull," "forthright," or "saying something in a very direct manner." "Subtle," then, cannot be the correct answer, because because "subtle" can mean "making use of clever and indirect methods to achieve something," making "subtle" an antonym of "blunt." "Frank," however, is an adjective that means "open, honest, and direct in speech or writing, especially when dealing with unpalatable matters," and because "frank" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "blunt," "frank" is the correct answer.
Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
A synonym of "curt" is __________.
gruff
fortunate
calm
narrow-minded
agreeable
gruff
"Curt" is an adjective that means "rudely brief," so we need to pick out an answer that means something like "rudely brief." So, "agreeable" cannot be the correct answer because "agreeable" is an antonym, not a synonym, of "curt." "Gruff," however, is an adjective that can mean "abrupt or taciturn in manner," and because "gruff" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "curt," "gruff" is the correct answer.
Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
A synonym of "callow" is __________.
resolute
inexperienced
accomplished
meddling
unfortunate
inexperienced
"Callow" is an adjective that means "inexperienced and immature," especially when referring to a young person, so we need to pick out an answer that means something like "immature." So, "accomplished" cannot be the correct answer because "accomplished" is an adjective that means "highly trained or skilled," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "callow." "Inexperienced," however, is a verb that can mean "having little knowledge or experience of a particular thing," and because "inexperienced" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "callow," "inexperienced" is the correct answer.
Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
A synonym of "persistent" is __________.
fatigued
resolute
wriggly
inopportune
halfhearted
resolute
"Persistent" is an adjective that means "continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition." So, we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "continuing obstinately." So, "halfhearted" cannot be the correct answer, because "halfhearted" means "without enthusiasm or energy," making it an antonym of "persistent," not a synonym. "Resolute," however, is an adjective that means "admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering," and because "resolute" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "persistent," "resolute" is the correct answer.
Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
A synonym of "flighty" is __________.
inconstant
promised
dependable
languorous
quiet
inconstant
"Flighty" is an adjective that means "fickle and irresponsible," so we need to pick out a word that means something like "fickle" or "irresponsible." "Dependable," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "dependable" means "trustworthy and reliable," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "flighty." "Inconstant," however, is an adjective that means either "frequently changing; variable or irregular," or when referring to a person or their behavior, "not faithful and dependable." Because "inconstant" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "flighty," "inconstant" is the correct answer.
Example Question #10 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
HAUGHTY
Absent
Arrogant
Insistent
Substantial
Arrogant
Though pronounced "HOT-ee," the word "haughty" has nothing to do with heat. Rather, it describes one who is arrogant or snobby. It has traveled through variations in several languages from a Latin word that means "high."
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