ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #111 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

REFLECTIVE

Possible Answers:

Gracious

Genius

Identical

Silent

Thoughtful

Correct answer:

Thoughtful

Explanation:

The word "reflective" can be used to indicate a surface on which something reflects an image. The idea is that something is "bent back"—i.e. the light rays are bent back from the surface and sent to the viewer. A person is reflective when he or she is bent back on himself or herself. That is, such a person thinks deeply and ponders. Now, such a person will likely be quiet and may also be very intelligent. However, these meanings are secondary. The best synonym for reflective is the one that catches the ponering and thoughtfulness of a reflective person. Thus, the answer is "thoughtful".

Example Question #112 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

PASSIVE 

Possible Answers:

Amazed

Sluggish

Childish

Submissive

Lazy

Correct answer:

Submissive

Explanation:

The word "passive" actually comes from Latin roots that mean, to suffer or have something happen to oneself. Thus, when you throw a rock at the wall, the wall is "passive" in that it "suffers" to have the rock hit it. It receives the rock's action. Passive people let things happen to them. We call someone a "passive learner" when he or she merely accepts what a teacher says and does not think it through for himself or herself. However, a passive person is not necessarily sluggish or lazy. Thus, these two options are not correct. The best option provided is "submissive." The word passive can be used to describe the submissive attitude described above, especially in the case of the passive learner. Such a person submits to the teaching of another person.

Example Question #113 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

FRUGAL

Possible Answers:

Fertile

Exhausted

Thrifty

Impoverished

Expensive

Correct answer:

Thrifty

Explanation:

When someone is frugal, he or she is very careful with his or her money. Thus, we might say of a person, "Ronald was well known for his frugal temperament. He rarely spent any money, and when he did, it was spent very wisely." The best option among those provided is "thrifty." To be "thrifty" means to be careful with one's money and other possessions.

Example Question #113 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

CANDID

Possible Answers:

Sincere

Judgmental

Political

Able

Friendly

Correct answer:

Sincere

Explanation:

The word "candid" is actually rather neat. It comes from Latin roots meaning white. Certain political candidates in the ancient world wore white robes—hence, they were candid-ates. We use the word "candid" to mean honest or truthful. This is because such a person does not "color over" the truth! Thus, such a person is honest and pure, at least in speech!

Example Question #114 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

DETERMINED

Possible Answers:

Singular

Unilateral

Serious

Judgmental

Unwavering

Correct answer:

Unwavering

Explanation:

When we "determine" something, we make a choice to do it in a particular way. For instance, you may have the option of having anything to eat for dinner, but you take this general category of "anything whatsoever" and make a determination—you say, "I will have this and not any of those other things." When a person is described as being "determined," he or she is certain about a given choice. We say things like, "He was determined to win at all costs." This means that he was unwilling to do anything else but win. Such a person does not turn from his or her goal and hence is "unwavering." The options "singular" and "serious" try to get you to confuse the other meanings and choose incorrectly. "Unswerving" is the best option provided.

Example Question #212 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

JUBILANT

Possible Answers:

Judgmental

Energetic

Critical

Enjoyable

Thrilled

Correct answer:

Thrilled

Explanation:

The word "jubilant" comes from roots that mean to be joyous and make a joyful, shouting noise. Thus, in general, when we say that someone is "jubilant," he or she is very joyous. Thus, the best word offered among your options is "thrilled." When someone is "thrilled," he or she is very excited and joyful.

Example Question #115 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

MORALISTIC

Possible Answers:

didactic

offensive

threatening

bombastic

insulting

Correct answer:

didactic

Explanation:

If you look at your options, there are a few categories you can create. For example, offensive; threatening; and insulting may all fit into a category for their closeness in meaning: they all signal that something bad is being directed at someone. Bombastic is something that makes a big splash, calls your attention immediately, but where nothing much more valuable can be found after the initial big moment. The word that is left is didactic, which describes a person or thing that loves to teach people lessons from a high moral ground, believing, say, they are better than their audience. Moralistic is very close in meaning--someone who always believes they have superior ability to judge others according to their moral character.

Example Question #214 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

FICKLE

Possible Answers:

Intelligent

Steadfast

Temperamental

Joyful

Malicious

Correct answer:

Temperamental

Explanation:

"Fickle" is an adjective describing a personality that is temperamental, unpredictable, and changing frequently. For example: "The FICKLE fans changed their favorite team every week, depending on who won or lost."

"Steadfast" is an antonym to "fickle." "Joyful" is an adjective used to describe someone who is extremely happy. "Intelligent" is an adjective used to describe someone who is smart. "Malicious" is an adjective used to describe someone who is mean-spirited.

Example Question #116 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

MEEK

Possible Answers:

Tame

Dishonest

Capricious

Erratic

Arrogant

Correct answer:

Tame

Explanation:

"Meek" is an adjective meaning humble or tame. For example: "The MEEK child did not cry, complain, or even speak throughout the long journey."

"Arrogant" could be considered an antonym to "meek."

Example Question #117 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

DOCILE

Possible Answers:

Arrogant

Menacing

Obedient

Thoughtful

Smooth

Correct answer:

Obedient

Explanation:

"Docile" is an adjective meaning gentle or obedient. For example: The DOCILE dog does not bark, even when facing strangers."

While a "thoughtful" person may also be described as "docile," the words are not specifically synonymous. "Arrogant" is an adjective used to describe someone who is abrasive, overconfident, and haughty. "Menacing" is an adjective used to describe someone who is intimidating or frightening. "Smooth," when used as a personality adjective, describes someone who is suave.

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