All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #121 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PLACID
Disturbing
Tranquil
Chaotic
Saint
Lake
Tranquil
"Placid" means calm or peaceful. "Tranquil" also means calm or peaceful. For example: "The placid lake made Sienna feel calm and tranquil."
"Saints" or "lakes" can both be called "placid," but they are not synonyms for this word.
Example Question #122 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LOQUACIOUS
Redundant
Talkative
Exceptional
Quiet
Sullen
Talkative
The word "loquacious" can be used to describe someone who talks a lot. If you pay attention to the words that are not the correct answer, none adequately describes a loquacious person. Both "quiet" and "sullen" refer to someone who experiences a moment of silence and even sadness, and are thus antonyms to "loquacious;" "redundant" refers to something that is repetitive, and "exceptional" to something that is above average. The process of elmination should have helped you to answer this question.
Example Question #123 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SLEAZY
Immoral
Feisty
Reluctant
Porous
Diverse
Immoral
"Sleazy" means immoral and corrupt, sordid and unpleasant. To provide further help, "porous" means easily penetrated, easily passed through; "diverse" means varied, different; "feisty" means unexpectedly tough, a strong individual who is relatively small; "reluctant" means unwilling.
Example Question #124 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HAPLESS
Uncommon
Unkind
Unattractive
Unpleasant
Unlucky
Unlucky
"Hapless" means unlucky, consistently unfortunate. You will have noticed that all the answer choices begin with the prefix un-. This is a negating prefix, this means it takes the original meaning of the word and causes it to mean the opposite. For example, "unkind" means not kind and "unpleasant" means not pleasant. Other prefixes in the English language that often have this impact are in- and im-.
Example Question #125 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OVERBEARING
Illustrious
Dominating
Undocumented
Caustic
Vogue
Dominating
Someone who is "overbearing" is arrogantly dismissive of other's viewpoints, dominating and bullying. To provide further help, "illustrious" means acclaimed, well regarded, highly-praised; "undocumented" means not recorded, not written down; "vogue" means popular, fashionable; "caustic" means sarcastic and bitter.
Example Question #126 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRODIGAL
Lawful
Scornful
Dreadful
Wasteful
Harmful
Wasteful
"Prodigal" means wasteful, spending money needlessly and wastefully. To provide further help, "lawful" means within the law; "dreadful" means terrible; "scornful" means mocking, contemptuous, expressing dislike; "harmful" means causing harm, not helpful.
Example Question #127 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CANDID
Obnoxious
Angry
Loud
Truthful
Deceptive
Truthful
Whenever someone is "candid," he or she is honest. Whenever someone has a "candid" personality trait, we say that he or she has candor. These words actually come from the Latin for white. Whenever we are honest or candid, we do not "color over" the truth. We just speak the truth honestly (often bluntly and directly). Thus, the best option for this question is "truthful."
Example Question #128 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ASTUTE
Detailed
Scholarly
Insightful
Careful
Reflective
Insightful
Perhaps you have heard the expression "an astute observation. "For example, someone might say, "The teacher was impressed by the astute observation made by Susan. Her remark was insightful and intelligent." Whenever we are astute, we are able to understand a situation or topic quickly and ably. Often, we are able to use that knowledge to our own advantage. For this question, however, we do not need to worry about this second part of the meaning. The only option that expresses a synonym for astute is "insightful." Even if someone is reflective, this is not the same as being insightful. A reflective person is someone who can think about things deeply. Often reflective people can be astute, but the word "reflective" is not as good of a synonym for "astute" as is "insightful."
Example Question #129 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CHARMING
Complete
Wealthy
Beautiful
Pleasing
Grateful
Pleasing
Whenever someone is "charming," we like to be in his or her presence. A "charming" attitude or demeanor is one that is pleasant and likeable. When we are "charmed" by something, we are "pleased" by that thing (and often desire to have it). Thus, the best option among those provided is "pleasing." Whenever someone says, "He is a very charming person," he or she likely means, "He is very pleasing to be around."
Example Question #130 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OBNOXIOUS
Stupid
Immoral
Horrible
Illegal
Foolish
Horrible
The word "obnoxious" is related to the word "noxious." Whenever there are "noxious" vapors in an area, these vapors are unpleasant in odor and perhaps even dangerous. A person who has an "obnoxious" personality is annoying and displeasing to be around. Indeed, such a person can really be horrible company, and that is the sense implied in this question. We tend to think of foolish people as being obnoxious; however, this does not mean that these two words are synonymous with each other. Instead, the foolishness is the cause of the person's being obnoxious. Hence, the only option that really expresses the idea of being unpleasant is "horrible."
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