All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #311 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DECEPTIVE
Unexpected
Illegal
Thieving
Forceful
Illusory
Illusory
Whenever we deceive someone, we trick or lie to him or her. Thus, something that is "deceptive" is something that we could call "tricky." A deceptive person is someone who manipulates with lies. A deceptive appearance is something that looks one way, though it really is not in fact that way. For example, a building might look deceptively tall when it is, in fact, quite short. Thus, it creates an illusion. This is why "illusory" is a good synonym for "deceptive."
Example Question #673 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INSIPID
Obstinate
Boring
Healthy
Lavish
Prosperous
Boring
"Insipid" means lacking interest or flavor, which is closest in meaning to "boring."
Example Question #58 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
A synonym of "irate" is __________.
furious
moving
lumbering
icy
awkward
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 #312 : Identifying Synonyms
A synonym of "glum" is __________.
bright
bitter
melancholy
inveterate
quiet
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 #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
LIVID
Sullen
Bashful
Apathetic
Angered
Morose
Angered
If someone is "livid," they are extremely angered by a situation or person in particular. So, "angered" is the correct answer.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
STOIC
Unemotional
Cooked
Stove
Chair
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 #313 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
LEERY
Cowardly
Untrustworthy
Distrustful
Loyal
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 #679 : Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
IRATE
Positive
Doubtful
Judgemental
Angry
Angry
The word "irate" means angry. The best choice is "angry," as it is a part of the definition of "irate."
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.
TRANQUIL
Bed
Cozy
Peaceful
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 #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
WARY
Cautious
Enchanting
Garrulous
Witty
Rakish
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.