All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #936 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ELATED
Happy
Cheerful
Thrilled
Content
Joyful
Thrilled
This question is very easy, so long as you don't get tripped up. All of these words are roughly synonymous; however, there is one important thing to note: the word "elated" means overjoyed or very joyful. Therefore, the best option will be the one that expresses this idea of being overjoyed. Only "thrilled" does this.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
A synonym of "eloquent" is __________.
glib
passive
limber
articulate
argumentative
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 #98 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
A synonym of "pompous" is __________.
wobbly
important
sententious
recycled
ashamed
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 #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
A synonym of "brash" is __________.
lenient
gregarious
insolent
refined
demanding
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 #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
A synonym of "benign" is __________.
plausible
hurried
beneficial
warmhearted
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 #351 : Identifying Synonyms
A synonym of "blunt" is __________.
subtle
frank
demonstrated
derogatory
warning
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 #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
A synonym of "curt" is __________.
agreeable
narrow-minded
fortunate
gruff
calm
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 #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
A synonym of "callow" is __________.
unfortunate
meddling
resolute
inexperienced
accomplished
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 #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
A synonym of "persistent" is __________.
fatigued
resolute
inopportune
halfhearted
wriggly
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 #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
A synonym of "flighty" is __________.
dependable
inconstant
quiet
languorous
promised
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.
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All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
