ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #358 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HAUGHTY

Possible Answers:

Substantial

Insistent

Absent

Arrogant

Correct answer:

Arrogant

Explanation:

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."

Example Question #721 : Synonyms

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

 

GENEROUS

Possible Answers:

Magnanimous

Detrimental

Spendthrift

Penurious

Selfish

Correct answer:

Magnanimous

Explanation:

All of the terms aside from "detrimental" (harmful) are related to "generous" in some way, but "magnanimous" is most appropriate because it means generous in giving and benevolent. "Spendthrift" means indulgent and wasteful in spending, "penurious" means stingy, and "seflish" means only thinking of oneself and not of others.

Example Question #722 : Synonyms

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

IMPRESSIVE

Possible Answers:

Admirable

Identical

Solitary

Visible

Negative

Correct answer:

Admirable

Explanation:

"Impressive" means admirable or evoking praise or admiration, so "admirable" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are related in meaning to "impressive": "identical" means exactly the same; "visible" means apparent or able to be seen; "solitary" means alone or by oneself; and "negative" means not hopeful or pessimistic.

Example Question #723 : Synonyms

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

COURTEOUS

Possible Answers:

Frigid

Immense

Edible

Solo

Polite

Correct answer:

Polite

Explanation:

"Courteous" means polite and gracious, so "polite" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "courteous": "edible" means able to be eaten. "Frigid" means extremely cold. "Immense" means very great in size, and "solo" means done independently or alone.

Example Question #724 : Synonyms

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

GENTEEL

Possible Answers:

Solitary

Offensive

Sedentary

Refined

Coarse

Correct answer:

Refined

Explanation:

A "genteel" person is one who is extremely polite and/or refined in his or her manners. So, "refined" is the correct answer.

Example Question #725 : Synonyms

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

REGAL

Possible Answers:

Pertinent

Straightforward

Polite

Magnificent

Democratic

Correct answer:

Magnificent

Explanation:

"Regal" has two definitions: it can mean either being descended from a royal family or magnificent. In this case, the secondary definition "magnificent" is given, so "magnificent" is the correct answer.

Example Question #366 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FRUGAL

Possible Answers:

Mean

Thrifty

Smelly

Wasteful

Correct answer:

Thrifty

Explanation:

"Frugal" means prefering to save rather than to spend money, so "thrifty" is the best match. "Wasteful" has the opposite meaning.

Example Question #726 : Synonyms

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

IDLE

Possible Answers:

Smug

Preoccupied

Fortunate

Terrified

Lazy

Correct answer:

Lazy

Explanation:

"Idle" means not in use when referring to a machine, lazy when referring to a person, and unoccupied or spare when referring to time in someone's schedule. So, "lazy" is the correct answer.

Example Question #727 : Synonyms

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

GREGARIOUS

Possible Answers:

Cold

Generous

Divergent

Outgoing

Ideal

Correct answer:

Outgoing

Explanation:

"Gregarious" means sociableoutgoing, or friendly, so "outgoing," which also means friendly and extroverted, is the best match here.

Example Question #728 : Synonyms

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

Bashful 

Possible Answers:

Sweet

Bold

Uncoordinated

Belligerent

Shy

Correct answer:

Shy

Explanation:

"Bashful" means timid or shy. For example, one might say, "The lamb was so bashful that it was afraid to even leave its mother's side." So, "shy" is the correct answer.

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