ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives and Adverbs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #161 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

THRIFTY

Possible Answers:

Economical

Careful

Stingy

Cheap

Destitute

Correct answer:

Economical

Explanation:

When someone is "thrifty," he or she is very careful with money. This does not necessarily mean that he or she is "cheap" or "stingy." Likewise, it does not mean that the person is "destitute" (poor). A wealthy person can be thrifty by buying things at a good price and not wasting his or her money. Now, "careful" may seem correct for this reason, but "economical" is better. When something is described as being "economical," it is an option that provides a good return for the amount of money spent on it. Therefore, this is the best option for a synonym for "thrifty."

Example Question #162 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ZEALOUS

Possible Answers:

Imprisoned

Fervent

Lethargic

Colossal

Apathetic

Correct answer:

Fervent

Explanation:

"Zealous" is an adjective meaning having zeal or demonstrating energetic or fanatical support for a cause or person. "Fervent" shares the meaning of being fanatical. "Imprisoned" means held captive, "colossal" means huge, "lethargic" means tired and slow, and "apathetic" is an antonym of zealous meaning not caring at all.

Example Question #163 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

GREGARIOUS

Possible Answers:

Fertile

Sociable

Pungent

Innate

Disgusting

Correct answer:

Sociable

Explanation:

"Gregarious" means sociable or enjoying the company of others, so "sociable" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "gregarious": "innate" means natural or inherent; "disgusting" means causing revulsion or off-putting; "fertile" means productive, able to produce a lot of vegetation, or able to bear young; and "pungent" means having a powerful smell or taste.

Example Question #164 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ELITIST

Possible Answers:

Petrified

Desirable

Nonplussed

Snobbish

Apprehensive

Correct answer:

Snobbish

Explanation:

Someone who is "elitist" is arrogant and thinks they are better than other people. The closer answer choice to this definition is "snobbish." To provide further help, "petrified" means very scared; "apprehensive" means cautious and worried; "desirable" means wanted; "nonplussed" means confused

Example Question #165 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

DISTINGUISHED

Possible Answers:

Permissive

Comely

Frivolous

Portly

Eminent

Correct answer:

Eminent

Explanation:

"Distinguished" is an adjective used to describe a person who is accomplished, famous and eminent within their field. To provide further help, "permissive" means tolerant; "portly" means fat; "comely" means cute; "frivolous" means wasted, not necessary

Example Question #166 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

FORMIDABLE

Possible Answers:

Timorous

Daunting

Reticent

Bestial

Pusillanimous

Correct answer:

Daunting

Explanation:

"Formidable" means imposing and daunting. To provide further help, "reticent" means reserved; "timorous" means timid, easily frightened; "pusillanimous" means cowardly; "bestial" means savage, like a beast

Example Question #167 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

UNCTUOUS

Possible Answers:

Abstruse

Obtuse

Acute

Nominal

Fawning

Correct answer:

Fawning

Explanation:

"Unctuous" means excessively ingratiating, fawning, someone who debases themselves for someone else's approval. To provide further help, "abstruse" means hard to understand; "obtuse" means dim-witted, not smart; "acute" means sharp, quick-witted; "nominal" means insignificant

Example Question #168 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

CRAVEN

Possible Answers:

Cowardly

Miserly

Generous

Haughty

Parsimonious

Correct answer:

Cowardly

Explanation:

Someone who is "craven" is cowardly and pathetic. To provide further help, "miserly" and "parsimonious" are synonyms, both words mean stingy, not generous with money. Finally, "haughty" means arrogant, bold and disdainful towards others

Example Question #169 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

IRASCIBLE

Possible Answers:

Malleable

Sinewy

Detestable

Petulant

Regal

Correct answer:

Petulant

Explanation:

"Irascible" means irritable, quick-tempered, easily angered. This is closest in meaning to "petulant," which means bad-tempered, badly-behaved. To provide further help, "sinewy" means strong and muscular; "detestable" means deserving of hatred; "malleable" means flexible, easily changed; "regal" means of or related to royalty

Example Question #170 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

MORDANT

Possible Answers:

Raucous

Hapless

Dejected

Scathing

Bestial

Correct answer:

Scathing

Explanation:

"Mordant" means having a harsh and critical tone, scathing, caustic. To provide further help, "bestial" means savage, like a beast; "hapless" means unlucky, hopeless, useless; "dejected" means very sad; "raucous" means loud and out of control

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