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 #679 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FUNDAMENTAL

Possible Answers:

Divisive

Logical

Vital

Grounded

Edifying

Correct answer:

Vital

Explanation:

The foundation of a house is the base upon which the whole thing is built. When we say that some principle is "foundational", we mean to say that it is essential and of great importance. Now, the word "vital" can mean living; however it indicates above all that something is very important. Do not be tricked by "grounded" or even "edifying". These options are trying to get you to choose something that reminds you of physical foundations. They are not direct synonyms, however.

Example Question #680 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UNAMBIGUOUS

Possible Answers:

Clear

Impartial

Rousing

Tedious

Lengthy

Correct answer:

Clear

Explanation:

You may know the word "ambiguous," which means having multiple interpretations. An ambiguous expression is one that could be understood in many different ways. Now, when something is un-ambiguous, it is not ambiguous. Therefore, this means that it is very clear and does not have multiple interpretations. Thus, the simple option "clear" is the best for this question!

Example Question #681 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WARY

Possible Answers:

Fatigued

Suspicious

Choleric

Lethargic

Sympathetic

Correct answer:

Suspicious

Explanation:

When someone is describe as being "wary," that person is cautious with regard to the things that they believe are dangerous. For instance, a person might be wary about listening to sales people, whom they suspect of lying in order to sell their products. The options "fatigued" and "lethargic" attempt to trick you into misreading "wary" as "weary," meaning tired. The best option, however, for "wary," given its meaning, is "suspicious".

Example Question #682 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SYMPATHETIC

Possible Answers:

Painful

Unpleasant

Mutual

Reciprocal

Understanding

Correct answer:

Understanding

Explanation:

The word "sympathetic" literally means sharing a feeling with. The "-pathetic" portion of the word comes from the Greek pathos, meaning feeling. The "sym-" prefix means with. (A "symphony" is a kind of group that creates sounds together with one another.) Primarily, sympathy is about being able to understand someone else and feel his or her feelings. Such a feeling is indeed shared, but it is not exactly mutual or indeed not "reciprocal" usually. The essence of sympathy is understanding and "co-feeling." Therefore, this is the best option among those given.

Example Question #683 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INCONGRUOUS

Possible Answers:

Unsuited

Fitting

Pernicious

Abrasive

Apt

Correct answer:

Unsuited

Explanation:

Incongruous means not continuous with, not appropriate for. To provide further help, "fitting" and "apt" are synonyms of one another and antonyms of "incongruous" - both words mean appropriate. "Pernicious" means harmful; "abrasive" means rude and aggressive

Example Question #684 : Identifying Synonyms

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

IMPERATIVE

Possible Answers:

Necessary

Likely

Unwise

Unlikely

Unnecessary

Correct answer:

Necessary

Explanation:

Something that is "imperative" is highly necessary. So, if you want to do well on any test you take it is "imperative" that you practice. To provide further help, "unwise" means not wise, foolish. The prefix un- is a negating prefix. This means it takes the original meaning of the word "wise" and causes it to mean the opposite "not wise." 

Example Question #685 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PAROCHIAL

Possible Answers:

Ponderous

Limited

Posh

Heavenly

Naive

Correct answer:

Limited

Explanation:

"Parochial" means having a limited worldview, provincial. So the best answer choice is "limited." To provide further help, "posh" means wealthy and refined; "ponderous" means slow moving, boring; "naive" means gullible, easily tricked into believing lies; "heavenly" means lovely, divine

Example Question #686 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EQUIVOCAL

Possible Answers:

Vague

Stubborn

Obstinate

Impatient

Obvious

Correct answer:

Vague

Explanation:

Equivocal means ambiguous, unclear, hazy, vague. To provide further help, "obstinate" means stubborn, inflexible.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

BIZARRE

Possible Answers:

Usual

Sociable

Odd

Dreadful

Sloppy

Correct answer:

Odd

Explanation:

"Bizarre" means strange or odd. Usual is the antonym; it means ordinary or common. "Sociable" means friendly and eager to interact and speak with other people. "Sloppy" means careless and not cautious. "Dreadful" means causing great fear.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

TRITE

Possible Answers:

insignificant

tiny

parochial

clichéd

unimportant

Correct answer:

clichéd

Explanation:

The word “trite” is often used in expressions like “his trite, meaningless remarks” or “the phrase was rather trite and common.” It often implies that something is insignificant or not important, but this sense follows on the main meaning of the word, namely, overused. It applies to expressions and ideas that have been repeated so often that they have lost their force. They become common knowledge and seem rather uninformative—“everyone knows that trite truth.” Among the options given in the answers, “clichéd” is the best, as it means overused and unoriginal.

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