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 #51 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

OVERWROUGHT

Possible Answers:

Jittery

Anxious

Overactive

Annoying

Inconsistent

Correct answer:

Anxious

Explanation:

When someone is “overwrought,” that person is excited or anxious. While that might cause someone to be jittery or even annoying, the best option among those given is the mere direct definition, “anxious.” The word would be used in a sentence like, “Having arrived at the long-feared day, Jonathan was so overwrought that he could not even sleep because of his agitated nerves.”

Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

TEMPESTUOUS

Possible Answers:

Hurricane

Frenzied

Overwhelmed

Blizzard

Harrying

Correct answer:

Frenzied

Explanation:

The word “tempestuous” is related to the word “tempest,” which is a strong wind storm. When applied to a human person, it implies that the person has a very strong emotional disposition. Someone could say, “John had an extremely tempestuous attitude, often screaming at his subordinates and always arguing with someone.”

Example Question #52 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

VACANT

Possible Answers:

Pitiful

Solitary

Alone

Forgotten

Emotionless

Correct answer:

Emotionless

Explanation:

The word “vacant” is related to the word “vacuum,” meaning “empty space.” Sometimes, you will hear an expression like “a vacant lot” to describe a piece of land that has nothing built on it (and perhaps is abandoned and unused). The word can also be applied to the expression that a person has. When someone shows a “vacant expression,” he or she has a “blank stare.” Often this implies that there is no emotion expressed at all.

Example Question #53 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

JUBILANT

Possible Answers:

Fuming

Bewildered

Morose

Gleeful

Surprised

Correct answer:

Gleeful

Explanation:

"Jubilant" is an adjective defined as "feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph." While all of the answer choices describe moods or emotions, only "gleeful," an adjective that means "exuberantly or triumphantly joyful," is a synonym of "jubilant," so "gleeful" is the correct answer.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

MOROSE

Possible Answers:

Macabre

Sulky

Tepid

Timid

Lofty

Correct answer:

Sulky

Explanation:

“Morose” means in a bad mood and miserable, so "sulky" is the correct answer. “Lofty” means high-up or proud; “timid” means shy and quiet; “tepid” means lukewarm when describing temperature and unenthusiastic when describing responses; and "macabre" means morbid and grotesque.

Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

Answer the following sample question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

QUEASY

Possible Answers:

uneasy

grotesque

mundane

reserved

weary

Correct answer:

uneasy

Explanation:

"Queasy" means uneasy or uncomfortable. "Grotesque" means ugly or misshapen. "Reserved" means quietly unsociable or restrained. "Mundane" means boring or day-to-day. "Weary" means tired or exhausted

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

JOVIAL

Possible Answers:

Hollow

Uncomfortable

Nuanced

Deft

Cheerful

Correct answer:

Cheerful

Explanation:

“Jovial” means jolly, friendly and "cheerful." As for the other answer choices, “uncomfortable” means slightly painful or just removing or lacking all comfort; “hollow” means containing empty space on the inside; "nuanced" means full of subtle details; and “deft” means skillful.

Example Question #55 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

DILAPIDATED

Possible Answers:

Ugly

Bruised

Battered

Inexpensive

Rubbled

Correct answer:

Battered

Explanation:

When something is dilapidated, it is run down. This does not mean that it is totally destroyed. Nevertheless, a dilapidated piece of property is in poor shape.  The word comes from roots that literally mean with stones fallen down. While such a piece of property might be inexpensive or ugly, this is not what "dilapidated" means.  "To be dilapidated" is to be in a state of disrepair or ruin. Thus, the best option is "battered." While this can be used to describe someone who has been physically injured, it also can be used to describe something that has been worn down by use or over-exposure to poor conditions. Thus, someone can have a "battered old car."

Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

IRATE

Possible Answers:

Annoyed

Angered

Vexed

Enraged

Irritated

Correct answer:

Enraged

Explanation:

For this question, you have to be very careful to match the synonym most closely. The options provided all are related to the word "irate." Note that "irate" means the state of being extremely angry. Thus, "enraged" is the best option among those provided for "irate."  All of the other ones are too weak for so strong an emotion.

Example Question #33 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

PENSIVE

Possible Answers:

Confused

Contemplative

Annoyed

Disturbed

Distracted

Correct answer:

Contemplative

Explanation:

"Pensive" is an adjective meaning performing reflection or deep and serious thought. "Contemplative" is a similar adjective meaning engaged in the act of thinking as well. The words "annoyed," "disturbed," "distracted," and "confused" are all antithetical to "pensive."

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