All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #44 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SAGACIOUS
Complaisant
Astute
Barefaced
Arrogant
Effluent
Astute
"Sagacious" and "astute" both mean smart or judicious. "Arrogant" means haughty or overly proud. "Barefaced" means shameless or open. "Complaisant" means agreeable or easy-going. "Effluent" means drainage or outflow.
Example Question #121 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IMPERIOUS
Military
Detached
Overbearing
Underneath
Abashed
Overbearing
“Imperious” means overbearing, domineering, and assertive, so "overbearing" is the correct answer. “Underneath” means under or beneath; “detached” means not connected to when describing physical objects and dispassionate when describing people; “abashed” means embarrassed; and "military" means having to do with a country's official armed forces.
Example Question #122 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DEFT
Wily
Dextrous
Gregarious
Abject
Benign
Dextrous
Because "deft" means "neatly skillful and quick in one's movements," we're looking for a word that means "skillful" and specifically has to do with physical movement. While "wily" does involve skill, it does not refer to physical skill, but instead means "skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully." Dextrous, on the other hand, means "demonstrating neat skill, especially with one's hands," and is the closest synonym to "deft" of the listed answer choices.
Example Question #131 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
METICULOUS
Extinct
Impolite
Sly
Diligent
Hazardous
Diligent
“Meticulous” means very careful and diligent, especially with a particular project, so "diligent" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “impolite” means rude; “extinct” means no longer in existence due to having died out entirely; "sly" means sneaky and full of guile; and "hazardous" means dangerous or having the potential to cause someone harm.
Example Question #132 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OBDURATE
Considerate
Enlightened
Discerning
Stubborn
Resolute
Stubborn
“Obdurate” means stubborn, intransigent, and not likely to change one’s mind, so "stubborn" is the correct answer. “Enlightened” means having a rational perspective and open-minded; "considerate" means thinking of other people's feelings when making decisions; “discerning" means perceptive and astute; “resolute” means determined, unwavering, sticking to something.
Example Question #133 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ALOOF
Familiar
Attached
Distracted
Detached
Attracted
Detached
Someone who is “aloof” is emotionally distant and detached from others, so "detached" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “attached” means connected to; “distracted” means having one's attention taken by something other than what one is are focused on; “attracted” means drawn towards; and “familiar” means well-known to you.
Example Question #134 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CANTANKEROUS
Extraneous
Grim
Elegant
Grieving
Crotchety
Crotchety
“Cantankerous” means surly and ill-tempered, so "crotchety," which means irascible, is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “elegant” means sophisticated; “extraneous” means more than what is unnecessary; “grieving” means mourning the loss of something or someone; “grim” means uninviting, harsh, and depressing.
Example Question #135 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PUGNACIOUS
Diaphanous
Insincere
Opaque
Merciless
Quarrelsome
Quarrelsome
"Pugnacious" derives from the Latin for "to fight," so it makes sense that "pugnacious" means eager to fight, argumentative, or "quarrelsome." As for the other answer choices, “merciless” means having no mercy, not stopping for anyone, relentless, and ruthless; “diaphanous” means transparent, very delicate, and fine; “insincere” means dishonest; and “opaque” means not transparent and blocking light from passing through.
Example Question #72 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MUTABLE
Sensible
Unreasonable
Audible
Invariable
Changeable
Changeable
“Mutable” means subject to change or "changeable." As for the other answer choices, “invariable” means unchanging; “audible” means able to be heard; “sensible” means reasonable and making good decisions; and “unreasonable” means not based on good sense and logic.
Example Question #71 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MAGNANIMOUS
Malevolent
Benevolent
Colloquial
Incoherent
Submissive
Benevolent
Someone who is “magnanimous” is generous and charitable, or "benevolent." As for the other answer choices, “malevolent” means wicked and unkind; “colloquial” means conversational or using language unique to a certain region; “incoherent” means unable to be understood; and “submissive” means listening to others and doing what they want without arguing.
All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
