All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
FORLORN
Ecstatic
Significant
Miserable
Arrogant
Informed
Miserable
"Forlorn" means miserable or sad. "Ecstatic" is the antonym; it means extremely happy. "Arrogant" means conceited or full of oneself. "Informed" means having knowledge or information regarding a topic. "Significant" means important or noteworthy.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SENSATIONAL
Astonishing
Available
Visible
Condemned
Apparent
Astonishing
The word “sensational” does not mean merely able to be seen or something related to being sensed. Instead, it means astonishing and often shocking. When used in the latter sense, it has the connotation of causing scandal or moral judgment. The use of the word for “astonishing” can be seen in a sentence like, “The circus performance was sensational—filled with dangerous lions, fiery pits, and an eight-hundred-foot-long snake.” In the latter sense, one could say, “The crime was so sensational that its details filled the newspaper for three months.”
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ACRIMONIOUS
Delightful
Caustic
Monotonous
Well-spoken
Relative
Caustic
"Acrimonious" is an adjective that means "angry and bitter" and is used in particular of speech or a debate. So, we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "bitter" and refers to speech. While "well-spoken" might refer to speech, it does not mean "angry and bitter," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Caustic," however, is an adjective that can mean "able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical action" or "sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way." Because the second definition of "caustic" is similar to the meaning of "acrimonious," "caustic" is the correct answer.
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PLACID
Sociable
Troubled
Turbulent
Calm
Cheerful
Calm
For something to be described as placid, it means it is calm and tranquil. For example, someone with a placid disposition is calm and peaceful in nature.
Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DEMURE
Qualified
Proud
Mean
Shy
Brazen
Shy
"Demure" is an adjective that means "of a woman or her behavior: reserved, modest, and shy" or "of clothing: lending such an appearance." So, neither "brazen" nor "proud" can be the correct answer because each of those words are an antonym of "demure." Because "shy" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "demure," it is the correct answer.
Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ARDENT
Antagonistic
Melodramatic
Passionate
Ablaze
Covetous
Passionate
An ardent statement means that is passionate and very enthusiastic.
Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PETULANT
Guileless
Extravagant
Sullen
Florid
Esoteric
Sullen
"Petulant" and "sullen" both mean crabby or moody. "Guileless" means honest or forthright. "Florid" means very elaborate or decorative. "Extravagant" means indulgent or wasteful. "Esoteric" means mysterious or obscure.
Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FERVENT
Virulent
Dispassionate
Apathetic
Intermittent
Ardent
Ardent
"Fervent" and "ardent" both mean devout or passionate. "Apathetic" means uncaring or disinterested. "Dispassionate" means unfeeling or impartial. "Intermittent" means irregular or sporadic. "Virulent" means poisonous or lethal.
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CONTRITE
Disingenuous
Supreme
Corporeal
Remorseful
Cerebral
Remorseful
If you are “contrite,” it means you are honest about your feelings of regret and guilt over something you have done wrong. This is very similar in meaning to “remorseful.” “Disingenuous” means not candid or insincere and dishonest; “supreme” means best of all; “corporeal” means relating to the body; and “cerebral” means relating to the mind or, when used to describe a person, intelligent.
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ECSTASY
Joy
Demeanor
Confusion
Sorrow
Memory
Joy
“Ecstasy” is a feeling of deep joy and happiness, so "joy" is the best answer. As for the other answer choices, “sorrow" is an antonym of “ecstasy” and means deep sadness; and "demeanor" means manner or appearance.
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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
