All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #44 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
POIGNANT
Nostalgic
Vexing
Irritating
Sorrowful
Reminiscent
Sorrowful
The word “poignant” comes from the Latin for “to prick” or “pierce.” Something that is “poignant” pierces to the heart, often evoking emotions of sadness something that no longer exists or for some regret. For instance, an elderly person might be said to experience poignant memories of his or her youth, spent joyfully with friends who are no longer alive. Among the options provided, only “sorrowful” indicates the sadness brought about by such memories.
Example Question #45 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PUSILLANIMOUS
Valiant
Timorous
Sumptuous
Prevalent
Viable
Timorous
"Pusillanimous" and "timorous" both mean fearful or cowardly. "Valiant" means brave or courageous. "Sumptuous" means luxurious or splendid. "Viable" means reasonable or practical. "Prevalent" means accepted or widespread.
Example Question #46 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LUGUBRIOUS
Sorrowful
Congenial
Decorous
Prompt
Avuncular
Sorrowful
"Lugubrious" means sorrowful or bleak. "Decorous" means appropriate or suitable. "Congenial" means friendly or affable. "Avuncular" refers to something advisable. "Prompt" means on-time or responsive.
Example Question #47 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LACKADAISICAL
Refulgent
Inchoate
Halcyon
Apathetic
Untoward
Apathetic
"Lackadaisical" and "apathetic" both mean careless or indifferent. "Untoward" means troublesome or improper. "Refulgent" means glowing or brilliant. "Halcyon" means calm or peaceful. "Inchoate" means undeveloped or beginning.
Example Question #48 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ALOOF
Diaphanous
Feckless
Sympathetic
Haughty
Glib
Haughty
"Aloof" and "haughty" both mean remote or detached. "Sympathetic" means concerned or caring. "Feckless" means careless or without purpose. "Glib" means slick or smooth-talking. "Diaphanous" means fine or see-through.
Example Question #49 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ARDENT
Intense
Disagreeable
Dolorous
Pugnacious
Forgetful
Intense
The word “ardent” is related to “ardor,” which means passion or zeal. Both of these terms come from that Latin verb meaning to be on fire. In a sense, you can think of them as expressing “being on fire” emotionally for some project, goal, or aim. When someone is called, for example, “an ardent supporter,” he or she is a strong and zealous supporter of that cause. Likewise, when one “ardently discusses a topic,” he or she does so with great enthusiasm and vigor.
Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OVERWROUGHT
Jittery
Anxious
Overactive
Annoying
Inconsistent
Anxious
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
Hurricane
Frenzied
Overwhelmed
Blizzard
Harrying
Frenzied
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
Pitiful
Solitary
Alone
Forgotten
Emotionless
Emotionless
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
Fuming
Bewildered
Morose
Gleeful
Surprised
Gleeful
"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.
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