ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Upper Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #91 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

INSOLENT

Possible Answers:

Poor

Conniving

Manipulative

Bankrupt

Uncivil

Correct answer:

Uncivil

Explanation:

There are two classes of wrong answers for this question. One set is trying to get you to misread "insolent" to be "insolvent." When you are "insolvent", you are bankrupt, but this is totally wrong, for the word is insolent! Now, the word "insolent" means rude. You might know an expression like "insolent brat" or "insolent fool." Thus, you would know at least that insolence is a bad character trait, but do not go from this general feeling to the conclusion that options like "manipulative" or "conniving" are correct. (These are the second set of trap answers.) Instead, "uncivil" is the best, for it is closest in meaning to "rude."

Example Question #92 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

METICULOUS

Possible Answers:

Piggish

Catastrophic

Fastidious

Achieving

Bragging

Correct answer:

Fastidious

Explanation:

The word "meticulous" describes someone who is very careful about details. The best option among those provided is "fastidious," which means nearly the same thing. For a pairing like this, it is just necessary to know the vocabulary words in order to answer the question correctly.

Example Question #93 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

DEVOTED

Possible Answers:

Sanctifying

Staunch

Regal

Elated

Religious

Correct answer:

Staunch

Explanation:

As you well know, the word "devoted" means loyal, but the options for answers given here might make you worry about this initial thought. You might think that the word has religious overtones, for related words like "devotional" and "devotions" are sometimes related to religious matters, but this is not the case for any of the main meanings of "devoted" (though it certainly is related historically to those other meanings). Now, the word "staunch" actually does mean "loyal." Just think about a somewhat familiar way of speaking: "He was a staunch defender of the new legislation." This means that he was a loyal or devoted defender of the legislation. Thus, "staunch" is the synonym needed for this question.

Example Question #94 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

ZEALOUS

Possible Answers:

Committed

Indignant

Divine

Irate

Vexed

Correct answer:

Committed

Explanation:

The word "zealous" and "zeal" come from Latin roots that mean jealous. To be "zealous" is to be energetic with regard to something. It is a kind of "jealous anger" or "jealous energy"—not so much in the sense of being envious as in the sense of desiring something intensely. Thus, a zealous person is very devoted to his or her cause and could rightly be described as being "committed," which is the best option among those provided. 

Example Question #95 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

PENSIVE

Possible Answers:

Intelligent

Egalitarian

Introspective

Foolish

Wise

Correct answer:

Introspective

Explanation:

The word "pensive" is related to the French "penser," as in the famous expression of Descartes: "Je pense donc je suis!"—"I think therefore I am!" Someone who is "pensive" is reflective and thoughtful. This does not mean that the person is necessarily deeply wise or intelligent (though this may quite well be the case). To be pensive means that you can ponder. Among the options, the best is "introspective." This means inward looking (=intro + spective). A person who is thoughtful, looks inward (so to speak) and reflects for a long time.

Example Question #96 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

DILIGENT

Possible Answers:

Fixated

Regular

Industrious

Delightful

Devoted

Correct answer:

Industrious

Explanation:

When someone is "diligent," he or she is devoted to his or her work. Now, while this would likely make you think that "devoted" would be the best option, actually "industrious" is slightly better. When someone is "industrious," he or she is works with great care and devotion. This expresses the role of work in the devotion better than the simple word "devoted." 

Example Question #97 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

THRIFTY

Possible Answers:

Economical

Stingy

Cheap

Careful

Destitute

Correct answer:

Economical

Explanation:

When someone is "thrifty," he or she is very careful with money. This does not necessarily mean that he or she is "cheap" or "stingy." Likewise, it does not mean that the person is "destitute" (poor). A wealthy person can be thrifty by buying things at a good price and not wasting his or her money. Now, "careful" may seem correct for this reason, but "economical" is better. When something is described as being "economical," it is an option that provides a good return for the amount of money spent on it. Therefore, this is the best option for a synonym for "thrifty."

Example Question #98 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

ZEALOUS

Possible Answers:

Imprisoned

Colossal

Lethargic

Fervent

Apathetic

Correct answer:

Fervent

Explanation:

"Zealous" is an adjective meaning having zeal or demonstrating energetic or fanatical support for a cause or person. "Fervent" shares the meaning of being fanatical. "Imprisoned" means held captive, "colossal" means huge, "lethargic" means tired and slow, and "apathetic" is an antonym of zealous meaning not caring at all.

Example Question #99 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

GREGARIOUS

Possible Answers:

Pungent

Sociable

Innate

Disgusting

Fertile

Correct answer:

Sociable

Explanation:

"Gregarious" means sociable or enjoying the company of others, so "sociable" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "gregarious": "innate" means natural or inherent; "disgusting" means causing revulsion or off-putting; "fertile" means productive, able to produce a lot of vegetation, or able to bear young; and "pungent" means having a powerful smell or taste.

Example Question #100 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

ELITIST

Possible Answers:

Desirable

Snobbish

Nonplussed

Petrified

Apprehensive

Correct answer:

Snobbish

Explanation:

Someone who is "elitist" is arrogant and thinks they are better than other people. The closer answer choice to this definition is "snobbish." To provide further help, "petrified" means very scared; "apprehensive" means cautious and worried; "desirable" means wanted; "nonplussed" means confused

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