All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #101 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISTINGUISHED
Frivolous
Portly
Eminent
Permissive
Comely
Eminent
"Distinguished" is an adjective used to describe a person who is accomplished, famous and eminent within their field. To provide further help, "permissive" means tolerant; "portly" means fat; "comely" means cute; "frivolous" means wasted, not necessary.
Example Question #102 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FORMIDABLE
Timorous
Daunting
Reticent
Pusillanimous
Bestial
Daunting
"Formidable" means imposing and daunting. To provide further help, "reticent" means reserved; "timorous" means timid, easily frightened; "pusillanimous" means cowardly; "bestial" means savage, like a beast.
Example Question #103 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
UNCTUOUS
Fawning
Acute
Obtuse
Nominal
Abstruse
Fawning
"Unctuous" means excessively ingratiating, fawning, someone who debases themselves for someone else's approval. To provide further help, "abstruse" means hard to understand; "obtuse" means dim-witted, not smart; "acute" means sharp, quick-witted; "nominal" means insignificant.
Example Question #104 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CRAVEN
Generous
Haughty
Cowardly
Miserly
Parsimonious
Cowardly
Someone who is "craven" is cowardly and pathetic. To provide further help, "miserly" and "parsimonious" are synonyms, both words mean stingy, not generous with money. Finally, "haughty" means arrogant, bold and disdainful towards others.
Example Question #105 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IRASCIBLE
Detestable
Petulant
Sinewy
Regal
Malleable
Petulant
"Irascible" means irritable, quick-tempered, easily angered. This is closest in meaning to "petulant," which means bad-tempered, badly-behaved. To provide further help, "sinewy" means strong and muscular; "detestable" means deserving of hatred; "malleable" means flexible, easily changed; "regal" means of or related to royalty.
Example Question #106 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MORDANT
Dejected
Hapless
Scathing
Raucous
Bestial
Scathing
"Mordant" means having a harsh and critical tone, scathing, caustic. To provide further help, "bestial" means savage, like a beast; "hapless" means unlucky, hopeless, useless; "dejected" means very sad; "raucous" means loud and out of control.
Example Question #107 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PERSPICACIOUS
Alluring
Gauche
Factious
Pretentious
Discerning
Discerning
"Perspicacious" means discerning and astute, able to notice things that others would not. To provide further help, "factious" means causing disagreement; "gauche" means tacky and unrefined, lacking grace; "alluring" means attractive, appealing; "pretentious" means trying to impress others by exaggerating one's characteristics or by being fake and trendy.
Example Question #108 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
RETICENT
Painstaking
Assiduous
Withdrawn
Confident
Arduous
Withdrawn
"Reticent" means shy, reserved, withdrawn. To provide further help, "arduous" and "painstaking" both describe a challenging or difficult task; "assiduous" means industrious, hard working.
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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
