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 #101 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

DISTINGUISHED

Possible Answers:

Frivolous

Comely

Portly

Eminent

Permissive

Correct answer:

Eminent

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Pusillanimous

Reticent

Timorous

Daunting

Bestial

Correct answer:

Daunting

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Fawning

Obtuse

Acute

Nominal

Abstruse

Correct answer:

Fawning

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Haughty

Generous

Miserly

Parsimonious

Cowardly

Correct answer:

Cowardly

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Petulant

Malleable

Detestable

Sinewy

Regal

Correct answer:

Petulant

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Raucous

Hapless

Scathing

Bestial

Dejected

Correct answer:

Scathing

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Alluring

Gauche

Factious

Discerning

Pretentious

Correct answer:

Discerning

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Painstaking

Arduous

Withdrawn

Assiduous

Confident

Correct answer:

Withdrawn

Explanation:

"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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