ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, and Variety

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

EXHILARATING

Possible Answers:

Hazardous

Invigorating

Infectuous

Stubborn

Dangerous

Correct answer:

Invigorating

Explanation:

When something is exhilarating, it is exciting or thrilling. This does not mean that it is dangerous, though dangerous things are often exhilarating precisely because of their dangerous nature. Thus, the best option is "invigorating." "Vigor" is energy or enthusiasm. To say that something is "invigorating" is to say that it fills one with energy. Something that is exhilarating does this insofar as it is exciting. Thus, this is the best option among those provided.

Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

INFERIOR

Possible Answers:

Minimalistic

Rare

Deficient

Intelligible

Simple

Correct answer:

Deficient

Explanation:

When something is "inferior," it is beneath something else. (That "higher" thing is said to be "superior.") The word can be used to describe people. Thus a worker is the "inferior" to his or her boss. The word can also be used to describe things that are deficient in quality. Thus, you could say, "The corn that I bought yesterday was of inferior quality." This means that it was not as good as it could be. The options "minimalistic" and "simple" attempt to have you choose incorrectly. Something that is inferior is subpar or sub-standard. Neither "minimalistic" nor "simple" express this kind of deficiency. Hence, "deficient" is by far the best option among those provided.

Example Question #33 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

REVOLTING

Possible Answers:

Disquieted

Progressive

Rotting

Irritated

Nauseating

Correct answer:

Nauseating

Explanation:

Something that is "revolting" is disgusting. Now, this could also be the present participle of the verb "revolt," meaning to rebel, but none of the options presented match that meaning. Therefore, we are looking for something that is akin to "disgusting." While something that is "rotting" is likely to be disgusting, this is not the same being revolting, as "rotting" refers to a specific process of organic decay, not the feeling produced by that process. The only option that provides a direct synonym is "nauseating," which describes something that is sickening (in the way that something revolting is sickening).

Example Question #34 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

PROGRESSIVE

Possible Answers:

Exacting

Technical

Developing

Governmental

Detrimental

Correct answer:

Developing

Explanation:

The word "progressive" can be used as an adjective to describe a process that changes one step at a time. To make progress literally means "to step forward." (The word "gradual" comes from the same Latin root.) Additionally, the word can also be used to describe something that has already made such progress—a progressive idea is one that is forward-thinking. For this question, the only option that functions as an adequate synonym is "developing." If someone has a progressive disease it is "developing" (in the sense of increasing in its strength and the damage that it is doing).

Example Question #721 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MUTUAL

Possible Answers:

Common

Delightful

Studious

Expository

Partisan

Correct answer:

Common

Explanation:

When something is "mutual" it is held by multiple people. For example, three people could have a "mutual hatred" for corn on the cob. This hatred is common to each of the members of the group. We also speak of a "mutual enemy". This very clearly means "common enemy." Thus, "common" is the most obvious choice for this question.

Example Question #35 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

EXTENSIVE

Possible Answers:

Pensive

Expensive

Urbane

Exhaustive

Plaintive

Correct answer:

Exhaustive

Explanation:

The adjective "extensive" describes something that covers a large area—whether literally or metaphorically. An extensive plot of land is a very large plot of land. An extensive collection of books "covers" many topics and authors. Extensive knowledge "covers" many topics. (You can think of it meaning that each of these "extends" over a large area.) Now, this does not mean that something that is "extensive" completely covers its given "area;" however, it can seem close to being complete. The word "exhaustive" means comprehensive. At least among the options provided here, this is by far the best.

Example Question #723 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FRAGILE

Possible Answers:

Fractured

Glassy

Cheap

Shattered

Delicate

Correct answer:

Delicate

Explanation:

The word "fragile" means weak or easily broken. Now, most of your options are likely tempting, for they remind you of glass, which is easily broken, but the only option that directly indicates a kind of fragility or weakness is "delicate." When something is "delicate," it is not very strong. Sometimes, we speak of "delicate health" in someone who is sickly. We can also speak of a "delicate situation," meaning that the situation could fall apart easily.

Example Question #724 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TAINTED

Possible Answers:

Murderous

Poisoned

Intoxicated

Mixed

Polluted

Correct answer:

Polluted

Explanation:

When something is tainted, it loses its purity. For instance, a water supply can be tainted by having small amounts of paint poured into as well as small amounts of soda. In both cases, the water supply loses its purity. Tainting does not have to do with poison necessarily, so be careful not to choose an answer based on this. Instead, the best option is "polluted," which can apply to any kind of the actions mentioned above as examples of tainting.

Example Question #725 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SUPERFLUOUS

Possible Answers:

Outrageous

Exorbitant

Unnecessary

Overwhelming

Tedious

Correct answer:

Unnecessary

Explanation:

The word "superfluous" comes from Latin roots that literally mean overflowing. (The "super-" prefix means "over or above" and "-fluous" clearly means "flowing.") When something is "superfluous," it is excessive or beyond one's current needs. While such things could be "overwhelming" or even outragous / exorbitant, they are always unnecessary. Thus, this simple word is the best option for this question!

Example Question #726 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EXTEMPORANEOUS

Possible Answers:

Remedied

Improvised

Supplanted

Partitioned

Forestalled

Correct answer:

Improvised

Explanation:

"Extemporaneous" means done without preparation, improvised. To provide further help, "partitioned" means divided, split into multiple regions; "forestalled" means delayed; "supplanted" means replaced; "remedied" means fixed

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