ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, and Movement

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement

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

PASSÉ

Possible Answers:

Modern

Continual

Measurable

Exuberant

Outdated

Correct answer:

Outdated

Explanation:

"Passé" is an adjective that means "no longer fashionable; out of date," so we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "no longer fashionable" or "out of date." "Modern," then cannot be the correct answer because "modern" is an antonym of "passé," not a synonym. "Outdated," however, is an adjective that means "out of date; obsolete," and because it is the answer choir that is closest in meaning to "passé," "outdated" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement

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

SPONTANEOUS

Possible Answers:

Contentious

Deliberate

Importune

Impromptu

Premeditated

Correct answer:

Impromptu

Explanation:

"Spontaneous" and "impromptu" both mean impulsive or unplanned. "Deliberate" means intentional or calculated. "Premeditated" means planned or intended. "Contentious" means quarrelsome or combative. "Importune" means to demand or insist

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement

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

YOUNG

Possible Answers:

Idyllic

Ill

Juvenile

Excessive

Belligerent

Correct answer:

Juvenile

Explanation:

The word "young" is an adjective that means being in the early stages of growth or immature. The best choice here is "juvenile" since it shares the same definition as "young"—immature. Considering the other choices, "ill" is an adjective that means physically sick, "excessive" means being in too large of a quantity or more than is needed, "idyllic" means ideally charming or romantic, and "belligerent" means eager to fight.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement

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

TRANSITORY

Possible Answers:

Foreign

Expedited

Impermanent

Nomadic

Explosive

Correct answer:

Impermanent

Explanation:

“Transitory” means impermanent or not lasting, so "impermanent" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “nomadic” means living a lifestyle in which one wanders and does not live in one place; "expedited" means hastened; "foreign" means originating in a country different from one's own; and “explosive” means volatile or likely to explode like a bomb.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement

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

WIZENED

Possible Answers:

Lofty

Aged

Serene

Haughty

Sage

Correct answer:

Aged

Explanation:

“Wizened” means very old and wrinkled with age, so "aged" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “sage” means wise when used as an adjective; “serene” means quiet and peaceful; “lofty” means high and proud; and “haughty” means arrogant.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement

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

WANTON

Possible Answers:

Dormant

Overzealous

Predictable

Random

Mercurial

Correct answer:

Random

Explanation:

“Wanton” means random, but it also can mean cruel and malicious. Most commonly it is used to mean random and destructive, so "random" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “mercurial” means changing emotions, decisions, or plans on a whim; “predictable” means easily anticipated; “dormant” means inactive or asleep; and “overzealous” means too passionate or overly enthusiastic.

Example Question #252 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters. 

EXTANT

Possible Answers:

contemporary

ephemeral

diffident

equivocal

extinct

Correct answer:

contemporary

Explanation:

"Extant" and "contemporary" both mean existing in the present. "Extinct" means dead or obsolete. "Diffident" means hesitant or unconfident. "Ephemeral" means momentary or passing. "Equivocal" means doubtful or uncertain

Example Question #253 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

IMMINENT

Possible Answers:

Innate

Pristine

Indigent

Inherent

Impending

Correct answer:

Impending

Explanation:

Do not confuse the word “imminent” with “immanent,” which means “being within something” or “innate.” The word “imminent” means “something that will occur very soon.” For instance, it would be used in a sentence like, “While many believed that another world war was unlikely to happen in the next several months, John sincerely thought such a danger was imminent.”

Example Question #254 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ANTIQUATED

Possible Answers:

Extraordinary

Atrocious

Ornate

Attributable

Outmoded

Correct answer:

Outmoded

Explanation:

Antiquated, while it sounds like antique, refers to something being old or outdated, not beautiful and detailed. So in this set, the best answer would be outmoded, which means worn out or old.

Example Question #255 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

NASCENT

Possible Answers:

Willful

Experienced

Foolish

Incipient

Miraculous

Correct answer:

Incipient

Explanation:

"Nascent" is an adjective that means "just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential," and is especially used to refer to a process or organization. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something lie "just coming into existence." "Experienced," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "experienced" means "having knowledge or skill in a particular field, especially a profession or job, gained over a period of time," making "experienced" an antonym of "nascent," not a synonym. "Incipient," however, is an adjective that means either "in an initial stage; beginning to happen or develop," or when used of a person, "developing into a specified type or role." Because "incipient" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "nascent," "incipient" is the correct answer.

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