ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

OPAQUE

Possible Answers:

separating

indirect

obscure

translucent

diaphanous

Correct answer:

obscure

Explanation:

When an object is "opaque," it does not allow light to pass through it. For instance, a piece of wood is opaque to sunlight, whereas a piece of clear glass is transparent. Even a “translucent” object (like cloudy glass) at least allows light through, which is not the case with an opaque object. At times, the word can be used to describe the reasoning or expressions of someone who is not being very clear in making a point. When someone is less than direct and clear in their speech, they are difficult to understand. This can also happen merely because of the complexity of the subject, which would make it difficult to “see through.”

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

ADAMANT

Possible Answers:

Contrite

Humane

Flexible

Insistent

Inopportune

Correct answer:

Insistent

Explanation:

The adjective "adamant" is etymologically related to the word "diamond"—the hardest stone. Someone who is "adamant" is "hard" in the sense of being relentless, unyielding, or insistent.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

DIRE

Possible Answers:

Impending

Angry

Destructive

Sullen

Dreadful

Correct answer:

Dreadful

Explanation:

The word “dire” is often used in an expression like “dire straits,” meaning “in great distress.” The word generally means “terrible” or “extremely serious.” Among the options given, “dreadful” is the closest to this sense. The word would be used in a sentence like, “The dire situation in American education led the legislature to enact a number of new laws to remedy the terrible performance of the students.”

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

FURTIVE

Possible Answers:

Clandestine

Lavish

Superfluous

Persistant

Infinite

Correct answer:

Clandestine

Explanation:

"Furtive" means secretive or stealthy, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; because of this, the answer choice that is its closest synonym is "clandestine," or kept secret or done secretively, especially because something is illicit.

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

PAINSTAKING

Possible Answers:

Unified

Inconsiderate

Slapdash

Exemplary

Meticulous

Correct answer:

Meticulous

Explanation:

"Painstaking" is an adjective that means meticulous or extremely careful and particular, so "meticulous" is the correct answer.

Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

SACRILEGIOUS

Possible Answers:

Serene

Pious

Blasphemous

Traditional

Gargantuan

Correct answer:

Blasphemous

Explanation:

“Sacrilegious” means disrespecting religious ideas, objects, or traditions, or in other words, "blasphemous." As for the other answer choices, “serene” means quiet and peaceful; “pious” means deeply religious; “gargantuan” means huge, gigantic, very large, or colossal; and "traditional" means adhering to established conventions without changing them.

Example Question #792 : Synonyms

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

ARRESTING

Possible Answers:

dissimilar

verbose

impactful

threatening

Correct answer:

impactful

Explanation:

Arresting means striking, eye-catching, or impactful.

Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

SYMBIOTIC

Possible Answers:

encumbering

synergistic

hindering

succinct

stringent

Correct answer:

synergistic

Explanation:

"Symbiotic" and "synergistic" both mean cooperative or concerted. "Encumbering" means hindering or slowing. "Hindering" means encumbering or burdening. "Stringent" means stringent or tight. "Succinct" means short and to the point.

Example Question #18 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

INTRINSIC

Possible Answers:

Original

Somatic

Intuitive

Mandatory

Innate

Correct answer:

Innate

Explanation:

Instrinsic traits means they are innate or fundamental to a person; they are also described as inborn and natural.

Example Question #19 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

POLARIZING

Possible Answers:

Horrifying

Extraneous

Patriotic

Elusive

Divisive

Correct answer:

Divisive

Explanation:

Although polarize has a more literal, scientific meaning relating to ionization of atoms, it is also used to refer to an opposition of beliefs; therefore "divisive" is the best synonym.

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