All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OPAQUE
separating
indirect
obscure
translucent
diaphanous
obscure
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
Contrite
Humane
Flexible
Insistent
Inopportune
Insistent
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
Impending
Angry
Destructive
Sullen
Dreadful
Dreadful
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
Clandestine
Lavish
Superfluous
Persistant
Infinite
Clandestine
"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
Unified
Inconsiderate
Slapdash
Exemplary
Meticulous
Meticulous
"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
Serene
Pious
Blasphemous
Traditional
Gargantuan
Blasphemous
“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
dissimilar
verbose
impactful
threatening
impactful
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
encumbering
synergistic
hindering
succinct
stringent
synergistic
"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
Original
Somatic
Intuitive
Mandatory
Innate
Innate
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
Horrifying
Extraneous
Patriotic
Elusive
Divisive
Divisive
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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