ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

ALLURING

Possible Answers:

Concerning

Cute

Responsible

Deliberate

Unstable

Correct answer:

Cute

Explanation:

"Alluring" is an adjective that means beautiful or attractive. The best choice is "cute," since it means attractive. Considering the other choices, "concerning" means causing worry, "unstable" means constantly changing states of being, "responsible" means able to be relied upon to complete tasks, and "deliberate" means done on purpose or working carefully.

Example Question #401 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SERENDIPITOUS

Possible Answers:

Decadent

Ordained

Coincidental

Preordained

Demonstrative

Correct answer:

Coincidental

Explanation:

“Serendipitous” means occurring by convenient chance, or "coincidental." As for the other answer choices, “ordained” means having been officially made a member of the clergy, or ordered and decreed; “preordained” means decided beforehand or predestined; “decadent” means degenerate and corrupt or very luxurious; and “demonstrative” means serving to show that something is true or tending to show emotions without reserve.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

FORLORN

Possible Answers:

Miserable

Ecstatic

Informed

Significant

Arrogant

Correct answer:

Miserable

Explanation:

"Forlorn" means miserable or sad. "Ecstatic" is the antonym; it means extremely happy. "Arrogant" means conceited or full of oneself. "Informed" means having knowledge or information regarding a topic. "Significant" means important or noteworthy.

Example Question #402 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SENSATIONAL

Possible Answers:

Condemned

Available

Astonishing

Apparent

Visible

Correct answer:

Astonishing

Explanation:

The word “sensational” does not mean merely able to be seen or something related to being sensed. Instead, it means astonishing and often shocking. When used in the latter sense, it has the connotation of causing scandal or moral judgment. The use of the word for “astonishing” can be seen in a sentence like, “The circus performance was sensational—filled with dangerous lions, fiery pits, and an eight-hundred-foot-long snake.” In the latter sense, one could say, “The crime was so sensational that its details filled the newspaper for three months.”

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

ACRIMONIOUS

Possible Answers:

Delightful

Caustic

Monotonous

Relative

Well-spoken

Correct answer:

Caustic

Explanation:

"Acrimonious" is an adjective that means "angry and bitter" and is used in particular of speech or a debate. So, we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "bitter" and refers to speech. While "well-spoken" might refer to speech, it does not mean "angry and bitter," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Caustic," however, is an adjective that can mean "able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical action" or "sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way." Because the second definition of "caustic" is similar to the meaning of "acrimonious," "caustic" is the correct answer.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

PLACID

Possible Answers:

Sociable

Calm

Cheerful

Turbulent

Troubled

Correct answer:

Calm

Explanation:

For something to be described as placid, it means it is calm and tranquil.  For example, someone with a placid disposition is calm and peaceful in nature.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

DEMURE

Possible Answers:

Proud

Mean

Brazen

Shy

Qualified

Correct answer:

Shy

Explanation:

"Demure" is an adjective that means "of a woman or her behavior: reserved, modest, and shy" or "of clothing: lending such an appearance." So, neither "brazen" nor "proud" can be the correct answer because each of those words are an antonym of "demure." Because "shy" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "demure," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #29 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ARDENT

Possible Answers:

Passionate

Melodramatic

Antagonistic

Ablaze

Covetous

Correct answer:

Passionate

Explanation:

An ardent statement means that is passionate and very enthusiastic.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

PETULANT

Possible Answers:

Esoteric

Guileless

Sullen

Florid

Extravagant

Correct answer:

Sullen

Explanation:

"Petulant" and "sullen" both mean crabby or moody. "Guileless" means honest or forthright. "Florid" means very elaborate or decorative. "Extravagant" means indulgent or wasteful. "Esoteric" means mysterious or obscure

Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

FERVENT

Possible Answers:

Apathetic

Ardent

Dispassionate

Intermittent

Virulent

Correct answer:

Ardent

Explanation:

"Fervent" and "ardent" both mean devout or passionate. "Apathetic" means uncaring or disinterested. "Dispassionate" means unfeeling or impartial. "Intermittent" means irregular or sporadic. "Virulent" means poisonous or lethal

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