All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #323 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
AESTHETIC
affluent
sanitary
disciplined
attractive
attractive
"Aesthetic" describes something having to do with beauty. Be careful not to confuse it with similar sounding words like "ascetic" (harshly disciplined) or "aseptic" (sanitary).
Example Question #324 : 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.
TAWDRY
tacky
urbane
taciturn
nebulous
sophisticated
tacky
"Tawdry" and "tacky" both mean cheap or tasteless. "Sophisticated" means refined or elegant. "Nebulous" means confused or obscure. "Taciturn" means uncommnicative. "Urbane" means cosmopolitan or sophisticated.
Example Question #325 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TEPID
Halfhearted
Enthusiastic
Frigid
Awe-inspiring
Downcast
Halfhearted
"Tepid" takes on one of its two meanings in this question. "Tepid" can mean lukewarm, but it can also mean halfhearted or indifferent. This question uses the secondary meaning of tepid and the best answer choice is halfhearted.
Example Question #326 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EDIFYING
Amazing
Spurning
Decreeing
Defying
Improving
Improving
The word “edifying” is related to the English “edifice,” meaning building. Most strictly, “to edify” means to improve someone intellectually or morally. It is often used in the sense of “improvement” in general, though this is a secondary usage. Bearing this qualification in mind, “improving” is still the best option among those given. One can speak of “edification” when describing the instruction itself, as in, “He provided edification to the young man in order to improve his moral behavior.”
Example Question #327 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
GARISH
Modest
Succulent
Rare
Warlike
Gaudy
Gaudy
Something that is "garish" is excessively and crudely showy. "Gaudy" carries the same sense of being tastelessly flashy. "Modest" is an antonym.
Example Question #328 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BENIGN
Thrilled
Aloof
Severe
Detrimental
Mild
Mild
If something is benign such as the weather, it indicates that it is mild. In the case of weather, benign conditions are the opposite of inclement weather.
Example Question #329 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
WRETCHED
Queasy
Willful
Reassuring
Wary
Deplorable
Deplorable
"Wretched" and "deplorable" both mean terrible or miserable. "Reassuring" means bolstering or cheerful. "Willful" means stubborn or obstinate. "Wary" means careful or cautious. "Queasy" means uncomfortable or fidgety.
Example Question #330 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SHABBY
Run-down
Jubilant
Miniature
Tactful
Essential
Run-down
"Shabby" means run-down or in worn-out condition. "Tactful" means acting with skill and delicacy in dealing with other people's issues. "Essential" means required or very important. "Jubilant" means very happy and joyful. "Miniature" means a smaller version.
Example Question #331 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
MUNDANE
Boring
Plausible
Intelligent
Exciting
Common
Common
The definition of "mundane" is everyday or ordinary, making "common" the only possible choice.
Example Question #332 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRODIGIOUS
supportive
reassuring
monumental
harmful
jabbing
monumental
The word “prodigious” is related to the same root word as “prodigy,” which is often used to describe a person who has great skills. For instance, many people talked of Mozart as a “child prodigy” because he could play the piano with great skill at a young age. When something is “prodigious,” it is impressive, magnificent, or at least grand in scope or degree. Among the options provided, “monumental” best captures this sense.
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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
