All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #701 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
AESTHETIC
disciplined
sanitary
attractive
affluent
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 #702 : Identifying Synonyms
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
TAWDRY
urbane
nebulous
tacky
taciturn
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 #703 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TEPID
Halfhearted
Awe-inspiring
Enthusiastic
Downcast
Frigid
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 #704 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EDIFYING
Amazing
Decreeing
Defying
Spurning
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 #705 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
GARISH
Gaudy
Rare
Modest
Succulent
Warlike
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 #706 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BENIGN
Thrilled
Mild
Severe
Aloof
Detrimental
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 #707 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
WRETCHED
Wary
Queasy
Willful
Reassuring
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 #708 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SHABBY
Miniature
Run-down
Essential
Tactful
Jubilant
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 #709 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
MUNDANE
Boring
Plausible
Common
Intelligent
Exciting
Common
The definition of "mundane" is everyday or ordinary, making "common" the only possible choice.
Example Question #710 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRODIGIOUS
supportive
monumental
harmful
jabbing
reassuring
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
