All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #617 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FAMISHED
Neglected
Dying
Tedious
Ravenous
Hungry
Ravenous
The word "famished" describes someone who is extremely hungry. For this reason, the option "ravenous" is a much better option than "hungry," for "ravenous" means exactly what you need for this question—very hungry. Perhaps you have heard of someone being said to have a "ravenous appetite". This means that he or she has a very large appetite.
Example Question #618 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HINDER
Impede
Trace
Detract
Placate
Expose
Impede
You likely know the word "hinder" as meaning to make (something) difficult. Thus, if stones were to roll across a major mountain road, such a situation would hinder the flow of traffic. The word "impede" means to delay by adding to the difficulty of a situation. It comes from the same Latin roots as the word "foot," actually. (Think of related words like "pedal" and "pedestrian".) It literally means to place on the foot—im + pede. If you placed something on your foot, it certainly would impede your travel!
Example Question #619 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DESTITUTE
Impoverished
Disheartened
Conquered
Depressed
Excluded
Impoverished
When someone is in a state of "destitution," he or she is in a state of absolute poverty, so much so that he or she cannot provide for day-to-day living. Thus, the adjective "destitute" describes such a person. While none of the options describe extreme poverty, "impoverished" is the only one that indicates the state of lacking money. Hence, this is the best option among those provided.
Example Question #241 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MUNIFICENT
Mordant
Pervasive
Obtuse
Political
Magnanimous
Magnanimous
"Munificent" is an adjective meaning overly generous or philanthropic. "Magnanimous" is a close synonym meaning especially kind or generous. "Obtuse" means stubborn or foolish, "mordant" means biting, or critical and is often associated with dry humor, "political" means having to do with government, and "pervasive" means common or deeply ingrained.
Example Question #242 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PARCHED
Maudlin
Tired
Thirsty
Hungry
Energetic
Thirsty
"Parched," when used to describe a person means very thirsty. "Parched," when used to describe the land means dried up, lacking water. To provide further help, "maudlin" means overly sentimental.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
UTTERLY
Formerly
Faithfully
Completely
Seldom
Gingerly
Completely
“Utterly” means completely and is often heard in the redundant phrase “completely and utterly.” As for the other answer choices, “faithfully” means loyally; "gingerly" means with delicacy and care; "seldom" means infrequently; and "formerly" means previously.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PASSÉ
Modern
Continual
Measurable
Exuberant
Outdated
Outdated
"Passé" is an adjective that means "no longer fashionable; out of date," so we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "no longer fashionable" or "out of date." "Modern," then cannot be the correct answer because "modern" is an antonym of "passé," not a synonym. "Outdated," however, is an adjective that means "out of date; obsolete," and because it is the answer choir that is closest in meaning to "passé," "outdated" is the correct answer.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SPONTANEOUS
Contentious
Deliberate
Importune
Impromptu
Premeditated
Impromptu
"Spontaneous" and "impromptu" both mean impulsive or unplanned. "Deliberate" means intentional or calculated. "Premeditated" means planned or intended. "Contentious" means quarrelsome or combative. "Importune" means to demand or insist.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
YOUNG
Excessive
Juvenile
Ill
Belligerent
Idyllic
Juvenile
The word "young" is an adjective that means being in the early stages of growth or immature. The best choice here is "juvenile" since it shares the same definition as "young"—immature. Considering the other choices, "ill" is an adjective that means physically sick, "excessive" means being in too large of a quantity or more than is needed, "idyllic" means ideally charming or romantic, and "belligerent" means eager to fight.
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TRANSITORY
Foreign
Expedited
Impermanent
Nomadic
Explosive
Impermanent
“Transitory” means impermanent or not lasting, so "impermanent" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “nomadic” means living a lifestyle in which one wanders and does not live in one place; "expedited" means hastened; "foreign" means originating in a country different from one's own; and “explosive” means volatile or likely to explode like a bomb.
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