All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #678 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LICIT
Proscribed
Criminal
Legal
Agreeable
Commendable
Legal
For some words, it is best to use vocabulary that you likely do know so that you can come up with the meaning for a given unknown word. Thus, you likely know "illicit." This word means illegal or criminal. The prefix "il-" means not. Thus, "illicit" could be read as being not licit or not legal. The word "licit" means legal, allowed, or permitted. Thus, among the options provided, the best option is "legal."
Example Question #679 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FUNDAMENTAL
Divisive
Logical
Vital
Grounded
Edifying
Vital
The foundation of a house is the base upon which the whole thing is built. When we say that some principle is "foundational", we mean to say that it is essential and of great importance. Now, the word "vital" can mean living; however it indicates above all that something is very important. Do not be tricked by "grounded" or even "edifying". These options are trying to get you to choose something that reminds you of physical foundations. They are not direct synonyms, however.
Example Question #680 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
UNAMBIGUOUS
Clear
Impartial
Rousing
Tedious
Lengthy
Clear
You may know the word "ambiguous," which means having multiple interpretations. An ambiguous expression is one that could be understood in many different ways. Now, when something is un-ambiguous, it is not ambiguous. Therefore, this means that it is very clear and does not have multiple interpretations. Thus, the simple option "clear" is the best for this question!
Example Question #681 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
WARY
Fatigued
Suspicious
Choleric
Lethargic
Sympathetic
Suspicious
When someone is describe as being "wary," that person is cautious with regard to the things that they believe are dangerous. For instance, a person might be wary about listening to sales people, whom they suspect of lying in order to sell their products. The options "fatigued" and "lethargic" attempt to trick you into misreading "wary" as "weary," meaning tired. The best option, however, for "wary," given its meaning, is "suspicious".
Example Question #682 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SYMPATHETIC
Painful
Unpleasant
Mutual
Reciprocal
Understanding
Understanding
The word "sympathetic" literally means sharing a feeling with. The "-pathetic" portion of the word comes from the Greek pathos, meaning feeling. The "sym-" prefix means with. (A "symphony" is a kind of group that creates sounds together with one another.) Primarily, sympathy is about being able to understand someone else and feel his or her feelings. Such a feeling is indeed shared, but it is not exactly mutual or indeed not "reciprocal" usually. The essence of sympathy is understanding and "co-feeling." Therefore, this is the best option among those given.
Example Question #683 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INCONGRUOUS
Unsuited
Fitting
Pernicious
Abrasive
Apt
Unsuited
Incongruous means not continuous with, not appropriate for. To provide further help, "fitting" and "apt" are synonyms of one another and antonyms of "incongruous" - both words mean appropriate. "Pernicious" means harmful; "abrasive" means rude and aggressive.
Example Question #684 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IMPERATIVE
Necessary
Likely
Unwise
Unlikely
Unnecessary
Necessary
Something that is "imperative" is highly necessary. So, if you want to do well on any test you take it is "imperative" that you practice. To provide further help, "unwise" means not wise, foolish. The prefix un- is a negating prefix. This means it takes the original meaning of the word "wise" and causes it to mean the opposite "not wise."
Example Question #685 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PAROCHIAL
Ponderous
Limited
Posh
Heavenly
Naive
Limited
"Parochial" means having a limited worldview, provincial. So the best answer choice is "limited." To provide further help, "posh" means wealthy and refined; "ponderous" means slow moving, boring; "naive" means gullible, easily tricked into believing lies; "heavenly" means lovely, divine.
Example Question #686 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EQUIVOCAL
Vague
Stubborn
Obstinate
Impatient
Obvious
Vague
Equivocal means ambiguous, unclear, hazy, vague. To provide further help, "obstinate" means stubborn, inflexible.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety
BIZARRE
Usual
Sociable
Odd
Dreadful
Sloppy
Odd
"Bizarre" means strange or odd. Usual is the antonym; it means ordinary or common. "Sociable" means friendly and eager to interact and speak with other people. "Sloppy" means careless and not cautious. "Dreadful" means causing great fear.
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