All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
APPREHENSIVE
Destructive
Perceptive
Criminal
Anxious
Anxious
When you are "apprehensive," you are fearful that something negative is going to happen. You have likely heard of the word "apprehend." (If you haven't, you should use it!) The word "apprehend" means to seize or grab. It is often used when we talk about the police "apprehending a criminal," that is, seizing and grasping a criminal. An "apprehensive" state of mind is one that is "grasped by fear" or "seized by worry." Therefore, the best answer is "anxious," for when someone is anxious, he or she is quite worried.
Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
DEFLATED
Disposed
Discouraged
Encouraged
Implied
Imposed
Discouraged
“Deflated” means saddened and discouraged by some experience. To provide further help, “encouraged” means supported; “disposed” means got rid of; “imposed” means forced upon; “implied” means suggested.
Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
INTIMIDATED
Scared
Hazardous
Dominant
Stationary
Chronological
Scared
"Intimidated" means scared, frightened, or overawed, so "scared" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "intimidated": "dominant" means superior or most powerful; "stationary" means immobile or not moving; "hazardous" means unsafe or dangerous; and "chronological" means in an order based on when something occurred.
Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
A synonym of "plaintive" is __________.
celebratory
thrilling
sorrowful
moving
respected
sorrowful
"Plaintive" is an adjective that means "sounding sad and mournful." So, we need to pick out an adjective that means something similar to "sad" or "mournful." So, "celebratory" cannot be the correct answer because it is an antonym of "sad" and "mournful." "Sorrowful," however, is an adjective that means either "feeling or showing grief" or "causing grief," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "plaintive," "sorrowful" is the correct answer.
Example Question #25 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
RELUCTANT
Enthused
Unwilling
Cantankerous
Susceptible
Demonic
Unwilling
“Reluctant” means not willing, so "unwilling" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "reluctant": “cantankerous” means grumpy; “enthused” means excited; “demonic” means marked by qualities of the devil or of demons; “susceptible” means vulnerable or in danger from something specific.
Example Question #26 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
HOSTILE
Courteous
Lively
Hateful
Complicated
Hateful
The word "hostile" means not friendly or like an enemy. The best choice is "hateful," which means expressing hate or dislike of something. Considering the other choices, "complicated" means difficult to understand, "courteous" means polite, and "lively" means energetic.
Example Question #27 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CANTANKEROUS
Gassy
Tired
Grouchy
Round
Full
Grouchy
The word "cantankerous" means hard to deal with or ill-tempered. The best choice is "grouchy," which shares the same definition.
Example Question #28 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SUSPICIOUS
Unsatisfied
Reliable
Definite
Precise
Unsure
Unsure
"Suspicious" means to be "unsure" or uncertain that someone or something is what that person or thing appears or claims to be. This differs from "unsatisfied," which means not content; "reliable," which means responsible; "precise," which means exact; and "definite," which means certain.
Example Question #29 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AGGRAVATING
Terrorizing
Anxious
Spiteful
Angry
Frustrating
Frustrating
"Aggravating" means exasperating. Similarly, "frustrating" means bothersome or annoying. These words are very similar, and therefore are synonyms.
Example Question #30 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISGRUNTLED
Wrinkled
Disorderly
Upset
Obnoxious
Frustrated
Upset
To be "disgruntled" means to be dissatisfied and unhappy. To be "upset" means to be in a state of dismay. Given how similar in meaning "disgruntled" and "upset" are, "upset" is the correct answer.
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor