All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #478 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INTRICATE
Simple
Unified
Straightforward
Complicated
Complicated
The adjective "intricate" refers to something that is complex or nuanced. It is sometimes used to describe physical complexity (like an intricate system of highways), but also applies to ideas that may be difficult to grasp. "Complicated" is the clear synonym here. Of the remaining choices, both "straightforward" and "simple" are antonyms of the given word, since they convey a lack of complexity. "Unified" is used to describe groups that have been united or brought together.
Example Question #479 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRECISE
Serious
Incomplete
Exact
Immature
Careless
Exact
The adjective "precise" refers to an extremely accurate or specific measurement or assessment. "Exact," which also refers to an accurate or correct quantity, is our answer. "Careless" is clearly incorrect, since it describes something that is sloppy and unlikely to be perfectly measured. You might use the word "immature" to describe a person who acts unusually young and inexperienced; neither this term nor "incomplete" (unfinished) is related to the given word.
Example Question #481 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the synonym.
Enchanting
Dreadful
Confusing
Delectable
Dueling
Discouraging
Delectable
Both enchanting and delectable can be defined as highly pleasing.
Discouraging, dueling, and dreadful are antonyms to enchanting.
Something enchanting may or may not be confusing, so that does not work either.
Example Question #482 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
HEINOUS
Benign
Benevolent
Generous
Evil
Evil
"Heinous" means shockingly evil. "Benign" means harmless, while "generous" means giving, and "benevolent" means good. If you can figure out that "benign," "generous," and "benevolent" all have similar meanings and are not synonyms of "heinous," you can narrow down the answer to "evil."
Example Question #483 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
CONTRARY
Cooperative
Wary
Opposite
Stubborn
Similar
Opposite
"Contrary" means opposite or willfully refusing to agree, so "opposite" is the correct answer. You can also figure this out by thinking of the phrase "on the contrary," which is used to introduce information that considers the topic of conversation from an opposing viewpoint. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "contrary": "cooperative" means working together toward a common goal; "stubborn" means refusing to change one's mind even when given good evidence or reasons to do so; and "wary" means cautious or careful.
Example Question #46 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives
Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
OMINOUS
Obnoxious
Auspicious
Sorrowful
Menacing
Menacing
The word "ominous" means threatening or suggesting that something bad is going to happen; therefore, "menacing," which also means threatening, is the word that most closely matches the definition of "ominous." "Auspicious," which means favorable or promising, is the opposite of "ominous," and therefore incorrect. "Sorrowful," which means feeling or showing sadness, and "obnoxious" are unrelated to the definition of "ominous" and therefore also incorrect.
Example Question #484 : Identifying Synonyms
A synonym of "contrary" is . . .
opposite
similar
judicious
surprising
purposeful
opposite
"Contrary" is an adjective that means "opposite in nature, direction, or meaning," so we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "opposite." "Similar" cannot be the correct answer because "similar" is an antonym of "opposite," but because "opposite" is one of the answer choices, and the answer choice closest in meaning to "contrary," "opposite" is the correct answer.
Example Question #485 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
DEFICIENT
Obsolete
Courteous
Negative
Lacking
Positive
Lacking
Deficient means lacking or missing something. To further help you, courteous means polite; obsolete means no longer useful or out of date; negative means bad; positive means good.
Example Question #486 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
SUBLIME
Magnificent
Last
Secondary
Subordinate
Subsidiary
Magnificent
"Sublime" means awe-inspiring or overwhelmingly magnificent. "Magnificent" is the best match because it means impressive or spectacular.
Example Question #487 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
CONTRARY
Diabolical
Encouraging
Manipulating
Supporting
Opposing
Opposing
“Contrary” is similar in meaning to "opposing." It is commonly heard in the expression, “on the contrary,” meaning in opposition to what someone is saying. To provide further help, “encouraging” means offering support; “manipulating” means controlling or tricking; “diabolical” means evil. You could say that someone who is always trying to “manipulate” others is very “diabolical.”
All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
