All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #101 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
LACONIC
Representative
Egalitarian
Stern
Portly
Concise
Concise
The people of ancient Sparta (a region also called Lakonia) were known for sparing their words. Today the word "laconic," meaning concise or succinct communication, keeps the memory of the ancient Spartan concision alive in the English language.
Example Question #34 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
STOIC
tedious
boring
resigned
placed
exhausted
resigned
The word “stoic” is taken from a school of Greek and Roman philosophy that emphasized the need of being detached from emotions and unmoved by the fortunes of life. When someone is said to be “stoic” or “stoical,” he or she is being described as “accepting things as they come in a calm manner.” When someone is “resigned,” he or she accepts something that is undesirable precisely because he or she cannot alter the situation.
Example Question #2411 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TRACTABLE
Obstinate
Eclectic
Manageable
Loquacious
Vacuous
Manageable
"Tractable" and "manageable" both mean controllable or easily grasped. "Obstinate" means stubborn or determined. "Eclectic" means diverse or varied. "Loquacious" means talkative. "Vacuous" means empty or unintelligent.
Example Question #2411 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VERBOSE
Venerable
Pejorative
Succinct
Venturesome
Loquacious
Loquacious
"Verbose" and "loquacious" both mean wordy or long-winded. "Succinct" means brief or to the point. "Venturesome" means courageous or adventurous. "Venerable" means respected or esteemed. "Pejorative" means negative or belittling.
Example Question #2412 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
RELIABLE
Friendly
Gregarious
Repeatable
Plodding
Dependable
Dependable
This question is meant to make you over-think your answer. The word “reliable” is very common, but do not be fooled by the options given to you. We often think of someone who is reliable as being friendly, willing, and many other positive descriptions. While this might be the case at times, the strictest sense of “reliable” (i.e. the sense that most directly applies to our question here) is "dependable” or trustworthy. The former is the answer to this question in particular. We speak of “reliable” people and things when we wish to express that we can “count on them,” that is, when we know that they will function when the necessary time arrives.
Example Question #482 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LACONIC
Sullen
Trite
Terse
Tempered
Verbose
Terse
The word “laconic” is very rare, but it means “speaking in a brief manner.” It is derived from the Greek region Lacedaemonia, in which were located the Spartans. As a warrior people, they were known for being rather “short” in their speech—practical people, cut and dry. The word “laconic” is derived from this. The only option that expresses such brevity is “terse.”
Example Question #483 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CONNIVING
Superlative
Surly
Emaciated
Colluding
Jaundiced
Colluding
"Conniving" and "colluding" both mean to plot or scheme. "Jaundiced" means tainted or prejudiced. "Superlative" means excellent or first-class. "Emaciated" means undernourished or thin. "Surly" means gruff or boorish.
Example Question #42 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
RECLUSIVE
Reciprocal
Hermitlike
Resolute
Gregarious
Garrulous
Hermitlike
"Reclusive" and "hermitlike" both mean unsociable. "Gregarious" means friendly and sociable. "Garrulous" means talkative. "Resolute" means determined or strong-willed. "Reciprocal" means exchanged or alternating.
Example Question #101 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INCORRIGIBLE
Pragmatic
Emboldened
Ponderous
Indelible
Recidivous
Recidivous
"Incorrigible" means recidivous or incapable or being corrected. "Emboldened" means encouraged or invigorated. "Indelible" means indestructible or unable to be erased. "Ponderous" means heavy or weighty. "Pragmatic" means sensible, practical, or logical.
Example Question #101 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MISANTHROPIC
Reclusive
Amoral
Childish
Sickly
Extroverted
Reclusive
A misanthrope is somewhat like a scrooge: someone who is antisocial and avoids human society; therefore "reclusive," which is a word for someone who acts like a bit of a hermit and spends most of his or her time away from others, is the correct answer.
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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
