All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #101 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISTINGUISHED
Comely
Eminent
Frivolous
Permissive
Portly
Eminent
"Distinguished" is an adjective used to describe a person who is accomplished, famous and eminent within their field. To provide further help, "permissive" means tolerant; "portly" means fat; "comely" means cute; "frivolous" means wasted, not necessary.
Example Question #102 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FORMIDABLE
Reticent
Bestial
Daunting
Timorous
Pusillanimous
Daunting
"Formidable" means imposing and daunting. To provide further help, "reticent" means reserved; "timorous" means timid, easily frightened; "pusillanimous" means cowardly; "bestial" means savage, like a beast.
Example Question #103 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
UNCTUOUS
Obtuse
Acute
Fawning
Nominal
Abstruse
Fawning
"Unctuous" means excessively ingratiating, fawning, someone who debases themselves for someone else's approval. To provide further help, "abstruse" means hard to understand; "obtuse" means dim-witted, not smart; "acute" means sharp, quick-witted; "nominal" means insignificant.
Example Question #104 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CRAVEN
Miserly
Cowardly
Parsimonious
Haughty
Generous
Cowardly
Someone who is "craven" is cowardly and pathetic. To provide further help, "miserly" and "parsimonious" are synonyms, both words mean stingy, not generous with money. Finally, "haughty" means arrogant, bold and disdainful towards others.
Example Question #105 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IRASCIBLE
Detestable
Petulant
Sinewy
Regal
Malleable
Petulant
"Irascible" means irritable, quick-tempered, easily angered. This is closest in meaning to "petulant," which means bad-tempered, badly-behaved. To provide further help, "sinewy" means strong and muscular; "detestable" means deserving of hatred; "malleable" means flexible, easily changed; "regal" means of or related to royalty.
Example Question #106 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MORDANT
Dejected
Bestial
Raucous
Hapless
Scathing
Scathing
"Mordant" means having a harsh and critical tone, scathing, caustic. To provide further help, "bestial" means savage, like a beast; "hapless" means unlucky, hopeless, useless; "dejected" means very sad; "raucous" means loud and out of control.
Example Question #107 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PERSPICACIOUS
Factious
Alluring
Discerning
Pretentious
Gauche
Discerning
"Perspicacious" means discerning and astute, able to notice things that others would not. To provide further help, "factious" means causing disagreement; "gauche" means tacky and unrefined, lacking grace; "alluring" means attractive, appealing; "pretentious" means trying to impress others by exaggerating one's characteristics or by being fake and trendy.
Example Question #108 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
RETICENT
Painstaking
Assiduous
Arduous
Confident
Withdrawn
Withdrawn
"Reticent" means shy, reserved, withdrawn. To provide further help, "arduous" and "painstaking" both describe a challenging or difficult task; "assiduous" means industrious, hard working.
All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
