All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #503 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IRASCIBLE
Tenacious
Cantankerous
Wary
Mirthful
Opaque
Cantankerous
"Irascible" means cantankerous or crabby. "Tenacious" means strong-willed or determined. "Wary" means careful or cautious. "Opaque" means clouded, muddy, or hard to understand. "Mirthful" means merry or playful.
Example Question #504 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SACCHARINE
Frigid
Abashed
Munificent
Mundane
Cloying
Cloying
"Saccharine" means something cloying or sickeningly sweet. "Munificent" means generous or giving. "Abashed" means confused or embarassed. "Mundane" means ordinary or humdrum. "Frigid" means frozen or exceptionally cold.
Example Question #505 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRODIGAL
Gluttonous
Wasteful
Amazing
Famous
Talented
Wasteful
You might confuse “prodigal” with “prodigy” or “prodigious.” The former means “being very talented,” especially when that person is very young. For instance, one can speak of Mozart as being a “child prodigy,” having shown great musical talent from his youth. Something “prodigious” is impressive and of great magnitude. When something is “prodigal,” it is “great” in the sense of being wasteful. The Biblical story about the “Prodigal Son” is about a son who spends all of his money wastefully before coming home to seek forgiveness. He is called “prodigal” because of this wastefulness.
Example Question #41 : Hspt Verbal Skills
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SAGACIOUS
Astute
Arrogant
Barefaced
Complaisant
Effluent
Astute
"Sagacious" and "astute" both mean smart or judicious. "Arrogant" means haughty or overly proud. "Barefaced" means shameless or open. "Complaisant" means agreeable or easy-going. "Effluent" means drainage or outflow.
Example Question #2442 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IMPERIOUS
Abashed
Detached
Overbearing
Military
Underneath
Overbearing
“Imperious” means overbearing, domineering, and assertive, so "overbearing" is the correct answer. “Underneath” means under or beneath; “detached” means not connected to when describing physical objects and dispassionate when describing people; “abashed” means embarrassed; and "military" means having to do with a country's official armed forces.
Example Question #506 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DEFT
Abject
Benign
Dextrous
Wily
Gregarious
Dextrous
Because "deft" means "neatly skillful and quick in one's movements," we're looking for a word that means "skillful" and specifically has to do with physical movement. While "wily" does involve skill, it does not refer to physical skill, but instead means "skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully." Dextrous, on the other hand, means "demonstrating neat skill, especially with one's hands," and is the closest synonym to "deft" of the listed answer choices.
Example Question #732 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
METICULOUS
Extinct
Impolite
Hazardous
Diligent
Sly
Diligent
“Meticulous” means very careful and diligent, especially with a particular project, so "diligent" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “impolite” means rude; “extinct” means no longer in existence due to having died out entirely; "sly" means sneaky and full of guile; and "hazardous" means dangerous or having the potential to cause someone harm.
Example Question #733 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OBDURATE
Discerning
Stubborn
Enlightened
Resolute
Considerate
Stubborn
“Obdurate” means stubborn, intransigent, and not likely to change one’s mind, so "stubborn" is the correct answer. “Enlightened” means having a rational perspective and open-minded; "considerate" means thinking of other people's feelings when making decisions; “discerning" means perceptive and astute; “resolute” means determined, unwavering, sticking to something.
Example Question #734 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ALOOF
Familiar
Detached
Attached
Distracted
Attracted
Detached
Someone who is “aloof” is emotionally distant and detached from others, so "detached" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “attached” means connected to; “distracted” means having one's attention taken by something other than what one is are focused on; “attracted” means drawn towards; and “familiar” means well-known to you.
Example Question #735 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CANTANKEROUS
Elegant
Crotchety
Grieving
Grim
Extraneous
Crotchety
“Cantankerous” means surly and ill-tempered, so "crotchety," which means irascible, is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “elegant” means sophisticated; “extraneous” means more than what is unnecessary; “grieving” means mourning the loss of something or someone; “grim” means uninviting, harsh, and depressing.
All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
