All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #401 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ALLURING
Responsible
Deliberate
Cute
Concerning
Unstable
Cute
"Alluring" is an adjective that means beautiful or attractive. The best choice is "cute," since it means attractive. Considering the other choices, "concerning" means causing worry, "unstable" means constantly changing states of being, "responsible" means able to be relied upon to complete tasks, and "deliberate" means done on purpose or working carefully.
Example Question #401 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SERENDIPITOUS
Preordained
Decadent
Coincidental
Demonstrative
Ordained
Coincidental
“Serendipitous” means occurring by convenient chance, or "coincidental." As for the other answer choices, “ordained” means having been officially made a member of the clergy, or ordered and decreed; “preordained” means decided beforehand or predestined; “decadent” means degenerate and corrupt or very luxurious; and “demonstrative” means serving to show that something is true or tending to show emotions without reserve.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
FORLORN
Arrogant
Informed
Significant
Miserable
Ecstatic
Miserable
"Forlorn" means miserable or sad. "Ecstatic" is the antonym; it means extremely happy. "Arrogant" means conceited or full of oneself. "Informed" means having knowledge or information regarding a topic. "Significant" means important or noteworthy.
Example Question #402 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SENSATIONAL
Visible
Astonishing
Apparent
Condemned
Available
Astonishing
The word “sensational” does not mean merely able to be seen or something related to being sensed. Instead, it means astonishing and often shocking. When used in the latter sense, it has the connotation of causing scandal or moral judgment. The use of the word for “astonishing” can be seen in a sentence like, “The circus performance was sensational—filled with dangerous lions, fiery pits, and an eight-hundred-foot-long snake.” In the latter sense, one could say, “The crime was so sensational that its details filled the newspaper for three months.”
Example Question #403 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ACRIMONIOUS
Caustic
Well-spoken
Delightful
Monotonous
Relative
Caustic
"Acrimonious" is an adjective that means "angry and bitter" and is used in particular of speech or a debate. So, we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "bitter" and refers to speech. While "well-spoken" might refer to speech, it does not mean "angry and bitter," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Caustic," however, is an adjective that can mean "able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical action" or "sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way." Because the second definition of "caustic" is similar to the meaning of "acrimonious," "caustic" is the correct answer.
Example Question #404 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PLACID
Calm
Troubled
Cheerful
Turbulent
Sociable
Calm
For something to be described as placid, it means it is calm and tranquil. For example, someone with a placid disposition is calm and peaceful in nature.
Example Question #405 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DEMURE
Shy
Brazen
Proud
Qualified
Mean
Shy
"Demure" is an adjective that means "of a woman or her behavior: reserved, modest, and shy" or "of clothing: lending such an appearance." So, neither "brazen" nor "proud" can be the correct answer because each of those words are an antonym of "demure." Because "shy" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "demure," it is the correct answer.
Example Question #406 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ARDENT
Passionate
Covetous
Antagonistic
Melodramatic
Ablaze
Passionate
An ardent statement means that is passionate and very enthusiastic.
Example Question #407 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PETULANT
Guileless
Esoteric
Florid
Extravagant
Sullen
Sullen
"Petulant" and "sullen" both mean crabby or moody. "Guileless" means honest or forthright. "Florid" means very elaborate or decorative. "Extravagant" means indulgent or wasteful. "Esoteric" means mysterious or obscure.
Example Question #402 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FERVENT
Dispassionate
Virulent
Apathetic
Ardent
Intermittent
Ardent
"Fervent" and "ardent" both mean devout or passionate. "Apathetic" means uncaring or disinterested. "Dispassionate" means unfeeling or impartial. "Intermittent" means irregular or sporadic. "Virulent" means poisonous or lethal.
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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
