Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Questions 1 - 10
1

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

INSANE

Crazy

Sick

Disappointing

Imprisoned

Hospitalized

Explanation

The word "insane" is used to describe someone or something that is crazy. For instance, a person who has lost his or her mind would be called "insane". Such a person requires a lot of care to keep himself or herself safe. An "insane idea" is a crazy one. For example, if someone told you that they were going to try to use a pig as a parachute when jumping out of a plane, you could say that the person had an "insane idea."

2

Select the word that has most nearly the same meaning as the word in capital letters.

DEVIOUS

sneaky

unfortunate

reprehensible

suspicious

turbulent

Explanation

"Devious" is defined as showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals.

This is closest in definition to "sneaky." Although someone who is devious may be "reprehensible," meaning deserving censure or condemnation, is not a close match.

3

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DILIGENT

Attentive

Negligent

Heedless

Apathetic

Explanation

"Diligent" means putting one's whole effort into carefully doing something. "Attentive," meaning demonstrating careful thought or observation, is the best match.

4

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

AMIABLE

Friendly

Pious

Ambivalent

Responsive

Explanation

The word "amiable" means having a friendly and pleasant disposition; therefore, "friendly" is the word that most closely matches the definition of "amiable." "Ambivalent" means having mixed feelings and "pious" means extremely religious. Like "responsive," their definitions are unrelated to the meaning of "amiable," making them incorrect answers choices.

5

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

DEVOTED

Loyal

Regular

Religious

Forgotten

Friendly

Explanation

A devoted person is someone who is loyal and caring. The verb "to devote" is used to describe spending one's time on a given task. For example, we could say, "He devoted many hours to helping his mother bake cookies for Christmas." The adjective "devoted" expresses some of this same sense of "being involved;" however, it takes on the idea of being loyal. Thus, we would say something like, "He was a devoted friend, always ready to help in even the most difficult of times."

6

Synonyms: Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

PASSIONATE

Emotional

False

Engaged

Appetizing

Explanation

"Passionate" is defined as showing or caused by strong feelings or strong beliefs. The best answer choice is "emotional," since those who are "emotional" display intense feelings and are often described as being "passionate."

7

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

JOVIAL

Festive

Morose

Melancholy

Solemn

Explanation

If you are unsure what the word in capital letters means, look at the answer choices. You can eliminate any answer choices that are synonyms of one other, because there isn't more than one right answer. "Morose" and "melancholy" both mean sad, so you can eliminate them. "Solemn" can mean serious. "Festive" is the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to "jovial"; both words mean good-humored or merry.

8

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

SURLY

Impolite

Regal

Charming

Handsome

Saintly

Explanation

Surly means grumpy or impolite. To further help you, regal means like royalty; charming means pleasant, attractive, funny; handsome means attractive; saintly means religious, behaving like a saint.

9

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

HUMOROUS

Comical

Fabricated

Ceremonial

Compelling

Explanation

"Humorous" means funny or comical. The best choice is "comical" because it is part of the definition of "humorous_."_ Considering the other choices, "fabricated" means fake, "ceremonial" means formal or used in official ceremonies,and "compelling" means interesting.

10

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

TENDER

Kind

Burning

Angry

Religious

Pleasing

Explanation

The word "tender" is not "tinder," which is a small kind of wood used for building a fire. Instead, to be "tender" means that you are kind. You could say, "Bill was very tender to his wife, showing her much affection after a stressful day of work." Thus, "kind" is the best option given.

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