ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Value, and Rarity
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
DANDY
Terrific
Useful
Tasteful
Normal
One of the meanings of "dandy" is excellent. The best choice is "terrific" because it is a synonym of "excellent."
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EXCELLENT
Superb
Perfect
Flawless
Surprising
Original
It is important not to "overdo" the meaning of your word. When we say that something is "excellent," we mean to say that it is very good. This does not, however, mean that it is perfect. Therefore, you should not choose "perfect" or "flawless." Something that is "superb" is something excellent. You should know this word from the clearly related word "super." They are quite similar in meaning.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
PALTRY
Meager
Cupboard
Coin
Trial
"Paltry" means incredibly small and meaningless. "Meager" is the best choice because it also means worthless or not enough.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ELITE
Best
Snobby
Lofty
Rude
Happy
"Elite"means having superlative qualities. "Best"means better than all other options. Given how similar these words' meanings are, "best"is the synonym for "elite_._"
Synonyms: Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
VALUABLE
Expensive
Worthless
Antique
Authoritative
"Valuable" is defined as worth a great deal of money. Since "expensive" things are highly priced, "expensive" is the best answer choice. "Worthless" is an antonym of "valuable."
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INTRIGUING
Fascinating
Famous
Popular
Likeable
Intelligent
When something is intriguing, it draws your interest. It does not have to be famous or well known. It just needs to be something that is rather interesting. For example, a mysterious doorway with a weird light coming out of it might be called "intriguing". The word "fascinating" is a close synonym for "interesting." Therefore, it is the best option among those given.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SIMILAR
Alike
Identical
Equal
Agreeable
Combined
When two things are "similar," they are very much alike; however, they are not completely alike. When two things are 100% alike, they are equal or, simply, "the same." The word "similar," however, refers to things that are alike without being exactly the same. For instance, two cups could be similar in shape, though they are each a little bit different. Likewise, two shirts might have similar colors, though they are not exactly the same as each other.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
SUPERB
Excellent
Average
Poor
Outrageous
Mediocre
“Superb” means excellent or close to perfect, so "excellent" is the correct answer. To provide further help, “mediocre” means average when higher quality was expected, and “outrageous” means disgraceful and shocking.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ASTONISHING
Amazing
Disgusting
Intense
Frequent
Illegal
The verb "to astound" means "to amaze." When something is described as being "astonishing," it is amazing. Thus, we could say, "It was astonishing how quickly John made progress at learning to play the organ. In only two years, he was more skilled than most people who had taken twenty years of lessons."
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
LUCRATIVE
Advantageous
Creative
Difficult
Easy
The word "lucrative" means profitable or moneymaking. The best choice is "advantageous" because it means profitable or useful.