Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

SULLEN

Gloomy

Angry

Bashful

Hopeful

Reserved

Explanation

If something is sullen, it means it is gloomy. For instance, teenagers are quite sullen and moody to the dismay of their parents.

2

A synonym of "nonchalant" is . . .

unconcerned

excited

friendly

irresponsible

quiet

Explanation

"Nonchalant" is an adjective that refers to a person or manner and means "feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not worried" or "not interested." While "irresponsible" may look like a potentially correct answer choice simply because both "nonchalant" and "irresponsible" begin with negative prefixes, "irresponsible" means "not responsible" and is not similar in meaning to "nonchalant," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Unconcerned," however, means "showing a lack of worry or interest, especially when this is surprising or callous." Because "unconcerned" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "nonchalant," "unconcerned" is the correct answer.

3

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

LIVID

Angered

Sullen

Morose

Apathetic

Bashful

Explanation

If someone is "livid," they are extremely angered by a situation or person in particular. So, "angered" is the correct answer.

4

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

FRENZIED

Wild

Cold

Outspoken

Elated

Enraged

Explanation

A "frenzy" is a wild situation, filled with a lot of energy, excitement, and disorder. When someone is "frenzied," he or she has uses lot of such energy and thus is rightly described as being "wild." We might say, "Because of all the work he had to do that night, Bill was in a frenzied state, quickly passing from one task to another with little attention or care." Someone who is "frenzied" does not have to be "angry," though often an angry person might become frenzied in his or her demeanor!

5

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

ACRID

Bitter

Sweet

Fanciful

Definite

Incidental

Explanation

"Acrid" is an adjective that can mean either "having an irritatingly strong and unpleasant taste or smell" or "angry and bitter." While "sweet" can also describe the taste of something, it has positive connotations and does not mean the same thing as "acrid," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Bitter," however, can men "having a sharp, pungent taste or smell; not sweet" or "angry, hurt, or resentful because of one's bad experiences or a sense of unjust treatment." Because the meanings of "acrid" and "bitter" are synonymous on multiple levels, "bitter" is the best answer choice.

6

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

POIGNANT

Memorable

Hurtful

Pointed

Distorted

Explanation

"Poignant" means evoking a keen emotion. Therefore, something that is "poignant" is "memorable," as it has the ability to evoke keen emotions. "Pointed" means sharp or filed and is not a synonym of "poignant." "Distorted" means warped, which is also not a synonym of "poignant." While something that is "hurtful" might have the potential to be "poignant," the words are not synonyms because they do no mean the same thing. "Poignant" refers to evoking emotions, while something that is "hurtful" alludes to physical or emotional pain.

7

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

TURBULENT

Tumultuous

Orderly

Repetitive

Meandering

Blunt

Explanation

"Turbulent" is an adjective that can mean either "characterized by conflict, disorder, or confusion; not controlled or calm," or when speaking of air or water, "moving unsteadily or violently." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "characterized by disorder" or "moving violently." "Orderly," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "orderly," which means "neatly and methodically arranged" or "of a person or group: well behaved; disciplined," is an antonym of "turbulent," not a synonym. "Tumultuous," however, is an adjective that means either "making a loud, confused noise; uproarious," or "excited, confused, or disorderly." Because "tumultuous" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "turbulent," "tumultuous" is the correct answer.

8

Synonyms: choose the word closest in meaning to the word in question.

INDIGNANT

Irate

Ignorant

Native

Reluctant

Petty

Explanation

"Indignant" is an adjective that means angry or outraged because of not being treated fairly. "Ignorant" means not knowledgeable about or aware of something, "native" means indiginous, "reluctant" means unwilling to do something, and "petty" means trivial, so none of these potential answer choices can be correct because none of them mean angry. "Irate" is the only word that means angry, so "irate" is the correct answer.

9

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

EXUBERANT

Ebullient

Morbid

Weighty

Inconsiderate

Watery

Explanation

"Exuberant" is an adjective that means"filled with or characterized by a lively energy and excitement." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "energetic" or "excited." While "morbid," like "exuberant," describes an emotional state, it cannot be the correct answer because "morbid" means "characterized by or appealing to an abnormal and unhealthy interest in disturbing and unpleasant subjects, especially death and disease." "Ebullient," however, is an adjective that means "cheerful and full of energy," and because "ebullient" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "exuberant," "ebullient" is the correct answer.

10

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

APPREHENSIVE

Anxious

Pacific

Stubborn

Immaculate

Dutiful

Explanation

"Apprehensive" means anxious or worried about something, so "anxious" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "apprehensive": "pacific" means peaceful and non-violent; "stubborn" means unwilling to change's one mind despite contrary evidence; "immaculate" means extremely clean; and "dutiful" means responsible and willing to fulfill one's duties and tasks.

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