ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, and Variety
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DEFECTIVE
Faulty
Protective
Essential
Reducing
Diminishing
When something is "defective," it does not function as it should. Therefore, a computer keyboard that doesn't have all of its keys could be called "defective," and we could also call a car with a broken engine "defective." Something that is "faulty" is something with problems like this. The word "faulty" does not have to do with personal faults but with general problems or "faults," as when something does not function properly.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
BOUNTIFUL
Abundant
Restricted
Sparse
Sufficient
Superb
To be "bountiful" is to have plenty of something or have an "abundance" of it. "Restricted" is the antonym of abundance and indicates having a small amount. "Superb" means excellent in quality; "sufficient" means having enough; and "sparse" means having a small quantity.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ABRASIVE
Coarse
Smooth
Clean
Sticky
Ugly
An "abrasive" is something scratchy and is usually used to help smooth an object or clean something. Sandpaper is abrasive as are the scratchy sides of sponges used to clean dishes. "Smooth" is an antonym to "abrasive." "Clean" means free of dirt. "Sticky" is an adjective describing a gummy or adhesive texture. "Ugly" is an adjective describing an unsightly person or object.
Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters.
PHENOMENAL
Extraordinary
Atrocious
Dispeicable
Amicable
Understandable
"Phenomenal" is defined as very remarkable. This is simialr to "extraordinary."
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SUNDRY
Diverse
Uniform
Stuffy
Obtuse
Unique
“Sundry” is an adjective that means “of various kinds; several,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “of various kinds.” That means that “uniform” cannot be the correct answer, because “uniform” can mean “of a similar form to another,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “sundry.” “Diverse,” however, is an adjective that means “showing a lot of variety,” and because “diverse” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “sundry,” “diverse” is the correct answer.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BIZARRE
Odd
Unstable
Neutral
Unworthy
Dignified
"Bizarre" means strange, unusual, or odd.
Which word in closest in meaning to PRISTINE?
Uncorrupted
Corrupted
Gigantic
Miniscule
Urgent
"Pristine" means clean or pure, which is closest in meaning to "uncorrupted."
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EXEMPLARY
Ideal
Amazing
Famous
Legal
Overwhelming
Whenever something is "exemplary," it is excellent. Indeed, the word itself can help us understand its meaning. An "exemplary" thing sets a very good example in some particular way. Thus, such a thing or person provides an "ideal." For example, an exemplary student is someone who is an ideal student whom others should imitate.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
CLASSIC
Typical
Unusual
Irritating
Extraordinary
"Classic" is an adjective meaning traditional or typical, so the answer choice closest in meaning to "classic" is "typical," an adjective meaning representative of a certain type. Considering the other answer choices, "unusual" is an antonym of "classic" and means abnormal or not typical, "irritating" means annoying, and "extraordinary" means beyond what is normal.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SOPHISTICATED
Advanced
Intermediate
Crude
Unusual
Standard
"Sophisticated" is an adjective that can be used to describe either machinery, technology, or people. It means advanced, modern, not crude. To provide further help, "crude" means basic, lacking detail and sophistication; "unusual" means not normal; "standard" means normal, common; "intermediate" means middle, mid-way, transitional.