Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, and Variety

Help Questions

ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, and Variety

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

DEFECTIVE

Faulty

Protective

Essential

Reducing

Diminishing

Explanation

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.

2

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

BOUNTIFUL

Abundant

Restricted

Sparse

Sufficient

Superb

Explanation

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.

3

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

ABRASIVE

Coarse

Smooth

Clean

Sticky

Ugly

Explanation

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.

4

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters.

PHENOMENAL

Extraordinary

Atrocious

Dispeicable

Amicable

Understandable

Explanation

"Phenomenal" is defined as very remarkable. This is simialr to "extraordinary."

5

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

SUNDRY

Diverse

Uniform

Stuffy

Obtuse

Unique

Explanation

“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.

6

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

BIZARRE

Odd

Unstable

Neutral

Unworthy

Dignified

Explanation

"Bizarre" means strange, unusual, or odd.

7

Which word in closest in meaning to PRISTINE?

Uncorrupted

Corrupted

Gigantic

Miniscule

Urgent

Explanation

"Pristine" means clean or pure, which is closest in meaning to "uncorrupted."

8

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

EXEMPLARY

Ideal

Amazing

Famous

Legal

Overwhelming

Explanation

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.

9

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

CLASSIC

Typical

Unusual

Irritating

Extraordinary

Explanation

"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.

10

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

SOPHISTICATED

Advanced

Intermediate

Crude

Unusual

Standard

Explanation

"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.

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