ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Lower Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #1004 : Synonyms

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

BRAZEN

Possible Answers:

Nervous

Embarrassed

Confused

Powerless

Bold

Correct answer:

Bold

Explanation:

When you hear the word "brazen," you might think of the similar-sounding word "brave." The terms are similar, as both refer to fearless behavior, but "brazen" is a little bit more specific. While a brave person might be courageous in a number of situations, someone who acts in a brazen manner is shameless about doing things that would make other people embarrassed. "Bold," a word that can indicate both confidence and a disregard for rules, is our best choice here. Someone who feels shamelessly confident would not be "embarrassed," "nervous," or "powerless," so those choices are incorrect.

Example Question #1005 : Synonyms

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

FICKLE

Possible Answers:

Constant

Truthful

Persuasive

Inconstant

Friendly

Correct answer:

Inconstant

Explanation:

"Fickle" is an adjective that means "changing frequently, especially as regards one's loyalties, interests, or affection," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "changing frequently." "Constant," then, cannot be the correct answer because "constant" is an antonym of "changing frequently." "Inconstant," however, is an adjective that means either "frequently changing; variable or irregular," or when used of a person or their behavior, "not faithful and dependable." Because "inconstant" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "fickle," "inconstant" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1006 : Synonyms

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

AVID

Possible Answers:

Passionless

Apathetic

Eager

Indifferent

Correct answer:

Eager

Explanation:

If you have heard "avid" used in phrases like "an avid sportsman," you might be able to figure out that "avid" means eager, or very interested in something. So, "eager" is the correct answer. "Apathetic," "indifferent," and "passionless" are all antonyms, or opposites, of "avid."

Example Question #1007 : Synonyms

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

PRESUMPTUOUS

Possible Answers:

Apt

Ashamed

Justified

Audacious

Bubbly

Correct answer:

Audacious

Explanation:

"Presumptuous" is an adjective that is used of a person or their behavior and means "failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not appropriate." "Apt," then, cannot be the correct answer because "apt" means "appropriate or suitable in the circumstances," making it an antonym, not a synonym of "presumptuous." "Audacious," however, is an adjective that means either "showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks," or "showing an impudent lack of respect." Because "audacious" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "presumptuous," "audacious" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1008 : Synonyms

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

ADAPTIVE

Possible Answers:

Charming

Shy

Flexible

Sneaky

Careful

Correct answer:

Flexible

Explanation:

Someone who is "adaptive" is good at adjusting to his or her surroundings. Someone who is "flexible" is able to accommodate different types of situations. Therefore, "adaptive" is most similar to "flexible."

Example Question #841 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DEFT

Possible Answers:

Unclear

Harmful

Overt

Confusing

Skillful

Correct answer:

Skillful

Explanation:

Someone who is “deft” is very skillful at a particular activity. Something that is “harmful” is damaging. Something that is “overt” is obviouspalpable, or not at all hidden.

Example Question #842 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CHATTY

Possible Answers:

Casual

Talkative

Distant

Belligerent

Fluent

Correct answer:

Talkative

Explanation:

"Chatty" is the adjectival form of the word "chat," which means talk casually about relatively unimportant subjects. Someone who is "chatty" likes to chat, so they are "talkative." "Fluent" may look like a potentially correct answer, but someone "fluent" in a language is able to speak that langauge very well, so it is not close in meaning to "chatty."

Example Question #843 : Identifying Synonyms

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

STERN

Possible Answers:

Envious

Fair

Serious

Pompous

Unkind

Correct answer:

Serious

Explanation:

Someone who is “stern” is very strict and serious, so "stern" is closest in meaning to “severe,” a word that means very serious.

Example Question #844 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WITTY

Possible Answers:

Difficult

Silly

Desirable

Clever

Spontaneous

Correct answer:

Clever

Explanation:

Someone who is "witty" is able to say clever things that are funny and entertaining. Therefore, "clever" is the correct answer.

Example Question #845 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GREGARIOUS

Possible Answers:

Rude

Shy

talkative

Introspective

Eager

Correct answer:

talkative

Explanation:

Do you have a friend who is always happiest in large groups, or loves to talk to others more than anything else? Such a person would be "gregarious," or extremely social. "Talkative" certainly shares a similar meaning, so it is our correct choice. "Shy" is the opposite of "gregarious," and the same goes for "introspective," or deeply thoughtful and reflective. Finally, a "rude" person is impolite, not necessarily social or talkative.

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