ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1001 : Synonyms

A synonym of "eccentric" is __________.

Possible Answers:

quirky

conventional

miraculous

inconsiderate

blatant

Correct answer:

quirky

Explanation:

"Eccentric" is an adjective that is used of a person or their behavior and means "unconventional and slightly strange." So, we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "unconventional." "Conventional," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "conventional, which means "based on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed," is an antonym, not a synonym, of "unconventional." "Quirky," however, is an adjective that means "characterized by peculiar or unexpected traits," and because "quirky" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "eccentric," "quirky" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1002 : Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

ADEPT

Possible Answers:

Skilled

Tropical

Frigid 

Stifling

Challenging 

Correct answer:

Skilled

Explanation:

To be adept at something is to be skilled or good at it. To further help you, tropical means having a warm and wet climate; frigid means very cold; stifling means very hot and restrictive; challenging means difficult.

Example Question #1003 : Synonyms

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

 

CAPTIVATING

Possible Answers:

Policing

Enchanting

Enjoyable

Illegal

Correct answer:

Enchanting

Explanation:

When something is "captivating," it is able to take someone "captive"—at least figuratively speaking. That is, it captures your attention because of its forcefully interesting character. Sometimes, the word can be used as a positive description of someone (a captivating personality). Generally speaking, the best use of the term is one that indicates forceful capturing of attention. Therefore, the best option among those provided is "enchanting." Something "enchanting" is very attractive or charming. Such enchanting things are able to capture someone's attention as well. Hence, they are rightly called "captivating."

Example Question #391 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

BRAZEN

Possible Answers:

Bold

Nervous

Embarrassed

Confused

Powerless

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 #392 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

FICKLE

Possible Answers:

Constant

Truthful

Inconstant

Friendly

Persuasive

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 #393 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

AVID

Possible Answers:

Indifferent

Eager

Apathetic

Passionless

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 #394 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

PRESUMPTUOUS

Possible Answers:

Justified

Apt

Ashamed

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 #395 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

ADAPTIVE

Possible Answers:

Shy

Careful

Flexible

Charming

Sneaky

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 #396 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

DEFT

Possible Answers:

Confusing

Harmful

Skillful

Overt

Unclear

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 #397 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

CHATTY

Possible Answers:

Fluent

Distant

Casual

Belligerent

Talkative

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."

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