ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

UNKEMPT

Possible Answers:

Lost

Smelly

Unattractive

Rare

Messy

Correct answer:

Messy

Explanation:

Something that is "unkempt" is disorderly and disorganized in appearance. The word from the answer choices that most closely means this is "messy," which is therefore the correct answer.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

SHROUDED

Possible Answers:

Dark

Covered

Sugary

Unhappy

Strict

Correct answer:

Covered

Explanation:

"Shrouded" means cloaked or veiled. Thus, something that is "shrouded" is "covered," making "covered" the best synonym. While something that is "shrouded" may be "dark," those words are not the same in meaning. Therefore, "dark" is a tempting wrong answer choice. 

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

PRISTINE

Possible Answers:

Confusing

Spotless

Self-assured

Dirty

Marred

Correct answer:

Spotless

Explanation:

Have you ever been in a friend's house that seems almost too clean? Or walked by a lawn that was perfectly manicured? In situations like these, you could use the adjective "pristine," which means perfectly clean or untouched. The best choice for a synonym is clearly "spotless," which could also describe an impeccably clean environment. Both "dirty" and "marred" are antonyms, and "self-assured" simply describes a confident or assertive person.

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

AROMA

Possible Answers:

Taste

Appearance

Sound

Texture

Smell

Correct answer:

Smell

Explanation:

The “aroma” of something is how it smells, so one could say that a flower has a nice aroma.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

FRAGRANT

Possible Answers:

Soft

Sweet

Nauseating

Aromatic

Delicious

Correct answer:

Aromatic

Explanation:

Something that is "fragrant" has a "fragrance," another word for a smell or an aroma. Therefore, "aromatic" is the correct answer, as both "fragrant" and "aromatic" mean nice-smelling.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

DILAPIDATED

Possible Answers:

Ramshackle

Sturdy

Lucky

Ingenious

Clean

Correct answer:

Ramshackle

Explanation:

"Dilapidated" means not maintained over time and therefore run-down and in poor condition, so "ramshackle," which means run-down, is the correct answers. None of the other answer choices is close in meaning to "dilapidated."

Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

HANDSOME

Possible Answers:

Attractive

Careful

Foolish

Persistent

Worrisome

Correct answer:

Attractive

Explanation:

“Handsome” means attractive and good looking, and in contemporary usage, it is most often used to describe a man. So, "attractive" is the correct answer.

Example Question #25 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

SLENDER

Possible Answers:

Dreary

Slim

Clever

Resolute

Pointed

Correct answer:

Slim

Explanation:

“Slender” means skinny or "slim." As for the other answer choices, the word “clever” means quick-witted; “resolute” means determined; "dreary” means drab in appearance and causing sadness; and "pointed" means coming to a sharp, narrow tip.

Example Question #26 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

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

MURKY

Possible Answers:

Clear

Mighty

Dark

Intentional

Sore

Correct answer:

Dark

Explanation:

Something that is “murky” is dismal and dark, so "dark" is the correct answer. So, water might be “murky” if it were very dirty. “Murky” is also the opposite of “clear,” which means transparent and unclouded. “Sore” means in pain due to overexertion of muscles; “intentional” means done on purpose; and “mighty” means strong.

Example Question #27 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance And Sensory Imagery

A synonym of "hardy" is __________.

Possible Answers:

clear

expensive

firm

rugged

cheap

Correct answer:

rugged

Explanation:

"Hardy" is an adjective that means "robust; capable of enduring difficult conditions," or when used of a plant, "able to survive outside during winter." One might assume that "firm" is the best answer because "hardy" contains the word "hard," but "hardy" does not mean the same thing as "hard," so "firm" cannot be the correct answer. One meaning of "rugged," however, is " having or requiring toughness and determination." Because "rugged" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "hardy," "rugged" is the correct answer.

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