All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #122 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SHAME
Humiliate
Encounter
Recognize
Annoy
Question
Humiliate
When we feel "shame," we feel embarrassed. The word "shame" can be used as a verb as well. We can say, "He shamed her for her actions." This means that he made her feel embarrassed. In other words, he "humiliated" her for her actions.
Example Question #123 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISPUTE
Argument
Detest
Hate
Shouting
Surprise
Argument
Note that the word "dispute" can be used either as a noun or as a verb. As a verb, it means to argue or to disagree about something. The noun version basically means the actual argument or disagreement. Thus, for this question, the only option that works is "argument." Although disputes can involve anger and shouting, none of these options are directly about disputes as such. Thus, the simple noun "argument" is the best option!
Example Question #171 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HOMICIDE
Health
Protection
Murder
Robbery
Wound
Murder
The suffix "-cide" comes from Latin and means kill; it is found in English words like "patricide" (the killing of a father), "regicide," (the killing of a king), and "fratricide" (the killing of a brother). So, it makes sense that “homicide,” a combination of roots meaning man ("homo") and kill ("-cide") means the killing of a person, or "murder." As for the other answer choices, a "wound" is a physical injury; "health" is one's well-being, often specifically physical; "robbery" is an act of theft; and "protection" is something that defends its user against something else.
Example Question #172 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PROGRESS
Halt
Wait
Suspend
Advance
Discontinue
Advance
Words that contain the syllable "-gress" often have something to do with stepping or going somewhere, so it makes sense that "progress" means move forward, proceed, or "advance." "Halt" means stop and "discontinue" means stop something, usually something done often, and "suspend" means pause. All of these words are antonyms of “progress” and “advance.”
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives
Select the word that has most nearly the same meaning as the word in capital letters.
CORDIAL
friendly
persuasive
comical
interesting
jubilant
friendly
"Cordial" is defined as warm and sincere. "Cordially" is commonly used at the end of letters, in place of "sincerely." "Friendly" is the closest match because warmth and sincerity are associated with friendliness.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Synonyms
A synonym of "headstrong" is __________.
energetic
unfriendly
bossy
tough
obstinate
obstinate
"Headstrong" is an adjective that means "not willing to do what other people want: very stubborn." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that is also an adjective and means something like "stubborn." While "tough" might look like a potentially correct answer because "tough" is a synonym of "strong," and "headstrong" contains the word "strong," "tough" does not mean "stubborn," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Obstinate," however, means "stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so." Because "obstinate" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "headstrong," "obstinate" is the correct answer.
Example Question #3 : Identifying Synonyms
Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SOLEMN:
serious
carefree
pleased
minor
cheerful
serious
Something that is solemn such as a solemn event indicates that it is serious in nature.
Example Question #4 : Identifying Synonyms
Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISTRAUGHT:
upset
annoyed
horrified
irritated
enraged
upset
If someone is distraught, it means they are highly distressed and upset.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GLUM:
enthusiastic
lazy
serious
laidback
depressed
depressed
When someone is glum, it means that they are depressed or saddened.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
A synonym of "dissatisfied" is __________.
disgruntled
petulant
erroneous
pleased
funny
disgruntled
"Dissatisfied" is an adjective that means "not content or happy with something." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not happy with something." So, "pleased" cannot be the correct answer, because "pleased" is an antonym of "dissatisfied," not a synonym. "Disgruntled," however, is an adjective that means "angry or dissatisfied," so "disgruntled" is the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to "dissatisfied."