All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #92 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SHAME
Annoy
Question
Encounter
Recognize
Humiliate
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 #93 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISPUTE
Surprise
Argument
Detest
Shouting
Hate
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 #22 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HOMICIDE
Murder
Wound
Protection
Health
Robbery
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 #23 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PROGRESS
Wait
Advance
Halt
Suspend
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 #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the word that has most nearly the same meaning as the word in capital letters.
CORDIAL
interesting
friendly
comical
persuasive
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 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
A synonym of "headstrong" is __________.
energetic
unfriendly
obstinate
tough
bossy
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 : 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.
SOLEMN:
carefree
minor
cheerful
serious
pleased
serious
Something that is solemn such as a solemn event indicates that it is serious in nature.
Example Question #4 : 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.
DISTRAUGHT:
enraged
irritated
annoyed
upset
horrified
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:
laidback
serious
enthusiastic
lazy
depressed
depressed
When someone is glum, it means that they are depressed or saddened.
Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Adjectives
A synonym of "dissatisfied" is __________.
funny
petulant
erroneous
disgruntled
pleased
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."
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All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
