All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #423 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TYPICAL
Measured
Average
Surprising
Educated
Amazing
Average
The word "typical" is related to "type," meaning kind. For example, you could say, "It was the type of day that makes you very cold." This is the kind of day that makes you cold. When something is "typical" it is just as expected. Thus, a "typical winter day" is one that is just how you would expect it to be. It is average or ordinary. Hence, "average" is the best option.
Example Question #424 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SATISFACTORY
Excellent
Superb
Doubtful
Graded
Acceptable
Acceptable
The word "satisfactory" comes from the Latin for enough. When we are "satisfied," we have had enough of something. When something is "satisfactory," it is good enough. Therefore, the best answer is "acceptable." Several of the options are too positive. You cannot say that something "satisfactory" is "excellent" or "superb."
Example Question #425 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INFERIOR
Plain
Alluring
Enhanced
Unsatisfactory
Simple
Unsatisfactory
The word "inferior" comes from roots that mean below or low. When something is of "inferior quality," it is of poor quality. The only option that expresses this is "unsatisfactory," which indicates that something is not good enough.
Example Question #422 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
UNIVERSAL
Spatial
Common
Surprising
Amazing
Thorough
Common
In science, we use the word "universe" to describe everything that exits. When something is "universal," it is true everywhere. Therefore, you could say, "It is a universal opinion that everyone should brush his or her teeth at night." This means that everyone thinks this. When something is "universal" in this manner, it is common. A "common opinion" is one that is held by almost everyone.
Example Question #427 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PLAIN
Shoddy
Poor
Ordinary
Depressing
Uncultured
Ordinary
When something is "plain" it is not very complex. We might also say that it has "no frills." "Ordinary" things are normal, not too different from whatever is "normal" or "regular." In this sense, we can say that "ordinary" can be a synonym for "plain." Thus, an "ordinary dress" is one that is likely "plain."
Example Question #423 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FOUL
Expensive
surprising
Disgusting
Lazy
Domesticated
Disgusting
The word "foul" can have a number of different uses. It generally describes something that is very negative. Thus, a "foul mood" is a very bad mood. A "foul person" is someone who is very nasty. Something that is "foul" can also be something very rotten. Thus, "foul meat" is very rotten meat. From this, the word "foul" can also be used to describe the very strong odor or ugly appearance of the thing. Therefore, it can take on the meaning, "Disgusting." This is the sense in which it is being used here.
Example Question #424 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PROSPEROUS
Thriving
Invested
Respected
Popular
Famous
Thriving
Whenever someone prospers, he or she is doing well for himself or herself. Thus, a prosperous business owner is someone who has developed his or her business very extensively. Often, this means that the person who is prosperous has become wealthy. None of these options deal with wealth directly. However, "thriving" is a good synonym for "prosperous." A "thriving" business is a "prosperous" business.
Example Question #425 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FORGED
Illegal
Criminal
Stolen
Faked
Extorted
Faked
Do not be tempted by the fact that "forged" documents are often illegal. The act of "forgery" is the act of faking something, making it look as though it were official or true. For example, we can forge a signature, signing a document so that it looks like someone else actually signed it. This is a kind of "faking." Hence, the best option is "faked."
Example Question #431 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INCREDIBLE
Believable
Distracting
Formulated
Implausible
Elaborate
Implausible
The word "incredible" is related to the Latin meaning I believe. Whenever we say that something or someone is "credible", we mean that it is believable. For example, in a court case, we can say that someone is a "credible witness." This means that he or she is the kind of witness that we should believe. When something is "incredible" it is unbelievable. Sometimes, we use this word to mean "remarkable". For example, we would say, "That was an incredible fireworks show!" This means that it was really stupendous. The word "incredible" can also mean unbelievable. That is the sense of "implausible." When something is "plausible" it is probable or at least possible. Something "implausible" is just totally unlikely to be true.
Example Question #432 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
WEARIED
Fatigued
Sore
Exercised
Aching
Careful
Fatigued
When someone is "weary," he or she is tired. Some times, we are tired because we have worked very hard physically. This might tempt you to pick "sore" or "aching," but "weariness" is tiredness. Therefore, the best option is actually "fatigued," which means very tired.
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