ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives and Adverbs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #161 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

RESOLUTE

Possible Answers:

Waffling

Unfaltering

Just

Baffling

Loud

Correct answer:

Unfaltering

Explanation:

"Resolute" is an adjective that means "admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "unwavering." "Waffling," then, cannot be the correct answer because "waffling" means "failing to make up one's mind," so "waffling" is an antonym of "resolute," not a synonym. "Unfaltering," however, is an adjective that means "not faltering; steady; resolute." Because "unfaltering" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "resolute," "unfaltering" is the correct answer.

Example Question #777 : Synonyms

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

TENACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Determined

Courageous

Argumentative

Passionate

Humble

Correct answer:

Determined

Explanation:

"Tenacious" means determined, or unwilling to give up. Therefore, the word with the closest meaning to "tenacious" is "determined."

Example Question #778 : Synonyms

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

STEADFAST

Possible Answers:

Talkative

Faithful

Quick

Frivolous

Nervous

Correct answer:

Faithful

Explanation:

"Steadfast" is an adjective that means firm and unwavering. "Faithful" is the best choice because it means firm in one's loyalty. Considering the other choices, "bent" means physically pressed out of shape,"quick" means done in little time, and "frivolous" means having little importance.

Example Question #779 : Synonyms

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

BASHFUL

Possible Answers:

Jealous

Secret

Obliterated

Beautiful

Coy

Correct answer:

Coy

Explanation:

"Bashful" is an adjective that means shy. The best choice is "coy" because it has a similar definition—flirtatiously shy. Considering the other choices, "obliterated" means destroyed, "jealous" means feeling resentment out of desire for another person's success or belongings, "beautiful" means very aesthetically pleasant, and "secret" means known only to one person or few people.

Example Question #780 : Synonyms

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

TACITURN

Possible Answers:

Reserved

Extravagant

Eloquent

Outgoing

Limber

Correct answer:

Reserved

Explanation:

“Taciturn” means quiet, reserved, and not saying much, so "reserved" is the correct answer; “outgoing” means loud and sociable; “extravagant” means fancy and expensive; "limber" means able to bend and stretch one's body; and “eloquent” means well-spoken.

Example Question #162 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

BOISTEROUS

Possible Answers:

Docile

Stubborn

Lively

Enlightened

Lax

Correct answer:

Lively

Explanation:

“Boisterous” means loud, full of life, and energetic, so "lively" is the correct answer. “Enlightened” means wiseknowledgeable, or informed about something; “docile” means quiet, peaceful, and non-threatening; “stubborn” means inflexible and not likely to change one’s mind; and “lax” means slack, negligent, and too casual.

Example Question #163 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

MISERLY

Possible Answers:

Commanding

Magnanimous

Parsimonious

Egregious

Dear

Correct answer:

Parsimonious

Explanation:

“Miserly” means not generous with money, which is very similar to the meaning of the word “parsimonious.” “Magnanimous” means generous with money and noble; “egregious” means appalling and horrific; “commanding” means in control; and "dear" means loved by and important to.

Example Question #72 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

IMPRUDENT

Possible Answers:

Distressing

Operational

Unwise

Cogent

Mean

Correct answer:

Unwise

Explanation:

“Imprudent” means not prudent, not wise, or not careful. The prefix "im-" means not, as does the prefix "un-," so the correct answer is “unwise.” As for the other answer choices, "distressing" means causing apprehension and distress, and "operational" means able to be operated or working.

Example Question #73 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

MATERNAL

Possible Answers:

Fatherly

Familial

Brotherly

Neighborly

Motherly

Correct answer:

Motherly

Explanation:

"Mater" is the Latin word for mother, so it makes sense that "maternal" describes a woman who has motherly qualities and acts like the popular idea of how a mother should act. "Motherly" is thus the correct answer.

Example Question #74 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

VOCIFEROUS

Possible Answers:

Violent

Rustic

Frustrated

Loud

Angry

Correct answer:

Loud

Explanation:

"Vociferous" is an adjective describing someone or something "characterized by noisy and determined shouting." Frustrated, angry, and violent all have a negative connotation to them, which vociferous does not. And rustic simply means natural, or wooded, so that describes more of a physical quality than an audible one. Loud is the best answer. Hint: the root of "vociferous" looks a lot like "voice."

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