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 #251 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

PARTIAL

Possible Answers:

disgusted

total

prejudiced

flowing

Correct answer:

prejudiced

Explanation:

The word "partial" comes from the root "part." A "partial" action is one that only completes part of the total action to be performed. Sometimes, the word is extended to mean something akin to "only seeing and/or acknowledging part of reality." This is means that someone is "biased" or favors one thing over another, though perhaps without a good reason—or at least one that he or she can explain. The word "prejudiced" means having an opinion without really knowing all of the details. The word literally comes from the suffix "pre-," meaning before, and "-judiced," which is related to "to judge." A prejudice "pre-judges" a matter before all the facts have been presented. Someone who is "partial" can (in some circumstances) be called "prejudiced."

Example Question #503 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to that of the word in capital letters.

PRONE

Possible Answers:

united

wont

small

talented

Correct answer:

wont

Explanation:

Both of the meanings of the word "prone" in English derive from a Latin root meaning "leaning forward." In a physical sense, this leads to the meaning of lying face down (now popularly called "planking"), and in a less-literal sense—as in this question—it can mean having a tendency toward something. One might be prone to anger, or prone to speak out of turn in class. The word "wont," (which is a homophone of the more-familiar word "want"), also means to be inclined toward something.

Example Question #504 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ONEROUS

Possible Answers:

Fun

Scary

Difficult

Rude

Talented

Correct answer:

Difficult

Explanation:

"Onerous" is an adjective that means "involving an amount of effort or difficulty that is overly burdensome." Fun is clearly incorrect, as is talented. So scary sounds possible, since onerous looks a little like ominous, but just because something is challenging does not make it scary, so that's out. Rude is close, and onerous can certainly be used in a context that might mean rude, but ultimately, difficult is the closest synonym.

Example Question #252 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

SUSCEPTIBLE

Possible Answers:

Quixotic 

Harangue 

Impregnable 

Vulnerable

Tempestuous 

Correct answer:

Vulnerable

Explanation:

"Susceptible" means in danger from something specific or vulnerable to something. To help you, "impregnable" means not able to be broken into, "tempestuous" means passionate and emotional, to "harangue" someone means to lecture, berate, or criticize him or her, and "quixotic" means idealistic and impractical.

Example Question #506 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ARDUOUS

Possible Answers:

Difficult

Awkward

Severe

Ardent

Dramatic

Correct answer:

Difficult

Explanation:

"Arduous" means challenging and/or causing strain. Something that is "difficult" is hard to accomplish. Thus, "difficult" is the best synonym of "arduous." While "ardent" may seem like a tempting answer, as it sounds similar to the word "arduous," it means passionate, which is very different in meaning than the definition of "arduous."

Example Question #252 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PECKISH

Possible Answers:

Hungry

Parched

Famished

Full

Mottled

Correct answer:

Hungry

Explanation:

The word "peckish" is an adjective that means slightly hungry. The best choice is "hungry" because it is part of the definition of "peckish." "Famished" (incredibly hungry) is too strong of a word to be a better synonym of "peckish" than "hungry" is, and "parched" (extremely thirsty) is too distant in meaning to be the correct answer. Considering the other answer choices, "full" means abundant and "mottled" means spotted.

Example Question #253 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

LABORIOUS

Possible Answers:

Overt

Mediocre

Simple

Difficult

Mundane

Correct answer:

Difficult

Explanation:

"Labor" means work, so it makes sense that “laborious” means involving hard work, or "difficult." “Mundane” means boring or ordinary; “mediocre” means average when higher quality was expected; and "overt" means obvious or easy to notice.

Example Question #254 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Which of the following is a synonym of "impervious?"

Possible Answers:

Exposed

Susceptible

Sensitive

Resistant

Nervous

Correct answer:

Resistant

Explanation:

Resistant. Impervious most nearly means, impenetrable and impassable. Something that is "impervious" is resistant to certain or all things. For instance, a sentence using the word would be "He was impervious to her reasoning."

Most of the other choices are antonyms, with the exception of "nervous" which is unrelated.

Example Question #255 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DISPARATE

Possible Answers:

Uneven

Cold

Bombastic

Delayed

Correct answer:

Uneven

Explanation:

The word "disparate" means unequal or uneven. The best choice is "uneven," as it is a part of the definition of "disparate." Considering the other choices, "delayed" means put off to a later time, "cold" means having a relatively low temperature, and "bombastic" describes language and means sounding impressive but not actually meaning much.

Example Question #875 : Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

CONSPICUOUS

Possible Answers:

Watchful 

Observant

Prominent

Conscience

Careful 

Correct answer:

Prominent

Explanation:

Conspicuous means easily noticeable, or "prominent."

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