All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery
A synonym of "robust" is __________.
lithe
burly
viscous
weak
clear
burly
"Robust" is an adjective that means "physically strong; muscular." So, "weak" cannot be the correct answer because "weak" is an antonym of "robust," and while "lithe" may look potentially correct, "lithe" means "thin, supple, and graceful," and is often used to describe a person's body. The closest synonym to "robust" amongst the possible answer choices is "burly," an adjective that means "large and strong; heavily built" and is used to describe people. So, "burly" is the correct answer.
Example Question #261 : Identifying Synonyms
Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.
HIDEOUS
mysterious
selective
hidden
unlucky
ugly
ugly
"Hideous" means ugly or unpleasant looking.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery
A synonym of "threadbare" is __________.
watertight
sequestered
mangy
militant
pristine
mangy
"Threadbare" is an adjective that means "becoming thin and tattered with age," when used to describe cloth, clothing, or soft furnishings, "poor or shabby in appearance" when used to describe a person, building, or room, and "used so often that is no longer effective" when used to describe an argument or idea. So, we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "tattered," "shabby," or "overused." That means that "pristine" cannot be the correct answer, because "pristine" is an adjective that can mean "in its original condition; unspoiled" or "clean and fresh as if new; spotless," making the word an antonym, not a synonym, of "threadbare." "Mangy," however, is an adjective that can mean "in poor condition; shabby," and because "mangy" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "threadbare," "mangy" is the correct answer.
Example Question #263 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
HOMELY
Unattractive
Sweet
Sermonic
Welcoming
Unattractive
Because of the obvious root home, it is easy to think that "homely" means warm and welcoming (like "homey"). Be careful not to make this common mistake—"homely" does derive from "home," but it has traveled from there through the sense of plain and unadorned to our modern meaning of plain and unattractive. Be careful also not to confuse "homely" with "homily," which means a sermon.
Example Question #264 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
DELICATE
Durable
Fragile
Sturdy
Contentious
Unhappy
Fragile
"Fragile" is the best synonym of "delicate," as they both mean easily breakable, while the rest of the answers bear little relation to the word in question: "durable" means longlasting and "sturdy" has a similar meaning, while "contentious" means producing controversy or debate.
Example Question #265 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
RAVENOUS
Starving
Bleak
Parched
Content
Satiated
Starving
The word "ravenous" means very hungry or starving, so "starving" is the correct answer.
Example Question #266 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
ORNATE
Secular
Orblike
Lavish
Folksy
Lavish
Something that is "ornate" is excessively showy. The best choice is "lavish," which means excessive. Considering the other options, "orblike" means like an orb, or in other words, spherical, "folksy" means purposely traditional in a affected way, and "secular" means nonreligious.
Example Question #267 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
COARSE
Tall
Short
Rough
Polite
Soft
Rough
"Coarse" means rough and can be used to describe the roughness of an object, the roughness of someone’s character, or the roughness of someone’s manners. When used to describe people, it generally means rude and uncouth. So, "rough" is the correct answer.
Example Question #268 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters.
AWRY
Twisted around
Without shape
Comforting
Uncomfortable
Able to be seen
Twisted around
"Awry" means twisted around, out of shape, or gone wrong. To further help you, something that is "comforting" gives you peace and comfort. For example, one might write, “Amy’s New Year’s plans went hopelessly awry, but once she got home, the affection of her three dogs proved more than comforting enough.”
Example Question #269 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
GAUDY
Important
Attentive
Godlike
Trustworthy
Extravagant
Extravagant
"Gaudy" means extravagant to the point of being tasteless. Therefore, “extravagant” is a synonym of "gaudy."
All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
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