ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

HAUGHTY

Possible Answers:

Arrogant

Insistent

Absent

Substantial

Correct answer:

Arrogant

Explanation:

Though pronounced "HOT-ee," the word "haughty" has nothing to do with heat. Rather, it describes one who is arrogant or snobby. It has traveled through variations in several languages from a Latin word that means "high."

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

 

GENEROUS

Possible Answers:

Spendthrift

Selfish

Detrimental

Penurious

Magnanimous

Correct answer:

Magnanimous

Explanation:

All of the terms aside from "detrimental" (harmful) are related to "generous" in some way, but "magnanimous" is most appropriate because it means generous in giving and benevolent. "Spendthrift" means indulgent and wasteful in spending, "penurious" means stingy, and "seflish" means only thinking of oneself and not of others.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

IMPRESSIVE

Possible Answers:

Solitary

Identical

Visible

Admirable

Negative

Correct answer:

Admirable

Explanation:

"Impressive" means admirable or evoking praise or admiration, so "admirable" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are related in meaning to "impressive": "identical" means exactly the same; "visible" means apparent or able to be seen; "solitary" means alone or by oneself; and "negative" means not hopeful or pessimistic.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

COURTEOUS

Possible Answers:

Polite

Immense

Frigid

Solo

Edible

Correct answer:

Polite

Explanation:

"Courteous" means polite and gracious, so "polite" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "courteous": "edible" means able to be eaten. "Frigid" means extremely cold. "Immense" means very great in size, and "solo" means done independently or alone.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

GENTEEL

Possible Answers:

Coarse

Refined

Offensive

Sedentary

Solitary

Correct answer:

Refined

Explanation:

A "genteel" person is one who is extremely polite and/or refined in his or her manners. So, "refined" is the correct answer.

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

REGAL

Possible Answers:

Pertinent

Polite

Democratic

Straightforward

Magnificent

Correct answer:

Magnificent

Explanation:

"Regal" has two definitions: it can mean either being descended from a royal family or magnificent. In this case, the secondary definition "magnificent" is given, so "magnificent" is the correct answer.

Example Question #112 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

FRUGAL

Possible Answers:

Wasteful

Smelly

Thrifty

Mean

Correct answer:

Thrifty

Explanation:

"Frugal" means prefering to save rather than to spend money, so "thrifty" is the best match. "Wasteful" has the opposite meaning.

Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

IDLE

Possible Answers:

Lazy

Terrified

Preoccupied

Smug

Fortunate

Correct answer:

Lazy

Explanation:

"Idle" means not in use when referring to a machine, lazy when referring to a person, and unoccupied or spare when referring to time in someone's schedule. So, "lazy" is the correct answer.

Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

GREGARIOUS

Possible Answers:

Divergent

Outgoing

Generous

Cold

Ideal

Correct answer:

Outgoing

Explanation:

"Gregarious" means sociableoutgoing, or friendly, so "outgoing," which also means friendly and extroverted, is the best match here.

Example Question #18 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

Bashful 

Possible Answers:

Sweet

Belligerent

Bold

Uncoordinated

Shy

Correct answer:

Shy

Explanation:

"Bashful" means timid or shy. For example, one might say, "The lamb was so bashful that it was afraid to even leave its mother's side." So, "shy" is the correct answer.

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