All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #921 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
APT
Explicable
Appropriate
Jarring
Dull
Applicable
Appropriate
“Apt” means appropriate, right, and correct for a given situation, so "appropriate" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “applicable” means able to be applied or related to a situation or circumstance; “explicable” means able to be explained; "jarring" means sudden and shocking or rattling and jolting; and "dull" means blunt and not sharp or boring.
Example Question #922 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AMBIGUOUS
Argumentative
Dexterous
Able
Mammalian
Imprecise
Imprecise
When something is ambiguous, it is not distinct. For example, someone might shrug his or her shoulders. This action may indicate either not caring or meaning that the person is okay with what was said (or perhaps something entirely different). Such a gesture is thus said to be "ambiguous," for its meaning can go many different ways. (The word comes from roots that mean driving or going both ways at once. You might know the ambi- prefix, which means both. It is related to the word ambidextrous, which means using both hands ably.) Thus, the best option among those provided is imprecise. When something is "precise," it is exact. The "im-" prefix here is what is called a "privitive prefix." It is a prefix that means not. Therefore, "imprecise" means not precise—quite like being ambiguous!
Example Question #923 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
COVERT
Undercover
Visible
Attitude
Denied
Blanket
Undercover
"Covert" means hidden or undercover. Spies often go on covert operations which means that it is a secret operation. "Visible" means able to be seen. "Blanket" is a concrete noun referring to a cloth object used as a cover for warmth. "
Example Question #924 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INTENTIONAL
Indeterminate
Blurry
Relatable
Deliberate
Ambiguous
Deliberate
Look at your answer choices--how would you categorize the words? "Indeterminate," "ambiguous," and "blurry" all refer to something that is not easily known, understood, or perceived. "Relatable" means that you can easily relate to or connect with that that person or thing. "Deliberate" means that there is a clear intention to the action described; in other words, it is "intentional."
Example Question #925 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PAINSTAKING
Careful
Careless
Helpless
Hapless
Helpful
Careful
"Painstaking" means done with great care and patience, meticulous and careful. To provide further help, "hapless" means hopeless, unfortunate, unlucky.
Example Question #311 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HAZARDOUS
Urging
Unnerving
Encouraging
Dangerous
Welcoming
Dangerous
A "hazard" is a danger, so something that is "hazardous" is dangerous. To provide further help, "unnerving" means troubling, worrying; "urging" means begging, pleading.
Example Question #312 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PARTICULAR
Achieving
Distinct
Lazy
Incomplete
Dirty
Distinct
For the word particular, do not be confused by the "part" portion of the word. The word "particular" is not primarily concerned with being a part (in contrast to being a whole). Instead, something is particular when it is specific. For example, whenever you say, "I have a particular color in mind," this means that you actually have a specific color picked out. You are not undecided. Thus, the best option given here is "distinct." Something that is particular is also distinct. The word can also be used to describe someone who is very picky. A person who is "very particular" is very picky—he or she wants something very distinct.
Example Question #313 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HILARIOUS
Amusing
Joyful
Hysterical
Humorous
Foolish
Hysterical
Whenever something is "hilarious," that thing is very funny. For this question, the best option will stress the very. That is, the best option will be one that expresses the idea that a hilarious thing is not merely "amusing" or "funny." It is, instead, "hysterical"—very amusing.
Example Question #314 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ENTICING
Surprising
Immoral
Examined
Despicable
Attractive
Attractive
Whenever something is "enticing," it draws your attention and makes you desire it. Sometimes, we talk about one person enticing another person to do something or go somewhere. Whenever someone or something entices you, it "invites" you to come closer to it. Put another way, we can say that it "attracts" you. Hence, "attractive" is a good synonym for "enticing."
Example Question #315 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OCCASIONAL
Planned
Infamous
Reliable
Timed
Random
Random
Whenever something happens "occasionally," it does not happen on a regular schedule. It is an irregular occurrence. Hence, you could say, "Rupert's occasional remarks about politics annoyed his family, but they were thankful that he didn't talk about the topic much." To be "occasional" is to happen "only on occasion." (Related words help us to memorize, of course!) Thus, the only option that expresses this idea of being irregular is "random."
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