All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #761 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
THRIFTY
Economical
Destitute
Careful
Cheap
Stingy
Economical
When someone is "thrifty," he or she is very careful with money. This does not necessarily mean that he or she is "cheap" or "stingy." Likewise, it does not mean that the person is "destitute" (poor). A wealthy person can be thrifty by buying things at a good price and not wasting his or her money. Now, "careful" may seem correct for this reason, but "economical" is better. When something is described as being "economical," it is an option that provides a good return for the amount of money spent on it. Therefore, this is the best option for a synonym for "thrifty."
Example Question #540 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ZEALOUS
Lethargic
Imprisoned
Fervent
Colossal
Apathetic
Fervent
"Zealous" is an adjective meaning having zeal or demonstrating energetic or fanatical support for a cause or person. "Fervent" shares the meaning of being fanatical. "Imprisoned" means held captive, "colossal" means huge, "lethargic" means tired and slow, and "apathetic" is an antonym of zealous meaning not caring at all.
Example Question #762 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GREGARIOUS
Disgusting
Fertile
Innate
Sociable
Pungent
Sociable
"Gregarious" means sociable or enjoying the company of others, so "sociable" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "gregarious": "innate" means natural or inherent; "disgusting" means causing revulsion or off-putting; "fertile" means productive, able to produce a lot of vegetation, or able to bear young; and "pungent" means having a powerful smell or taste.
Example Question #542 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ELITIST
Apprehensive
Snobbish
Nonplussed
Desirable
Petrified
Snobbish
Someone who is "elitist" is arrogant and thinks they are better than other people. The closer answer choice to this definition is "snobbish." To provide further help, "petrified" means very scared; "apprehensive" means cautious and worried; "desirable" means wanted; "nonplussed" means confused.
Example Question #543 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISTINGUISHED
Portly
Permissive
Comely
Frivolous
Eminent
Eminent
"Distinguished" is an adjective used to describe a person who is accomplished, famous and eminent within their field. To provide further help, "permissive" means tolerant; "portly" means fat; "comely" means cute; "frivolous" means wasted, not necessary.
Example Question #544 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FORMIDABLE
Bestial
Reticent
Daunting
Pusillanimous
Timorous
Daunting
"Formidable" means imposing and daunting. To provide further help, "reticent" means reserved; "timorous" means timid, easily frightened; "pusillanimous" means cowardly; "bestial" means savage, like a beast.
Example Question #545 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
UNCTUOUS
Abstruse
Nominal
Acute
Obtuse
Fawning
Fawning
"Unctuous" means excessively ingratiating, fawning, someone who debases themselves for someone else's approval. To provide further help, "abstruse" means hard to understand; "obtuse" means dim-witted, not smart; "acute" means sharp, quick-witted; "nominal" means insignificant.
Example Question #546 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CRAVEN
Miserly
Generous
Haughty
Cowardly
Parsimonious
Cowardly
Someone who is "craven" is cowardly and pathetic. To provide further help, "miserly" and "parsimonious" are synonyms, both words mean stingy, not generous with money. Finally, "haughty" means arrogant, bold and disdainful towards others.
Example Question #547 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IRASCIBLE
Malleable
Sinewy
Regal
Detestable
Petulant
Petulant
"Irascible" means irritable, quick-tempered, easily angered. This is closest in meaning to "petulant," which means bad-tempered, badly-behaved. To provide further help, "sinewy" means strong and muscular; "detestable" means deserving of hatred; "malleable" means flexible, easily changed; "regal" means of or related to royalty.
Example Question #548 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MORDANT
Hapless
Scathing
Dejected
Raucous
Bestial
Scathing
"Mordant" means having a harsh and critical tone, scathing, caustic. To provide further help, "bestial" means savage, like a beast; "hapless" means unlucky, hopeless, useless; "dejected" means very sad; "raucous" means loud and out of control.
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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
