ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives and Adverbs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #792 : Synonyms

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

ARRESTING

Possible Answers:

dissimilar

verbose

impactful

threatening

Correct answer:

impactful

Explanation:

Arresting means striking, eye-catching, or impactful.

Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

SYMBIOTIC

Possible Answers:

succinct

synergistic

hindering

stringent

encumbering

Correct answer:

synergistic

Explanation:

"Symbiotic" and "synergistic" both mean cooperative or concerted. "Encumbering" means hindering or slowing. "Hindering" means encumbering or burdening. "Stringent" means stringent or tight. "Succinct" means short and to the point.

Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

INTRINSIC

Possible Answers:

Mandatory

Innate

Intuitive

Original

Somatic

Correct answer:

Innate

Explanation:

Instrinsic traits means they are innate or fundamental to a person; they are also described as inborn and natural.

Example Question #18 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

POLARIZING

Possible Answers:

Patriotic

Elusive

Divisive

Horrifying

Extraneous

Correct answer:

Divisive

Explanation:

Although polarize has a more literal, scientific meaning relating to ionization of atoms, it is also used to refer to an opposition of beliefs; therefore "divisive" is the best synonym.

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

ONEROUS

Possible Answers:

arduous

trivial

facile

obdurate

obsequious

Correct answer:

arduous

Explanation:

"Onerous" and "arduous" both mean difficult or backbreaking. "Facile" means simple or easy. "Trivial" means unimportant or superficial. "Obsequious" means groveling or submissive. "Obdurate" means stubborn or adamant

Example Question #191 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ADVERSE

Possible Answers:

Foe

Battling

Vexing

Unfavorable

Clashing

Correct answer:

Unfavorable

Explanation:

The word “adverse” comes from the Latin meaning to turn toward or, more directly, to the Latin for to be against. The word “adverse” most often is used to describe conditions that are disadvantageous to some undertaking. For instance, a very standard usage is “adverse weather conditions,” meaning weather conditions that are not favorable to activities—either in specific or in general. It can also mean harmful, thus being used in a sentence like, “The adverse effects of the drug were known to cause cancer and heart damage within two years of beginning treatment.” The word “adversary,” meaning opponent, is clearly related to this word.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

ESTEEMED

Possible Answers:

Enjoyed

Admired

Relished

Astonished

Adulterated

Correct answer:

Admired

Explanation:

To hold something in esteem is not merely to enjoy it or relish it. It is to give it high respect. The word “admired” best fits for this reason. “Admire” actually comes from Latin roots related to wondering at something. Something that is “miraculous” is wonderful or wondrous. The “admirable” is likewise quite wonderful.

Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

INDIGENT

Possible Answers:

National

Aboriginal

Native

Exhume

Impoverished

Correct answer:

Impoverished

Explanation:

The word “indigent” means “poor” or “needy.” Among the options, the only option that means this is clearly “impoverished. One might see this word used in a sentence like, “The long period of economic recession greatly increased the indigent population of the country, requiring many more to turn to charity in order to have enough to live.” Note that the word is not the same as “indigenous,” which means “native to a given locale.”

Example Question #25 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

IMPOVERISHED

Possible Answers:

Laboring

Destitute

Beggar

Overcome

Saddened

Correct answer:

Destitute

Explanation:

For this word, the answer is perhaps less known that the word itself. Clearly, the word “impoverished” contains a relative of the word “poverty.” The word “destitute” most properly means “lacking the means even to provide for basic needs.” It can likewise mean, more generally, “lacking,” particularly when used in conjunction with the preposition “of” as in “the students were destitute of any intellectual interest.”

Example Question #192 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PROSPEROUS

Possible Answers:

Economical

Predictive

Flourishing

Investing

Foreseeing

Correct answer:

Flourishing

Explanation:

When someone is “prosperous,” that person is said to “do well” for himself or himself. That is, he or she is accomplishing the tasks and goals that he or she has set. Often, such prosperity is indicated by an increase in material wealth. This is the sense in which the word is most often used, as in, “The banker was the most prosperous man in town, owning fifteen cars and two large houses.” In a more general sense, it can mean “flourishing,” which is related to “flowering,” here meaning “coming to full development” (like a plant coming to flower).

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