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 #812 : Synonyms

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

SEEMLY

Possible Answers:

Fractious

Ebullient

Ephemeral

Congruous

Unsuitable

Correct answer:

Congruous

Explanation:

"Seemly" and "congruous" both mean appropriate or suitable. "Unsuitable" means not proper or inappropriate. "Ebullient" means cheerful or full of energy. "Ephemeral" means passing or transient. "Fractious" means grouchy or cross

Example Question #813 : Synonyms

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

INDECOROUS

Possible Answers:

Ascetic

Acerbic

Capricious

Desiccated

Coarse

Correct answer:

Coarse

Explanation:

"Indecorous" and "coarse" both mean improper or rude. "Acerbic" means bitter, sharp, or sour. "Ascetic" means self-denying or austere. "Capricious" means given to sudden behavior changes. "Desiccated" means dry or arid.

Example Question #814 : Synonyms

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

PROFANE

Possible Answers:

Potential

Considerate

Secular

Holy

Manageable

Correct answer:

Secular

Explanation:

"Profane" is a word that when used as an adjective, can mean either "relating or devoted to that which is not sacred or biblical; secular rather than religious" or "not respectful of orthodox religious practice; irreverent" when describing a person or his or her behavior. As a verb, "profane" means "treat something sacred with irreverence or disrespect." However, all of our potential answer choices are adjectives, so we will need to consider "profane" as an adjective. So, "religious" cannot be the correct answer, because "religious" is an antonym of "profane," not a synonym. "Secular," however, is an adjective that means "denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis." So, because "secular" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "profane," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #815 : Synonyms

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

INCONGROUS

Possible Answers:

Anomalous

Divisive

Cacophonous

Apathetic

Ambiguous

Correct answer:

Anomalous

Explanation:

Because "incongrous" means out of the ordinary or not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something, the answer choice that is its closest synonym is "anomalous," or deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected.

Example Question #816 : Synonyms

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

COMMENSURATE

Possible Answers:

Ambiguous

Correspondent

Redundant

Burgeoning

Critical

Correct answer:

Correspondent

Explanation:

"Commensurate" is an adjective that means "equal or similar to something in size, amount, or degree; in proportion to," so we need to pick out a word that means "proportionate." While "redundant" may sound like a good answer choice because it also deals with relationships between things, "redundant" actually means "repeating something else and therefore unnecessary," so it is not the word we're looking for. "Correspondent," however, besides meaning "a person who writes letters to a person or a newspaper, especially on a regular basis" as a noun, can also function as an adjective meaning "having a close similarity; matching or agreeing almost exactly." Of the available answer choices, "correspondent" is closest in meaning to "commensurate," so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #41 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

ANOMALOUS

Possible Answers:

Floundering

Intransigent

Garrulous

Conforming

Incongruous

Correct answer:

Incongruous

Explanation:

"Anomalous" and "incongruous" both mean deviating from normal or unusual. "Conforming" means agreeing or harmonious. "Garrulous" means talkative. "Floundering" means struggling or stumbling. "Intransigent" means adamant or stubborn

Example Question #42 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

INSIPID

Possible Answers:

Sedulous

Appetizing

Banal

Homogenous

Avant-garde

Correct answer:

Banal

Explanation:

"Insipid" and "banal" both mean dull or uninteresting. "Appetizing" means delicious or appealing. "Sedulous" means busy or determined. "Avant-garde" means unconventional or forward-thinking. "Homogenous" means similar or comparable.

Example Question #43 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

PRETERNATURAL

Possible Answers:

Stupefying

Munificent

Voluminous

Germane

Anomalous

Correct answer:

Anomalous

Explanation:

"Preternatural" and "anomalous" both mean unusual or abnormal. "Germane" means appropriate or applicable. "Munificent" means giving or generous. "Stupefying" means stunning or amazing. "Voluminous" means ample or vast

Example Question #817 : Synonyms

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

POTENT

Possible Answers:

Untainted

Drinkable

Poisonous

Forceful

Stewing

Correct answer:

Forceful

Explanation:

The “pot-” portion of this word is derived from the Latin for able and also power. It is found in many English words like “impotent,” “potency,” “omnipotence,” and “potential.” Someone might say, “The speech was extremely potent in stirring the emotions of the crowd; soon, everyone was marching according to the instructions of the speaker.” Among the options provided, “forceful” best conveys this sense of “power.”

Example Question #211 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

FUTILE

Possible Answers:

Bothersome

Annoying

Ineffectual

Feeble

Useful

Correct answer:

Ineffectual

Explanation:

When something is futile, it accomplishes nothing. For example, one could say, “No matter how long Thomas spent in the gym, it felt futile, for he was always unable to lift his goal amount of weights.” When something is “ineffectual,” it is “unable to have an effect.” The word is thus somewhat like “ineffective.”

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