ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #101 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

DISTINGUISHED

Possible Answers:

Eminent

Permissive

Comely

Portly

Frivolous

Correct answer:

Eminent

Explanation:

"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 #102 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

FORMIDABLE

Possible Answers:

Bestial

Timorous

Pusillanimous

Reticent

Daunting

Correct answer:

Daunting

Explanation:

"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 #103 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

UNCTUOUS

Possible Answers:

Nominal

Fawning

Acute

Obtuse

Abstruse

Correct answer:

Fawning

Explanation:

"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 #2481 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

CRAVEN

Possible Answers:

Parsimonious

Cowardly

Haughty

Miserly

Generous

Correct answer:

Cowardly

Explanation:

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 #2482 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

IRASCIBLE

Possible Answers:

Sinewy

Petulant

Detestable

Malleable

Regal

Correct answer:

Petulant

Explanation:

"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 #2483 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

MORDANT

Possible Answers:

Raucous

Dejected

Hapless

Bestial

Scathing

Correct answer:

Scathing

Explanation:

"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

Example Question #171 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PERSPICACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Discerning

Factious

Gauche

Pretentious

Alluring

Correct answer:

Discerning

Explanation:

"Perspicacious" means discerning and astute, able to notice things that others would not. To provide further help, "factious" means causing disagreement; "gauche" means tacky and unrefined, lacking grace; "alluring" means attractive, appealing; "pretentious" means trying to impress others by exaggerating one's characteristics or by being fake and trendy

Example Question #172 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

RETICENT

Possible Answers:

Painstaking

Arduous

Confident

Assiduous

Withdrawn

Correct answer:

Withdrawn

Explanation:

"Reticent" means shy, reserved, withdrawn. To provide further help, "arduous" and "painstaking" both describe a challenging or difficult task; "assiduous" means industrious, hard working

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