All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #671 : Synonyms
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
FORBEARING
impotent
tolerant
garish
stolid
intrepid
tolerant
"Forbearing" and "tolerant" both mean forgiving or moderate. "Impotent" means disabled or unable to perform an action. "Garish" means flashy or tasteless. "Intrepid" means brave or nervy. "Stolid" means apathetic or stupid.
Example Question #73 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
GARRULOUS
Bizarre
Considerate
Imminent
Pleasurable
Talkative
Talkative
"Garrulous" means talkative, so "talkative" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "garrulous": "bizarre" means strange or very odd "Cocnsiderate" means thoughtful or considering the feelings and thoughts of other people; "pleasurable" means giving one pleasure; and "imminent" means impending or close to occurring.
Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DOUR
banal
grim
ecstatic
dilapidated
impartial
grim
"Dour" is an adjective that refers to someone's manner or appearance and has a few different meanings, including gloomy and austere. While "dilapidated" sounds like it might be a good answer choice, it means in poor condition due to having been neglected over time—not quite what we're looking for. "Grim," on the other hand, can mean somber or gloomy and is the closest in meaning to "dour," so it is the best answer choice.
Example Question #451 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRUDENT
critical
judicious
sly
judgmental
deceptive
judicious
The word “prudent” has perhaps received a bad sense in its standard usage by most English-speakers. One will at times speak of “prudent” people who know how to work things to their gain. For instance, someone might be called “prudent” for keeping silent about opinions instead of insulting someone who might give him or her a job; however, the word “prudent” is of much nobler origins, meaning discerning or even wise in practical action. For this reason, among the options provided, the best option is “judicious,” meaning judging well. This meaning will cover the more negative uses but likewise applies to the nobler notions of “prudence.”
Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CAPRICIOUS
Reverent
Fickle
Ephemeral
Insolent
Dreary
Fickle
"Capricious" means changing one's mood in a fickle, unpredictable manner, so the answer choice that is its best synonym is "fickle," or changing frequently.
Example Question #452 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
JUDICIOUS
Tribunal
Illicit
Rhetorical
Legal
Prudent
Prudent
The word “judicious” is related to “judgment,” but do not let that lead you to the law-related words like “legal,” “illicit,” and “tribunal.” When someone is “judicious,” he or she has and exercises “good judgment.” Such a person could be called “prudent,” meaning he or she is wise in a practical manner.
Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
CAPRICIOUS
Condescending
Predictable
Impulsive
Amusing
Planned
Impulsive
"Capricious" means unpredictable, so both planned and predictable are incorrect, because they are antonyms for capricious. "Condescending" means to lower in position, and "amusing" involves humor, so the best answer choice is "impulsive."
Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OSTENTATIOUS
Conspicuous
Pejorative
Pedantic
Resolute
Mellifluous
Conspicuous
"Ostentatious" means conspicuous, flashy, or showy. "Mellifluous" means smooth and sweet-sounding. "Pedantic" means overly-precise or bookish. "Pejorative" means negative or belittling. "Resolute" means determined or strong-willed.
Example Question #453 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
QUIXOTIC
Idealistic
Potential
Quotidian
Humorous
Literary
Idealistic
"Quixotic" is an adjective that means "exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical" and derives from Cervantes's literary character Don Quixote. While "quotidian" may look like a potentially correct answer choice simply because both "quixotic" and "quotidian" begin with "q," "quotidian" means "of or occurring every day," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Idealistic," which means "characterized by idealism; unrealistically aiming for perfection," is the best answer choice because it is closest in meaning to "quixotic."
Example Question #454 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PLACID
Complaining
Levelheaded
Jovial
Harried
Compliant
Levelheaded
"Placid" is an adjective meaning either "not easily upset or excited" when used to describe a person or animal and "calm and peaceful, with little movement or activity" when describing a place or stretch of water. "Levelheaded," an adjective that means "calm and sensible," is the answer choice closest in meaning to "placid," so it is the correct answer.
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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
