All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #601 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
RESCIND
Order
Inspect
Placate
Contend
Cancel
Cancel
To "rescind" something means to repeal, to cancel. To provide further help, "contend" means to argue something is the truth; "placate" means sooth, calm.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ALLURING
Deliberate
Unstable
Concerning
Responsible
Cute
Cute
"Alluring" is an adjective that means beautiful or attractive. The best choice is "cute," since it means attractive. Considering the other choices, "concerning" means causing worry, "unstable" means constantly changing states of being, "responsible" means able to be relied upon to complete tasks, and "deliberate" means done on purpose or working carefully.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DULCET
Simple
Ambiguous
Delicious
Soft
Mellifluous
Mellifluous
The word "dulcet" is an adjective that means sweet and calming and is used to describe sounds and music. The best choice is the word "mellifluous," as it means sweet-sounding. Considering the other choices, "simple" means not complicated, "delicious" mean tasting very good, "soft" means having a fuzzy texture, and "ambiguous" means having multiple ways in which the meaning of something could be interpreted.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
PALPABLE
Tangible
Explicable
Repressible
Invulnerable
Malleable
Tangible
“Palpable” means able to be felt or sensed. This is very similar to “tangible,” which means able to be touched. As for the incorrect answer choices, “explicable” means able to be explained; “invulnerable" means not open to being attacked or damaged; “repressible” means able to be repressed or hidden; and “malleable” means able to be manipulated or able to be changed and molded.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GAUDY
Colorful
Awful
Shameful
Suspenseful
Meaningful
Colorful
“Gaudy” means bright and colorful, although it is usually used in a negative way to suggest something is so uncomfortably bright and colorful as to be tasteless. So, "colorful" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “shameful” means embarassing or causing shame; “meaningful” means important, significant, or containing meaning; “suspenseful” means causing anxiety due to not knowing what will happen; and “awful” means terrible. (Note how the suffix "-ful" generally means full of.)
Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GARISH
Furtive
Essential
Fruitless
Tasteless
Implacable
Tasteless
“Garish” means tastelessly showy and flashy and thus not having good taste. Thus, "tasteless" is the best synonym amongst the given answer choices. As for the other answer choices, “furtive” means secretive or trying to avoid notice; “implacable” means unable to be appeased; “fruitless” means completely unsuccessful; and “essential” means necessary.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GOSSAMER
Opaque
Assiduous
Abrogate
Brusque
Translucent
Translucent
"Gossamer" and "translucent" both mean luminous or see-through. "Opaque" means clouded or muddy. "Brusque" means curt or surly. "Assiduous" means hard-working or diligent. "Abrogate" means to formally put an end to.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OSSIFIED
Pliable
Prodigal
Tortuous
Nefarious
Petrified
Petrified
"Ossified" and "petrified" both mean hardened or bony. "Pliable" means bendable or adaptable. "Nefarious" means heinous or sinful. "Prodigal" means wasteful or reckless. "Tortuous" means twisted or complicated.
Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
UNCTUOUS
oleaginous
blunt
ingratiating
tendentious
tortuous
oleaginous
"Unctuous" and "oleaginous" both mean oily or slick. "Blunt" means straightforward or candid. "Ingratiating" means fawning or servile. "Tendentious" means biased or prejudicial. "Tortuous" means twisted or complicated.
Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
SINEWY
brawny
personable
germinal
mutinous
irksome
brawny
"Sinewy" and "brawny" both mean tough or stringy. "Germinal" means budding or initial. "Irksome" means annoying or irritating. "Mutinous" means rebellious or defiant. "Personable" means friendly or sociable.
All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
