All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #811 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FATAL
Fated
Medical
Hopeless
Dangerous
Lethal
Lethal
"Fatal" is an adjective that can mean either "causing death" or "leading to failure or disaster." While "fated" may sound like it is related to "fatal," "fated" means "destined to happen, turn out, or act in a particular way," so it cannot be the correct answer because it does not mean the same thing as "fatal." "Lethal," however, is an adjective that can mean either "sufficient to cause death" or "harmful or destructive." Because "lethal" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "fatal," it is the correct answer.
Example Question #812 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SEEMLY
Congruous
Ebullient
Fractious
Ephemeral
Unsuitable
Congruous
"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
Desiccated
Ascetic
Acerbic
Coarse
Capricious
Coarse
"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
Manageable
Potential
Considerate
Secular
Holy
Secular
"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
Divisive
Ambiguous
Cacophonous
Anomalous
Apathetic
Anomalous
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
Burgeoning
Correspondent
Critical
Redundant
Ambiguous
Correspondent
"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 #817 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ANOMALOUS
Intransigent
Conforming
Incongruous
Garrulous
Floundering
Incongruous
"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 #818 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INSIPID
Sedulous
Appetizing
Homogenous
Avant-garde
Banal
Banal
"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 #819 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRETERNATURAL
Voluminous
Munificent
Stupefying
Anomalous
Germane
Anomalous
"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 #820 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
POTENT
Forceful
Stewing
Untainted
Poisonous
Drinkable
Forceful
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.”
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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
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