ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

Select the word that has most nearly the same meaning as the word in capital letters.

CORDIAL

Possible Answers:

friendly

jubilant

persuasive

comical

interesting

Correct answer:

friendly

Explanation:

"Cordial" is defined as warm and sincere. "Cordially" is commonly used at the end of letters, in place of "sincerely." "Friendly" is the closest match because warmth and sincerity are associated with friendliness.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

A synonym of "headstrong" is __________.

Possible Answers:

obstinate

energetic

unfriendly

tough

bossy

Correct answer:

obstinate

Explanation:

"Headstrong" is an adjective that means "not willing to do what other people want: very stubborn." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that is also an adjective and means something like "stubborn." While "tough" might look like a potentially correct answer because "tough" is a synonym of "strong," and "headstrong" contains the word "strong," "tough" does not mean "stubborn," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Obstinate," however, means "stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so." Because "obstinate" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "headstrong," "obstinate" is the correct answer.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

SOLEMN:

Possible Answers:

cheerful

carefree

serious

pleased

minor

Correct answer:

serious

Explanation:

Something that is solemn such as a solemn event indicates that it is serious in nature.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

DISTRAUGHT:

Possible Answers:

enraged

upset

irritated

annoyed

horrified

Correct answer:

upset

Explanation:

If someone is distraught, it means they are highly distressed and upset.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

GLUM:

Possible Answers:

lazy

depressed

enthusiastic

laidback

serious

Correct answer:

depressed

Explanation:

When someone is glum, it means that they are depressed or saddened.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

A synonym of "dissatisfied" is __________.

Possible Answers:

pleased

funny

petulant

erroneous

disgruntled

Correct answer:

disgruntled

Explanation:

"Dissatisfied" is an adjective that means "not content or happy with something." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not happy with something." So, "pleased" cannot be the correct answer, because "pleased" is an antonym of "dissatisfied," not a synonym. "Disgruntled," however, is an adjective that means "angry or dissatisfied," so "disgruntled" is the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to "dissatisfied."

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

A synonym of "benevolent" is __________.

Possible Answers:

generous

entrenched

rude

polite

bending

Correct answer:

generous

Explanation:

Benevolent is often used to refer to leaders who lead with kindness and generosity. While polite may be close, benevolence always goes hand in hand with generosity; thus "generous" is the correct answer.

Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

FURIOUS

Possible Answers:

Ecstatic

Miffed

Depressed

Enraged

Correct answer:

Enraged

Explanation:

"Furious" means full of rage. The best answer choice is "enraged" because it shares the same definition. "Furious" and "enraged" are synonyms. Considering the other choices, "depressed" means sad and gloomy, "miffed" means annoyed, and "ecstatic" means incredibly overjoyed.

Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

Select the synonym.

Distraught

Possible Answers:

Calm

Distressed

Emotional

Tearful

Joyful

Correct answer:

Distressed

Explanation:

When somone is distraught, they are upset and deeply agitated, which can also describe someone who is distressed. 

If someone is distraught, they can also be emotional, but distressed is a better answer choice.  Emotional describes both positive and negative feelings, whereas distraught and distressed have negative connotations.

Example Question #10 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

MELANCHOLY

Possible Answers:

Pleased

Boring

Impassive

Mournful

Correct answer:

Mournful

Explanation:

"Melancholy" refers to a gloominess in a person's mood; a person who is feeling "melancholy" will seem sad or depressed. "Mournful," which also means sad or gloomy, is therefore the best answer. "Pleased" is an opposite of "melancholy," and both "boring" and "impassive" indicate a lack of emotion, not any specific feeling of sadness.

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