All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
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
persuasive
jubilant
comical
interesting
friendly
friendly
"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 #1 : Identifying Synonyms
A synonym of "headstrong" is __________.
unfriendly
tough
obstinate
energetic
bossy
obstinate
"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
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:
pleased
minor
cheerful
carefree
serious
serious
Something that is solemn such as a solemn event indicates that it is serious in nature.
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives
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:
enraged
upset
irritated
horrified
annoyed
upset
If someone is distraught, it means they are highly distressed and upset.
Example Question #1 : 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:
serious
enthusiastic
depressed
laidback
lazy
depressed
When someone is glum, it means that they are depressed or saddened.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
A synonym of "dissatisfied" is __________.
erroneous
funny
pleased
petulant
disgruntled
disgruntled
"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 __________.
rude
entrenched
generous
polite
bending
generous
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 #11 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
FURIOUS
Ecstatic
Depressed
Enraged
Miffed
Enraged
"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 #12 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the synonym.
Distraught
Calm
Emotional
Distressed
Joyful
Tearful
Distressed
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 #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
MELANCHOLY
Boring
Pleased
Mournful
Impassive
Mournful
"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.
All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
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