All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the word that has most nearly the same meaning as the word in capital letters.
DEVIOUS
sneaky
suspicious
turbulent
reprehensible
unfortunate
sneaky
"Devious" is defined as showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals.
This is closest in definition to "sneaky." Although someone who is devious may be "reprehensible," meaning deserving censure or condemnation, is not a close match.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
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.
ELOQUENT:
efficient
ineffective
expressive
dull
experienced
expressive
The word eloquent is often used in regards to eloquent language or writing. It indicates that someone is expressive or well-spoken.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
A synonym of "clumsy" is __________.
trip
awkward
sleepy
graceful
smart
awkward
"Clumsy" is an adjective that can have a variety of meanings, including "awkward in movement or in handling things," "done awkwardly or without skill or elegance," "difficult to handle or use; unwieldy," "or "lacking social skills and graces." So, "graceful" cannot be the correct answer because it means the opposite of "clumsy." "Awkward," however, which can mean "not smooth or graceful; ungainly," is the closest synonym to "clumsy" amongst the listed answer choices, so "awkward" is the correct answer.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
A synonym of "optimistic" is __________.
negotiable
pardonable
positive
negative
argumentative
positive
"Optimistic" is an adjective that means "hopeful and confident about the future." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "hopeful" or "confident." "Negative," then, cannot be the correct answer because "negative" is an antonym of "optimistic." "Positive," however, is an adjective that can mean " thinking that a good result will happen : hopeful or optimistic," and because "positive" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "optimistic," "positive" is the correct answer.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
A synonym of “quirky” is __________.
eccentric
conventional
dull
fascinating
prodigious
eccentric
“Quirky” is an adjective that means “characterized by unexpected traits,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “peculiar.” That means that “conventional” cannot be the correct answer, because “conventional” means “concerned with what is acceptable” when used to describe a person, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “quirky.” “Eccentric,” however, is an adjective that means “unconventional and slightly strange” when describing a person or a person’s behavior, and because “eccentric” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “quirky,” “eccentric” is the correct answer.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
WILY
Weary
Sneaky
Uninterested
Different
Sneaky
Something that is "wily" is sneaky. "Sneaky" is the best choice because it is a part of the definition of "wily." None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "wily": "weary" means tired; "different" means deviating from the norm or unusual; and "uninterested" means not interested, as you might be able to infer from the word's use of the negative prefix "un-," which means not.
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
TIMID
Pallid
Shy
Atone
Serene
Shy
"Timid" means lacking in courage or shy. "Shy" is the best answer choice since it is a part of the definition of "timid." Considering the other choices, "pallid" means pale or faint in color, "serene" means calm, and "atone" means make up for an offense or crime.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
NOBLE
corrupt
immoral
unethical
honorable
honorable
The correct answer is "honorable." Both words mean having good principles and ideals. All of the other answer choices are antonyms, or opposites, of "noble."
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
OBTUSE
Clever
Dumb
Chaotic
Angle
Dumb
The word "obtuse" is an adjective which means slow-witted or not very smart. "Dumb" is the best choice, as it means not smart. Considering the other choices, "clever" is an antonym of "obstuse." The meaning of "chaotic" is not related to the meaning of "obtuse." The choice "angle" refers to mathematical terminology (i.e. an obtuse angle) but is not relevant as we do not use "obtuse" this way in everyday speech.
Example Question #964 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
OPTIMISTIC
Sad
Good
Hopeful
Perfect
Hopeful
The word "optimistic" means expecting a positive outcome. The best choice is "hopeful" because someone who is optimistic has hope that things will turn out well in the future.
All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
![Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors](https://vt-vtwa-app-assets.varsitytutors.com/assets/problems/og_image_practice_problems-9cd7cd1b01009043c4576617bc620d0d5f9d58294f59b6d6556fd8365f7440cf.jpg)