All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 :Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
体育RIODICALLY
Always
Frequently
Occasionally
Rarely
Occasionally
When something occurs "periodically," it occursregularlyin a given period of time. For instance, the periodic swinging of a pendulum is the time that it takes for it to swing back and forth. Likewise, the occurrence of a full moon occurs periodically—according to a fixed period of the moon's orbiting around the earth. By itself, the word "periodically" does not indicate whether or not something occurs frequently, quickly, or rarely. It merely indicates that something happensat regular intervals.
The word "occasionally" is an adverb that could be rewritten,on occasionoron a given occasion. The implication is that it describes something that happens sometimes but not always. It does not necessarily state that it occurs rarely. Likewise, it is not proper to use "occasionally" to indicate that you do something frequently. You wouldn't say, "I occasionally eat asparagus," but actually mean that you eat it every day of the year. To indicate that you eat it every day of the year, you would say, "I always eat asparagus." To say "occasionally" is to indicate that the activity being described is sporadic—now and then, on occasion.
Example Question #2 :Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.
一个nually
Daily
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Yearly
Yearly
一个nually means every year or yearly.
Example Question #2 :Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SELDOM
Immediately
Potentially
Rarely
Spontaneously
Often
Rarely
"Seldom" is an adverb that meansnot happening often.The best choice is "rarely" because it meansinfrequentlyand is a synonym of "seldom." Something that seldom happens rarely happens.
Example Question #3 :Identifying Synonyms
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Michelle has been unable to commit herself to a regular exercise regime, and instead exercises very__________.
unsurely
intently
fairly
sporadically
quickly
sporadically
Given that Michelle has not been able to commit to a regular exercise regime, the best answer is a word that describes irregularity. "Sporadically"means to do somethingat inconsistent intervals. Therefore, "sporadically"is the word that best fits the sentence.
Example Question #4 :Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
NATURALLY
Slyly
Quickly
Genuinely
一个grily
Temporarily
Genuinely
The word "natural" comes from roots related tobirth. Something that is "natural" isinborn. Thus, if someone has a naturally happy attitude, that person is happy in an unreflective way. He or she just "is happy"—as though he or she was born that way. The word has taken on the meaning "genuinely" because such a natural disposition is not something that is faked.
Example Question #3 :Synonyms: Adverbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INSTANTANEOUSLY
Figuratively
Regularly
Immediately
Helpfully
Devotedly
Immediately
一个"instant" isa very short period of time. Whenever something happens in a very short time, it happens "instantaneously." This means that it happensalmost immediately.
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
comical
jubilant
interesting
friendly
persuasive
friendly
"Cordial" is defined aswarm 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 __________.
bossy
tough
unfriendly
energetic
obstinate
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 #1 :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.
庄严的:
minor
serious
pleased
cheerful
carefree
serious
Something that is solemn such as a solemn event indicates that it is serious in nature.
Example Question #3 :Identifying Synonyms
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:
horrified
upset
irritated
annoyed
enraged
upset
If someone is distraught, it means they are highly distressed andupset.
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