Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits - ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning

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Question

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

DEVIOUS

Answer

"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.

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Question

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:

Answer

The word eloquent is often used in regards to eloquent language or writing. It indicates that someone is expressive or well-spoken.

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Question

A synonym of "clumsy" is __________.

Answer

"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.

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Question

A synonym of "optimistic" is __________.

Answer

"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.

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Question

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

WARY

Answer

"Wary" is an adjective that means cautious, so we need to pick out an answer choice that is an adjective and means something like cautious. "Reckless" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "reckless" is an antonym of "cautious." "Careful," however, is an adjective that means paying attention to details in order to avoid danger, and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "wary," "careful" is the correct answer.

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Question

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

FICKLE

Answer

"Fickle" is an adjective that means "changing frequently, especially as regards one's loyalties, interests, or affection," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "changing frequently." "Constant," then, cannot be the correct answer because "constant" is an antonym of "changing frequently." "Inconstant," however, is an adjective that means either "frequently changing; variable or irregular," or when used of a person or their behavior, "not faithful and dependable." Because "inconstant" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "fickle," "inconstant" is the correct answer.

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Question

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

PRESUMPTUOUS

Answer

"Presumptuous" is an adjective that is used of a person or their behavior and means "failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not appropriate." "Apt," then, cannot be the correct answer because "apt" means "appropriate or suitable in the circumstances," making it an antonym, not a synonym of "presumptuous." "Audacious," however, is an adjective that means either "showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks," or "showing an impudent lack of respect." Because "audacious" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "presumptuous," "audacious" is the correct answer.

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Question

A synonym of "eccentric" is __________.

Answer

"Eccentric" is an adjective that is used of a person or their behavior and means "unconventional and slightly strange." So, we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "unconventional." "Conventional," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "conventional, which means "based on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed," is an antonym, not a synonym, of "unconventional." "Quirky," however, is an adjective that means "characterized by peculiar or unexpected traits," and because "quirky" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "eccentric," "quirky" is the correct answer.

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Question

A synonym of “quirky” is __________.

Answer

“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.

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Question

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

WILY

Answer

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.

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Question

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

TIMID

Answer

"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.

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Question

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

OBTUSE

Answer

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.

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Question

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

NOBLE

Answer

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."

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Question

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

OPTIMISTIC

Answer

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.

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Question

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

NOBLE

Answer

The word "noble" means praised for character or excellence. The best choice is "distinguished" which means well-known, typically for excellence.

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Question

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

CALLOUS

Answer

The word "callous" means harsh or insensitive. The best choice is "insensitive," as it is a part of the definition of "callous." Considering the other choices, "verdant" means green or covered in plants,"abject" means hopeless,and "talkative" means talking a lot.

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Question

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

EXQUISITE

Answer

The word "exquisite" means of special beauty or charm or extraordinary. The best choice is "refined" which means showing good taste. Considering the other choices, "ask" means offer a question to, "extolled" means praised, and "conjoined" means joined together.

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Question

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

COURTEOUS

Answer

"Courteous" means polite and well-mannered, so "polite" is the correct answer. "Frigid" means extremely cold. "Identical" means exactly alike. "Outdated" means obsolete or out of fashion. "Trustworthy" means reliable or dependable.

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Question

Select the synonym.

Regal

Answer

Regal can be defined as something befitting a king, while grand can be defined as something noble or revered. These two words are synonyms. None of the other answer choices have similar meanings.

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Question

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

SCATHING

Answer

"Scathing" means harsh or critical, so "harsh" is the correct answer. To help you, "bashful" means shy, "apparent" means obvious, and "talkative" means talking a lot.

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