ISEE Lower Level Verbal : ISEE Lower Level (grades 5-6) Verbal Reasoning

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #765 : Sentence Completions

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The tourists were disgusted by the __________ animal.

Possible Answers:

compassionate

beautiful

delicious

hideous

timeless

Correct answer:

hideous

Explanation:

If the tourists were disgusted by the animal than it must have been ugly, gross, and disgusting. The correct answer is therefore "hideous." Additionally, "timeless" means eternal, lasting forever; "beautiful" means very attractive, very pretty; "delicious" means tasty; "compassionate" means kind and generous.

Example Question #766 : Sentence Completions

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

The food is __________ and I cannot eat it.

Possible Answers:

delicious

superb

vile

magnificent

bewildering

Correct answer:

vile

Explanation:

If the speaker cannot eat the food it makes sense that the food is gross, disgusting, unpleasant. So, the correct answer is "vile." Additionally, "superb" and "magnificent" both mean excellent, fantastic; "delicious" means tasty; "bewildering" means confusing.

Example Question #767 : Sentence Completions

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

I did not understand what he was saying and gave him a __________ look.

Possible Answers:

essential

favorable

comprehending

quizzical

comprehensive

Correct answer:

quizzical

Explanation:

If the speaker did not understand the subject it would make sense for the speaker to give him a confused, questioning look. So, the correct answer is "quizzical." "Quizzical" means (of an expression) showing confusion or amusement. Additionally, "essential" means necessary, basic, needed; "comprehending" means understanding; "comprehensive" means including all possible options; "favorable" means offering some advantage.

Example Question #768 : Sentence Completions

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

The campers used some wood to make a __________ shelter and then took it down the next morning.

Possible Answers:

permanent

enduring

makeshift

perpetual

eternal

Correct answer:

makeshift

Explanation:

As the campers took down their shelter the next morning it could best be described as temporary or "makeshift." All the other answer choices are antonyms of "makeshift," they all mean lasting forever, permanent.

Example Question #769 : Sentence Completions

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

After years of practice she finally became __________ in Spanish.

Possible Answers:

fluent

parched

fearful

filthy

quirky

Correct answer:

fluent

Explanation:

You are told that the subject has been practicing Spanish for years so it would make sense for her to be able to speak the language very well. Someone who can speak a language clearly and accurately is said to be "fluent." Additionally, "filthy" means dirty; "parched" means thirsty; "fearful" means afraid; "quirky" means silly and weird.

Example Question #770 : Sentence Completions

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

Thankfully, his __________ plan was foiled.

Possible Answers:

beneficial

virtuous

diabolical

delightful

moral

Correct answer:

diabolical

Explanation:

To begin with "foiled" means prevented from happening. So, if the speaker was "thankful" that the subject's plan was prevented from happening it makes sense that the plan must have been evil or wicked. So, the correct answer is "diabolical." All the other answer choices, although not quite synonyms, are all positive adjectives. For example, "virtuous" means good, righteous, moral; "beneficial" means helpful.

Example Question #771 : Sentence Completions

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

The __________ farming community was located hundreds of miles from any cities.

Possible Answers:

aquatic

rural

suburban

urban

detestable

Correct answer:

rural

Explanation:

The community in this sentence is a farming community that is quite isolated and removed from other communities. It could therefore best be described as "rural." "Rural" means not related to cities or towns, of the countryside, to do with farming or living far removed from towns and cities. Additionally, "urban" means related to cities; "suburban" means related to towns that surround big cities; "aquatic" means related to the ocean; "destestable" means deserving of hatred.

Example Question #772 : Sentence Completions

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

The __________ material felt really unpleasant to touch.

Possible Answers:

serene

vast

tranquil

populous

coarse

Correct answer:

coarse

Explanation:

Based on the context you know that the adjective that you are looking for must relate to something that is not pleasant to touch. The correct answer is therefore "coarse." "Coarse" means not soft, rough. Additionally, "serene" means quiet and peaceful; "populous" means heavily populated, full of many people; "vast" means very large; "tranquil" means calm and peaceful.

Example Question #773 : Sentence Completions

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

A glass of warm milk before bed makes me feel __________ and helps me to sleep.

Possible Answers:

industrious

drowsy

apologetic

coy

courteous

Correct answer:

drowsy

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know that the correct answer must relate to being sleepy or to falling asleep. The correct answer is therefore "drowsy" which means sleepy, lacking energy, half-asleep. Additionally, "apologetic" means feeling sorry; "industrious" means hard-working; "courteous" means polite; "coy" means shy and reserved and secretive.

Example Question #774 : Sentence Completions

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

The money was __________ and the bank would not accept it.

Possible Answers:

counterfeit

genuine

titanic

elevated

permitted

Correct answer:

counterfeit

Explanation:

If the bank would not accept the money then there must have been something wrong with it. The correct answer needs to reflect this. Therefore the correct answer is "counterfeit" which means not real, fake, fraudulent. Additionally, "genuine" means real, it is an antonym of "counterfeit"; "permitted" means allowed; "titanic" means giant, very big; "elevated" means raised up.

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