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 #651 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

INTRICATE

Possible Answers:

Complicated

Straightforward

Simple

Unified

Correct answer:

Complicated

Explanation:

The adjective "intricate" refers to something that is complex or nuanced. It is sometimes used to describe physical complexity (like an intricate system of highways), but also applies to ideas that may be difficult to grasp. "Complicated" is the clear synonym here. Of the remaining choices, both "straightforward" and "simple" are antonyms of the given word, since they convey a lack of complexity. "Unified" is used to describe groups that have been united or brought together.

Example Question #652 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

PRECISE

Possible Answers:

Immature

Exact

Careless

Serious

Incomplete

Correct answer:

Exact

Explanation:

The adjective "precise" refers to an extremely accurate or specific measurement or assessment. "Exact," which also refers to an accurate or correct quantity, is our answer. "Careless" is clearly incorrect, since it describes something that is sloppy and unlikely to be perfectly measured. You might use the word "immature" to describe a person who acts unusually young and inexperienced; neither this term nor "incomplete" (unfinished) is related to the given word.

Example Question #653 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

Select the synonym.

Enchanting

Possible Answers:

Confusing

Discouraging

Delectable

Dueling

Dreadful

Correct answer:

Delectable

Explanation:

Both enchanting and delectable can be defined as highly pleasing. 

Discouraging, dueling, and dreadful are antonyms to enchanting.

Something enchanting may or may not be confusing, so that does not work either.

 

Example Question #654 : 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.

HEINOUS

Possible Answers:

Benevolent

Generous

Benign

Evil

Correct answer:

Evil

Explanation:

"Heinous" means shockingly evil. "Benign" means harmless, while "generous" means giving, and "benevolent" means good. If you can figure out that "benign," "generous," and "benevolent" all have similar meanings and are not synonyms of "heinous," you can narrow down the answer to "evil."

Example Question #655 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

CONTRARY

Possible Answers:

Stubborn

Cooperative

Opposite

Wary

Similar

Correct answer:

Opposite

Explanation:

"Contrary" means opposite or willfully refusing to agree, so "opposite" is the correct answer. You can also figure this out by thinking of the phrase "on the contrary," which is used to introduce information that considers the topic of conversation from an opposing viewpoint. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "contrary": "cooperative" means working together toward a common goal; "stubborn" means refusing to change one's mind even when given good evidence or reasons to do so; and "wary" means cautious or careful.

Example Question #656 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

OMINOUS

Possible Answers:

Auspicious

Sorrowful

Menacing 

Obnoxious 

Correct answer:

Menacing 

Explanation:

The word "ominous" means threatening or suggesting that something bad is going to happen; therefore, "menacing," which also means threatening, is the word that most closely matches the definition of "ominous." "Auspicious," which means favorable or promising, is the opposite of "ominous," and therefore incorrect. "Sorrowful," which means feeling or showing sadness, and "obnoxious" are unrelated to the definition of "ominous" and therefore also incorrect.  

Example Question #657 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

A synonym of "contrary" is . . .

Possible Answers:

opposite

purposeful

surprising

similar

judicious

Correct answer:

opposite

Explanation:

"Contrary" is an adjective that means "opposite in nature, direction, or meaning," so we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "opposite." "Similar" cannot be the correct answer because "similar" is an antonym of "opposite," but because "opposite" is one of the answer choices, and the answer choice closest in meaning to "contrary," "opposite" is the correct answer.

Example Question #658 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

DEFICIENT

Possible Answers:

Obsolete

Negative 

Courteous

Lacking 

Positive

Correct answer:

Lacking 

Explanation:

Deficient means lacking or missing something. To further help you, courteous means polite; obsolete means no longer useful or out of date; negative means bad; positive means good.

Example Question #659 : 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.

SUBLIME

Possible Answers:

Subordinate

Last

Secondary

Subsidiary

Magnificent

Correct answer:

Magnificent

Explanation:

"Sublime" means awe-inspiring or overwhelmingly magnificent. "Magnificent" is the best match because it means impressive or spectacular.

Example Question #660 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

CONTRARY

Possible Answers:

Opposing 

Supporting 

Encouraging 

Manipulating

Diabolical 

Correct answer:

Opposing 

Explanation:

“Contrary” is similar in meaning to "opposing." It is commonly heard in the expression, “on the contrary,” meaning in opposition to what someone is saying. To provide further help, “encouraging” means offering support; “manipulating” means controlling or tricking; “diabolical” means evil. You could say that someone who is always trying to “manipulate” others is very “diabolical.”

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