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 #219 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

OUTPERFORM

Possible Answers:

Intrinsic 

Do worse than 

Underwhelm 

Do better than 

Overwhelm 

Correct answer:

Do better than 

Explanation:

The prefix "out-" generally means surpassing or exceeding, so if you “outperform” someone, you perform better than they do. So, "do better than" is the correct answer. To provide further help, “overwhelm” means overpower emotionally and “underwhelm” means disappoint, and “intrinsic” means basic, natural, or inherent.

Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

HINDER

Possible Answers:

Foil

Annoy

Torture

Belittle

Retard

Correct answer:

Retard

Explanation:

To "hinder" someone is to put something in his or her way to prevent him or her from completing whatever it is he or she is working on. A "hindrance" is an obstacle blocking someone from completing his or her desired task as quickly as desired. The word "retard" means to slow down. For instance, you could say either, "I hindered the development of the new apartment building," or, "I retarded the developement of the new apartment building."

Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

ATTAIN

Possible Answers:

Overcome

Obtain

Obscure

Persevere

Abandon

Correct answer:

Obtain

Explanation:

By "attaining" something, like a dream or goal, you obtain it or accomplish it.

Example Question #41 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

ABOLISH

Possible Answers:

Arrive

Leave

End

Continue

Begin

Correct answer:

End

Explanation:

"Abolish" is a verb that means formally put an end to a rule or manner of acting. So, we need to pick out a word that means something like put an end to. "End," when used as a verb, means stop, so "end" is the best answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "abolish."

Example Question #42 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

NULLIFY

Possible Answers:

Void

Describe

Uphold

Warn

Compliment

Correct answer:

Void

Explanation:

"Nullify" is a verb that means "make legally null and void; invalidate" or "make of no use or value; cancel out." So, we need to pick out a verb that means something like "invalidate" or "cancel out." "Uphold," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "uphold" is a verb that means "confirm or support (something that has been questioned)" or "maintain (a custom or practice)," making "uphold" an antonym, not a synonym, of "nullify." "Void," however, when used as an adjective, means " declare that (something) is not valid or legally binding" or "discharge or drain away (water, gases, etc.)." Because "void" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "nullify," "void" is the correct answer.

Example Question #43 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

REGULATE

Possible Answers:

Return

Monitor

Persecute

Attack

Correct answer:

Monitor

Explanation:

A "regulation" is a type of limitation or a kind of rule that is set for some activity. For instance, when someone builds a power plant, it must have certain kinds of "scrubbers" to reduce the pollution that comes out of the plant's smoke stacks. These scrubbers are required because of regulations that have been put in place by the government. When used as a verb, to "regulate" means to watch over the regulations or merely to watch over. When we "monitor" something, we watch its progress. The word "monitor" is often used as a noun to describe the person or thing which is monitoring. A "hall monitor" is someone who watches the halls in a school to make sure that nothing bad happens. A computer monitor—the screen—is what allows you to watch a digital display of the computer's processes.

Example Question #44 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

ABOLISH

Possible Answers:

Begin

End

Institute

Decree

Law

Correct answer:

End

Explanation:

To "abolish" means to end, ban, or completely do away with something, such as a law. To "abolish" can mean to end, so "end" is the best match.

Example Question #45 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

DESIST

Possible Answers:

Carp 

Complain 

Prevent 

Forbid 

Stop 

Correct answer:

Stop 

Explanation:

“Desist” means to stop or to make something stop. To provide further help, “forbid” means ban, not allow; “prevent” means stop something from happening before it happens; “carp” means complain

Example Question #46 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

ADHERE

Possible Answers:

Surpass

Eliminate

Sample

Conquer

Stick

Correct answer:

Stick

Explanation:

"Adhere" means stick or cling to, so "stick" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "adhere": "eliminate" means remove or get rid of; "surpass" means exceed or go beyond; "conquer" means take over an area or defeat others; and "sample," when used as a verb, can mean try something.

Example Question #47 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

ANTICIPATE

Possible Answers:

Handle

Predict

Overtake

Surprise

Mingle

Correct answer:

Predict

Explanation:

"Anticipate" is a verb that means "regard as probable; expect or predict," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "regard as possible." "Surprise" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "surprise" can mean " capture, attack, or discover suddenly and unexpectedly; catch unawares," so if an event surprises someone, that person was obviously not anticipating the event. "Predict," however, is a verb that means "say or estimate that (a specified thing) will happen in the future or will be a consequence of something," and because "predict" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "anticipate," "predict" is the correct answer.

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