ISEE Middle Level Verbal : ISEE Middle Level (grades 7-8) Verbal Reasoning

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1061 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

OVERBEARING

Possible Answers:

Caustic

Undocumented

Dominating

Vogue

Illustrious

Correct answer:

Dominating

Explanation:

Someone who is "overbearing" is arrogantly dismissive of other's viewpoints, dominating and bullying. To provide further help, "illustrious" means acclaimed, well regarded, highly-praised; "undocumented" means not recorded, not written down; "vogue" means popular, fashionable; "caustic" means sarcastic and bitter.

Example Question #1062 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

PRODIGAL

Possible Answers:

Lawful

Scornful

Wasteful

Harmful

Dreadful

Correct answer:

Wasteful

Explanation:

"Prodigal" means wasteful, spending money needlessly and wastefully. To provide further help, "lawful" means within the law; "dreadful" means terrible; "scornful" means mocking, contemptuous, expressing dislike; "harmful" means causing harm, not helpful.

Example Question #1063 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

CANDID

Possible Answers:

Angry

Obnoxious

Loud

Truthful

Deceptive

Correct answer:

Truthful

Explanation:

Whenever someone is "candid," he or she is honest. Whenever someone has a "candid" personality trait, we say that he or she has candor. These words actually come from the Latin for white. Whenever we are honest or candid, we do not "color over" the truth. We just speak the truth honestly (often bluntly and directly). Thus, the best option for this question is "truthful."

Example Question #1064 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

ASTUTE

Possible Answers:

Careful

Reflective

Insightful

Scholarly

Detailed

Correct answer:

Insightful

Explanation:

Perhaps you have heard the expression "an astute observation. "For example, someone might say, "The teacher was impressed by the astute observation made by Susan. Her remark was insightful and intelligent." Whenever we are astute, we are able to understand a situation or topic quickly and ably. Often, we are able to use that knowledge to our own advantage. For this question, however, we do not need to worry about this second part of the meaning. The only option that expresses a synonym for astute is "insightful." Even if someone is reflective, this is not the same as being insightful. A reflective person is someone who can think about things deeply. Often reflective people can be astute, but the word "reflective" is not as good of a synonym for "astute" as is "insightful."

Example Question #1065 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

CHARMING

Possible Answers:

Complete

Wealthy

Pleasing

Beautiful

Grateful

Correct answer:

Pleasing

Explanation:

Whenever someone is "charming," we like to be in his or her presence. A "charming" attitude or demeanor is one that is pleasant and likeable. When we are "charmed" by something, we are "pleased" by that thing (and often desire to have it). Thus, the best option among those provided is "pleasing." Whenever someone says, "He is a very charming person," he or she likely means, "He is very pleasing to be around."

Example Question #1066 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

OBNOXIOUS

Possible Answers:

Foolish

Illegal

Stupid

Immoral

Horrible

Correct answer:

Horrible

Explanation:

The word "obnoxious" is related to the word "noxious." Whenever there are "noxious" vapors in an area, these vapors are unpleasant in odor and perhaps even dangerous. A person who has an "obnoxious" personality is annoying and displeasing to be around. Indeed, such a person can really be horrible company, and that is the sense implied in this question. We tend to think of foolish people as being obnoxious; however, this does not mean that these two words are synonymous with each other. Instead, the foolishness is the cause of the person's being obnoxious. Hence, the only option that really expresses the idea of being unpleasant is "horrible."

Example Question #1067 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

DERANGED

Possible Answers:

Harmful

Surprised

Disorganized

Irrational

Intriguing

Correct answer:

Irrational

Explanation:

The word "deranged" is a very strong adjective for describing something that we think is "totally crazy." Thus, the best option will express this idea of being insane. The only option that does so is "irrational," which means totally unreasonable. For example, you could say, "He was so deranged that he thought he could swim in the lava to save the diamond." This means that the person was so irrational that he thought it was a reasonable thing to save the diamond in this manner.

Example Question #1068 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

JOVIAL

Possible Answers:

Frightening

Deranged

Sociable

Delicious

Plump

Correct answer:

Sociable

Explanation:

Whenever someone is "jovial," he or she is very friendly or genial. Such a person is likely very enjoyable company when at a social gathering. It is for this reason that the word "jovial" can have the word "sociable" as a possible synonym. A "sociable" person is likely friendly and very good at interacting with others.

Example Question #1069 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

MELODRAMATIC

Possible Answers:

Overdone

Annoying

Intrigued

Disturbed

Performed

Correct answer:

Overdone

Explanation:

The word "melodramatic" describes someone or something that is overstated in its character. As regards people, a melodramatic person is basically someone who has a dramatic or overstated personality. Thus, the word "overdone" is a fine enough synonym for describing such a person.

Example Question #1070 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

OBLIVIOUS

Possible Answers:

Disappointed

Vapid

Insane

Unobservant

Foolish

Correct answer:

Unobservant

Explanation:

Whenever someone is "oblivious," he or she is completely unaware of things. The word is related to "oblivion," which means nothingness. It is like the oblivious person's awareness is filled with nothingness—instead of actual awareness of his or her surroundings! Therefore, we can say, "Henry was so oblivious of his surroundings, that he walked into a wall without even noticing it."

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors