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

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #169 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

FOREBODE

Possible Answers:

Praise

Befriend

Collect

Warn

Gesticulate

Correct answer:

Warn

Explanation:

The Old English prefix fore- means before, in front of, coming before, as in "forecast" which is a prediction of future events. So, "forebode" means to warn of, to herald, to foreshadow. To provide additional help, "befriend" means to make friends with; "gesticulate" means gesture to, motion about, to use dramatic body movements to express an idea

Example Question #170 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

BEDECK

Possible Answers:

Apprehend 

Festoon 

Inquire 

Puncture 

Dispute 

Correct answer:

Festoon 

Explanation:

The prefix "be-" means to make, to do and “bedeck” means to decorate, to make something look festive. This is close in meaning to “festoon.” To provide further help, “puncture” means pierce; “dispute” means argue against; “inquire” means ask after; “apprehend” means catch or arrest

Example Question #211 : Synonyms

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

SURPASS

Possible Answers:

Regress

Neutralize

Exceed

Summit

Undermine

Correct answer:

Exceed

Explanation:

When someone "surpasses" something such as a world record in running, it means they "exceed" the previously set limit or expectation. The other answer chocies are as follows: to "summit" is to reach the peak; to "regress" is to go backwards; to "undermine" is to weaken; and to "neutralize" is to counteract.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Other Languages

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

REDOUBTABLE

Possible Answers:

Pathetic

Daunting

Clingy

Gross

Superlative

Correct answer:

Daunting

Explanation:

“Redoubtable” is an adjective that means “formidable” when referring to a person, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “formidable.” That means that “pathetic” cannot be the correct answer, because “pathetic” means “arousing pity,” making it a near antonym, not a synonym, of “redoubtable.” “Daunting,” however, is an adjective that means “intimidating,” and because “daunting” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “redoubtable,” “daunting” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

PESTICIDE

Possible Answers:

Rat feeder

Insect feeder

Insect tracker

Insect killer

Rat tracker

Correct answer:

Insect killer

Explanation:

The suffix "-cide" means related to killing and the prefix "pest-" means related to pests, such as insects or rats. In this instance, since there is no option for “rat killer” the correct answer is “insect killer.”

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

FORMULATE

Possible Answers:

Find

Understand

Express

Create

Calculate

Correct answer:

Create

Explanation:

The answer choice closest in meaning to "formulate" is "create." For example, if you "formulate" a plan, it means that you create a plan.

Example Question #222 : Synonyms

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

SEGREGATE

Possible Answers:

Keep from winning

Keep from moving 

Keep forever 

Keep awake 

Keep apart

Correct answer:

Keep apart

Explanation:

The prefix "se-" means apart or away, so “segregate” means keep apart

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Suffixes

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

LAUGHABLE

Possible Answers:

Prickly

Whiny

Ridiculous

Bold

Sensible

Correct answer:

Ridiculous

Explanation:

“Laughable” is an adjective that means “so ridiculous as to be amusing,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “ludicrous.” That means that “sensible” cannot be the correct answer, because “sensible” means “having good sense,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “laughable.” “Ridiculous,” however, is an adjective that means “absurd,” and because “ridiculous” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “laughable,” “ridiculous” is the correct answer.

Example Question #441 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

EQUITABLE

Possible Answers:

Uneven

Fair

Fragile

Fine

Ceremonial

Correct answer:

Fair

Explanation:

The prefix equi- means same or equal. A situation that is “equitable” is one that is the same for everyone, equal and fair. To provide further help, “fragile” means easily broken; “ceremonial” means done for reasons of tradition or ceremony.

Example Question #442 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

ABOMINABLE

Possible Answers:

Passable

Limited

Participating

Detestable

Sincere

Correct answer:

Detestable

Explanation:

"Abominable" is an adjective that can mean "causing moral revulsion" or "very bad or unpleasant." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "very bad." Because "detestable" means "deserving intense dislike," it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "abominable" and the correct answer.

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