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 #221 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

ECCENTRIC

Possible Answers:

Occasional

Commonplace

Sporadic

Casual

Irregular

Correct answer:

Irregular

Explanation:

Something that is "eccentric" is bizarre or "irregular." The other answer choices are not as fitting and have different meanings from "eccentric" or peculiar. They are as follows: "occasional" means occurring sometimes; "sporadic" means taking place off and on; and "commonplace" means ordinary.

Example Question #222 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

PRIMITIVE

Possible Answers:

Premier

Essential

Contemporary

Pivotal

Rudimentary

Correct answer:

Rudimentary

Explanation:

Something that is "primitive" is rudimentary and ancient, so "rudiementary" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, none are close in meaning to "primitive": "premier," when used as an adjective, means primary in importance; "pivotal" means crucial; and "contemporary" means modern or existing at the same time as.

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

PACIFY

Possible Answers:

Despise

Confound

Calm

Assist

Bewilder

Correct answer:

Calm

Explanation:

"Pacify" means make calm or bring peace to, so "calm" (here used as a verb) is the correct answer. To help you, "despise" means hate deeply, and "bewilder" and "confound" are synonyms which both mean confuse.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

LUMINOUS

Possible Answers:

Bright

Lonely

Dark

Enlivened

Secretive

Correct answer:

Bright

Explanation:

Something that is "luminous" is light and bright whereas "dark" is the exact opposite of "luminous." To be "enlivened" is to be awakened and to be "secretive" is to be hidden.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

A synonym of "benefactor" is . . .

Possible Answers:

enemy

donor

doctor

representative

ruler

Correct answer:

donor

Explanation:

A "benefactor" is defined as "a person who gives money or other help to a person or cause," so we need to pick out an answer choice that is a noun, refers to a person, and specifically means "a person who gives help to a cause." "Donor," a noun meaning "a person who donates something, especially money to a fund or charity," is the only answer choice that is similar in meaning to "benefactor," so "donor" is the correct answer.

Example Question #231 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters.

BENEFIT

Possible Answers:

Hindrance

Barrage

Obstacle

Advantage

Garrison

Correct answer:

Advantage

Explanation:

Something that is of "benefit" is something that helps; an advantage. To provide further guidance, an "obstacle" is something that gets in the way, which is also the same thing as a "hindrance;" "barrage means" to attack continuously; a "garrison" is a group of troops left to defend something.

Example Question #232 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

NEOPHYTE

Possible Answers:

Expert 

Intermediate 

Cathartic 

Novice 

Demanding 

Correct answer:

Novice 

Explanation:

A "neophyte" is someone who is a beginner or a novice, so "novice" is the correct answer. To help you, an "expert" is someone who has a lot of knowledge and experience in a certain area; "expert" is an antonym of "neophyte" and "novice." For further help, "intermediate" means middle or of a difficulty between easy and challenging. Finally, "cathartic" means healing due to allowing one to purge one's negative emotions.

Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Roots

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

CREDIBLE

Possible Answers:

Gullible

Stable

Trustworthy

Accurate

Believing

Correct answer:

Trustworthy

Explanation:

"Credible" means believable or trustworthy. For example, a newspaper is credible if it has high reporting standards and rarely makes mistakes or reports inaccurate information. So, "trustworthy" is the correct answer.

Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Roots

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

BENEFICIAL

Possible Answers:

Calm

Helpful

Suspicious

Sarcastic

Deleterious 

Correct answer:

Helpful

Explanation:

"Beneficial" means useful or helpful, so "helpful" is the correct answer. To help you, "deleterious" is a synonym of harmful, and both words are antonyms of "beneficial." To further help you, "sarcastic" means humorous, ironic and not serious, and "suspicious" means doubtful.

Example Question #33 : Synonyms: Roots

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

METROPOLIS

Possible Answers:

Jungle 

Mountain

Empire 

Suburb 

City 

Correct answer:

City 

Explanation:

The prefix "metro­-" means related to the city or to city life. A “metropolis” is a big city. To provide further help, we call the towns just outside a big city “suburbs.” 

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