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 #363 : Synonyms

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

BUFFOON

Possible Answers:

Genius 

Youthful 

Miser 

Ancient 

Fool 

Correct answer:

Fool 

Explanation:

A "buffoon" is someone who makes a fool of themselves. To help you, "youthful" means young, "ancient" means very old, and a "miser" is someone who saves all the money that they can.

Example Question #364 : Synonyms

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

NEMESIS

Possible Answers:

Opponent

Candidate

Archaeologist

Occurrence

Receipt

Correct answer:

Opponent

Explanation:

A "nemesis" is an opponent, enemy, or adversary, so "opponent" is the correct answer. An "archaeologist" is a person who studies prehistoric people and their lifestyles. A "candidate" is a person who applies for a job or is nominated for a position. An "occurrence" is an event or happening. A "receipt" is a document that shows that a bill has been paid.

Example Question #365 : Synonyms

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

DESPOT

Possible Answers:

List 

Depot

Tyrant

Store

Correct answer:

Tyrant

Explanation:

A "despot" is a tyrant. The best choice is "tyrant," which means an oppressive or unjust ruler. Considering the other choices, a "store" is a place where people go to make purchases, "list" means a group of things that are written down, and a "depot" is a warehouse. 

Example Question #361 : Synonyms

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

PROGENY

Possible Answers:

Adults

Professionals

Amateurs

Children

Ancestors

Correct answer:

Children

Explanation:

"Progeny" is another word for offspring or someone's children. To provide further help, a "professional" is someone paid for their work, whereas an "amateur" is someone not paid for work. We call the people that came before us our "ancestors," so for example, your grandfather is one of your ancestors. 

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

CULPRIT

Possible Answers:

Innocent person 

Crime

Bystander

Thief

Guilty person

Correct answer:

Guilty person

Explanation:

A "culprit" is the person responsible for doing something wrong or the guilty person. So, "guilty person" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TURNCOAT

Possible Answers:

Supporter

Ally

Traitor

Financier

Enemy

Correct answer:

Traitor

Explanation:

A “turncoat” is a traitor; someone who betrays his allies and helps his former enemies. Almost every American school child has heard of Benedict Arnold, the famous turncoat from the Revolutionary War. To provide further guidance, an "ally" is someone on your side; an "enemy" is someone who you are fighting against; a "supporter" is a fan; a "financier" is someone who provides the money to make something happen.

Example Question #11 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CAUCUS

Possible Answers:

Script

Meeting

Cautious

Zenith

Correct answer:

Meeting

Explanation:

A "caucus" is a gathering of members of an organization in order to discuss a special interest or cause. The best choice is "meeting," which means a coming together of people. Considering the other choices, "zenith" means the highest point, "script" means handwriting or a document detailing what should be said and done in a movie or play, and "cautious" means careful.

Example Question #12 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PATRON

Possible Answers:

Critic 

Cacophony 

Establish 

Customer 

Portray 

Correct answer:

Customer 

Explanation:

A “patron” is a customer, someone who visits a business. To provide further help, a “critic” is someone who judges things, usually art, and often harshly; a “cacophony” is a loud and unpleasant pairing of noises; “establish” means set up; “portray” means depict or show.

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

BUFFOON

Possible Answers:

Liberator

Erudite

Fool

Patriarch

Chaperone

Correct answer:

Fool

Explanation:

"Buffoon" is a noun meaning "a ridiculous but amusing person; a clown," so we need to pick out an answer choice that is a noun and means "a ridiculous, but amusing person." Of the possible answer choices, "erudite" is not a noun but an adjective, so it cannot be the correct answer. Picking between "fool," "liberator," "patriarch," and "chaperone," "fool" is the best answer choice because "fool" means "a person who acts unwisely or imprudently; a silly person," or "a jester or clown, especially one retained in a noble household."

Example Question #14 : Identifying Synonyms

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

QUACK

Possible Answers:

Scribe 

Creditor 

Genuine 

Phony 

Doctor 

Correct answer:

Phony 

Explanation:

A "quack" is someone who is not genuine, a fake, a phony. To further help you, "genuine" means real; a "scribe" is someone who writes information; a "creditor" is someone who lends money under the expectation that it is favorably paid back.

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