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 #415 : Synonyms

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

MARINA

Possible Answers:

Commentator

Captain

Moderator

Harbor

Professor

Correct answer:

Harbor

Explanation:

"Marina" comes from the same Latin roots as "maritime" (located or having to do with the sea), "mariner" (sailor), and "marine" (living in an ocean or sea), so we can infer that it will have something to do with the ocean. A "marina" is the place in which boats are kept when they are not being sailed. This makes "harbor" the correct answer, as it is closest in meaning to "marina." As for the other answer choices, a “commentator” is someone who talks about what is happening as it is happening to explain it to other people watching it; a “moderator” is someone who listens to two people and tries to stop them from fighting and help them reach an agreement; a “professor” is a teacher at university; and one meaning of "captain" is someone who is in charge of a ship.

Example Question #416 : Synonyms

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

JUNCTION

Possible Answers:

Demonstration

Implication

Connection

Eradication

Application

Correct answer:

Connection

Explanation:

A “junction” is the physical place or location where two things join, so the best answer choice is “connection,” which means link between two things. As for the other answer choices, “demonstration” is an act of showing of how something works or is done by seeing it done as an example; an “implication” is suggestion or what something suggests will happen; an “application” is a formal request for something; and "eradication” means the act of completely killing off or getting rid of something.

Example Question #417 : Synonyms

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

FOLIAGE

Possible Answers:

Nutrient

Vegetation

Herbivore

Food

Forest

Correct answer:

Vegetation

Explanation:

"Foliage" means leaves and greenery, so "vegetation" is the best answer choice. As for the other answer choices, "food" means substance that is eaten in order to gain nutrients and energy; "nutrient" means vitamin that supports survival and growth; "forest" means wooded area or large group of trees; and "herbivore" means plant-eating animal.

Example Question #418 : Synonyms

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

TALISMAN

Possible Answers:

Charm

Evil

Stone

Superstitious

Rubber

Correct answer:

Charm

Explanation:

A "talisman" is a symbol that is thought to bring good luck. It could be a necklace or a lucky rabbit's foot, or anything a person believes is lucky. A "charm" means the same thing. The word "talisman" is a noun, so you should have eliminated words that weren't nouns when looking at the answers. This leaves only "charm" and "stone."

Example Question #419 : Synonyms

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

NUCLEUS

Possible Answers:

Homicide

Periphery

Felony

Larceny

Center

Correct answer:

Center

Explanation:

The "nucleus" is the core or center of something. To provide further help, "homicide" means murder; "larceny" means thievery; a "felony" is a crime; the "periphery" is what is on the outskirts. The "periphery" is opposite to the "nucleus." 

Example Question #421 : Synonyms

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

INCOME

Possible Answers:

Wages

Companion

Outlier

Entrance

Accomplice

Correct answer:

Wages

Explanation:

"Income" means money earned through a job, wages, salary. To provide further help, an "outlier" is something or someone that falls well outside the center of a group, something unusual, a unique piece of data; a "companion" is a friend, someone who is with you; an "accomplice" is a person who assists another person in committing a crime.

Example Question #422 : Synonyms

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

VOCATION

Possible Answers:

Committee

Arbiter

Protest

Syndicate

Occupation

Correct answer:

Occupation

Explanation:

A "vocation" is a job or an occupation. To provide further help, a "committee" is a group of people who meet to decide something; a "syndicate" is a group of people who work together to further their common interests; an "arbiter" is a person given power to settle a disagreement, the person who makes the decision.

Example Question #423 : Synonyms

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

FEAT

Possible Answers:

Nuisance

Reason

Failure

Hardship

Accomplishment

Correct answer:

Accomplishment

Explanation:

A "feat" is an accomplishment, something achieved or completed. To provide further help, a "hardship" is a difficulty; a "nuisance" is something irritating or annoying.

Example Question #424 : Synonyms

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

ONSET

Possible Answers:

Start

Intermission

Pause

End

Delay

Correct answer:

Start

Explanation:

The "onset" of something is the start of something, the beginning. To provide further help, an "intermission" is a break in the middle of a performance. A "pause" is a temporary cessation of speech or activity. "End" is an antonym to "onset." You might "delay" the "onset" of something, but the two words are not close to being synonymous.

Example Question #425 : Synonyms

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

ADHESIVE

Possible Answers:

Enemy

Friend

Wood

Mirror

Glue

Correct answer:

Glue

Explanation:

An "adhesive" is something sticky, like glue, used to stick two objects together. While "wood glue" can be a useful tool, by itself "wood" refers to a solid substance drawn from trees. "Friend" is a liked companion, and thus mostly unrelated. "Enemy" is an antonym to "friend." "Mirrors" while often framed by "wood" and held together with an "adhesive" (like wood glue!) it is unrelated as a noun to the word "adhesive."

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