ISEE Upper Level Verbal : ISEE Upper Level (grades 9-12) Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Upper Level Verbal
All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1934 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The recent discovery of oil on the property has led analysts to believe that the construction of refineries in the area will soon prove to be a very __________ investment.
vapid
lukewarm
deleterious
lucrative
demented
lucrative
Only "lucrative" means prosperous or financially promising.
Example Question #1935 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Termites are known to invade and destroy homes in such a(n) __________ nature that one does not notice their presence until it is too late.
invincible
insidious
benign
industrious
incomprehensible
insidious
"Insidious" means dangerous in a subtle way. Since the termites cause great damage to homes without the homeowners noticing, they can be described as "insidious."
Example Question #1932 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ fishermen pressed on for port despite the treacherous conditions of the sea that night.
intrepid
insouciant
innocuous
itinerant
irksome
intrepid
These fisherman were pressing on despite difficult circumstances. This description matches well with the meaning of "intrepid," an adjective that means fearless or bold.
Example Question #1933 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The doctor reassured the worried mother that the vaccine he was giving her child was completely __________ and that her baby was not in any danger.
innocuous
intrepid
inscrutable
insouciant
insipid
innocuous
"Innocuous" means harmless, and if the doctor told the mother that her the baby wouldn't be in any danger, the meaning of "innocuous" fits the context of the sentence.
Example Question #1934 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Living in Boston was __________ for the young couple, as all of their friends and family were still in California and they felt like they didn't know anyone.
dismantling
deploring
delineating
arduous
encumbering
arduous
"Arduous" means difficult and tiring. Living in a big city full of strangers can certainly be difficult and tiring, so "arduous" is the answer choice that best fits the context of the sentence.
Example Question #1935 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Receiving his court summons, Carl cursed our __________ society for being overly concerned with lawsuits.
supine
onerous
litigious
magnanimous
garrulous
litigious
"Litigious" means interested in lawsuits or tending to go to court to solve problems. Summoned by the courts, Carl cursed society for being excessively prone to go to the law to settle disputes.
Example Question #351 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Bobby Orr is truly a __________ ice hockey defenseman; no defenseman has ever dominated the sport like him.
peerless
common
modest
mediocre
importunate
peerless
"Peerless" means eminent beyond or above comparison. Because Bobby Orr dominated his sport like no other defenseman, it can be said that he is eminent beyond comparison.
Example Question #352 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The scientist reviewed all of the research on the matter and then proposed a __________ reason for the chimps' behavior.
outlandish
inconsiderate
implausible
plausible
intrepid
plausible
"Plausible" means reasonable. Naturally, a scientist would wish to put forward a reasonable (that is, plausible) explanation for the chimps' behavior.
Example Question #353 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After years of talking down to his players as if they were ignorant children, the coach finally acknowledged that his attitude was __________.
fastidious
variable
condescending
indifferent
commendable
condescending
The phrases “talking down” and “ignorant children” suggest that the coach’s attitude toward his players was one of patronizing superiority. "Condescending" fits this definition.
Example Question #354 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The superhero was __________ about his accolades; he said even less about his legendary powers.
caustic
grandiloquent
taciturn
bombastic
portent
taciturn
The semicolon indicates that a supporting relationship between the two thoughts separated by the semicolon. Here, the superhero said even less about his legendary powers. Thus, only "taciturn" (saying little) fits as an answer choice.
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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
