ISEE Upper Level Verbal : ISEE Upper Level (grades 9-12) Verbal Reasoning

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #81 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

CRANIUM

Possible Answers:

Skull

Artery

Ankle

Tendon

Wrist

Correct answer:

Skull

Explanation:

The Greek prefix crani- means skull, brain, as in "craniology" which is the study of the composition of the skull (it is worth noting that the suffix -ology means study of, as in "biology" or the study of life). So, "cranium" means skull or less commonly brain. Additionally, a "tendon" is a fiber that connects muscle to bone; an "artery" is a vessel that transports blood from the heart to the rest of the body

Example Question #81 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

GYNECOID

Possible Answers:

Refined

Masculine

Juvenile

Diligent

Feminine

Correct answer:

Feminine

Explanation:

The Greek prefix gyno- means related to women, as in "gynecologist" which is a doctor that specializes in the care of the female body. So, "gynecoid" means relating to women, feminine, qualities associated with women. Additionally, "diligent" means hard-working, rigorous; "masculine" means a quality associated with men; "refined" means dignified, elegant, sophisticated; "juvenile" means childish, immature.

Example Question #83 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

ERGONOMIC

Possible Answers:

Capricious

Egregious

Festive

Comfortable

Resplendent

Correct answer:

Comfortable

Explanation:

The Greek prefix ergo- means work, as in "energy" or the ability to do work. So, "ergonomic" means designed to be as comfortable and user-friendly as possible for work. Additionally, "egregious" means shocking, appalling, disgraceful; "capricious" means inconsistent, subject to sudden changes in mood or desire; "resplendent" means magnificent, splendid, attractive and imposing.

Example Question #82 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

NECROMANCER

Possible Answers:

Heathen

Cretin

Preacher

Witch

Conformist

Correct answer:

Witch

Explanation:

The Greek prefix necro- means death, black, as in "necrosis" which is the death of skin or tissue. So, a "necromancer" means practitioner of dark magic. This is closest in meaning to "witch." Additionally, a "heathen" is a non-believer within a religion; a "cretin" is someone lacking morals or intellect, someone deserving of contempt; a "conformist" is someone who follows the generally accepted behavior of a society or group of people.

Example Question #83 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

HEMORRHAGE

Possible Answers:

Mourn

Weep

Replicate

Bleed

Expire

Correct answer:

Bleed

Explanation:

The Greek prefix hemo- means blood. So, a "hemorrhage" is a bleed, to "hemorrhage" is to bleed profusely, to bleed a lot. Additionally, "weep" means cry about; "mourn" means express sorrow for the loss of; to "expire" means to run out, to stop being usable; "replicate" means copy, reproduce

Example Question #131 : Synonyms

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

SOPHISM

Possible Answers:

Forerunner

Fallacy

Artisan

Savant

Epicurean

Correct answer:

Fallacy

Explanation:

The Greek prefix soph- means wise, as in "philosopher" or "sophisticated;" however, in "sophist" it has a contrary meaning. A "sophist" is a misleading argument, an argument that appears wise but is in fact not. This is closest in meaning to "fallacy," which means an incorrect argument or assumption. Additionally, "epicurean" means hedonist, a lover of pleasure and indulgence; a "savant" is a learned person, particularly someone who seems to have unusually intense expertise in one area; an "artisan" is a craftsman, a skilled-worker; a "forerunner" is something or someone that comes before the development or emergence of something or someone else, a precursor

Example Question #132 : Synonyms

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

PSEUDONYM

Possible Answers:

Fusion

Grievance

Alias

Diffidence

Prototype

Correct answer:

Alias

Explanation:

The prefix "pseudo-" means fake or artificial, so it makes sense that a “pseudonym” is a fake name, or an “alias.” A “grievance” is an injustice you feel has been done to you or a problem you might have with something; “fusion” means blend or combination; “diffidence” is lack of self-confidence; and a “prototype” is a first model of something.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Anglo Saxon

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

FOREBEAR

Possible Answers:

Outlaw

Mosaic

Discord

Descendent

Ancestor

Correct answer:

Ancestor

Explanation:

The prefix "fore-" means before, so it makes sense that "forebear" means progenitor or "ancestor." As for the other answers, “descendent” means someone who descends from a particular person or animal; an “outlaw” is a criminal; "discord” means disagreement or conflict; and a “mosaic” is a pattern or picture produced by arranging many small colorful pieces of glass in a ceramic base.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Anglo Saxon

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

OVERBEARING

Possible Answers:

Monotonous

Atrocious

Oppressive

Humiliating

Deleterious

Correct answer:

Oppressive

Explanation:

The prefix "over-" means above or superior, so it makes sense that “overbearing” means assuming superiority and acting oppressively and arrogantly towards others. This means that "oppressive" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “monotonous” means boring, uniform, and predictable; “humiliating” means debasing or embarrassing, “atrocious” means appalling, terrible, and disgusting; “deleterious” means harmful.

Example Question #24 : Hspt Verbal Skills

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

LEGIBLE

Possible Answers:

Readable

Political

Regulated

Law-like

Legal

Correct answer:

Readable

Explanation:

The word “legible” comes from the Latin “legere” meaning to read. The English word means clear and readable. It is related to the word “lector,” which means reader. Often people will talk about “legible handwriting,” but the word can be used to describe print words that are likewise readable.

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