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 #6 : Synonyms: Roots From Greek

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

EUPHONIOUS

Possible Answers:

Pleasant-sounding

Superfluous

Discordant

Harsh

Sensual

Correct answer:

Pleasant-sounding

Explanation:

The prefix "eu-" means good and "-phon-" means sound, so it makes sense that “euphonious” means sounding nice, mellow, and sweet, or "pleasant-sounding." As for the other answer choices, “harsh” means unpleasant, rough and grating; “discordant” means disagreeing or contradictory; “sensual” means relating to, or pleasing to, the senses; and “superfluous” means nonessential.

Example Question #71 : Synonyms: Roots

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

EGALITARIAN

Possible Answers:

Academic

Democratic

Political

Oligarchical

Divided

Correct answer:

Democratic

Explanation:

The word "egalitarian" comes from roots meaning equal. When a society is egalitarian, it treats all of its members as equals and tries to acknowledge this. The best option among those provided here is "democratic." This does not have to do directly with the current American political party that goes by this name. Instead, "democratic" is based on a particular Greek notion of one kind of government that bases itself on the equality of all the people. None of the other options express this kind of egalitarianism.

Example Question #1931 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

DYNAMIC

Possible Answers:

Explosive

Stupendous

Successful

Effective

Vigorous

Correct answer:

Vigorous

Explanation:

The word "dynamic" comes from the Greek word for power. Think of dynamite, which creates a very powerful explosion. Now, the primary meaning of "dynamic" in English is energetic or having much energy or vitality. Thus, the word "vigorous" is the best option among those provided, for it means having much energy. While we might think of dynamic people as being "successful," "effective," and perhaps even "stupendous," these are not the immediate meanings of "dynamic."

Example Question #1932 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

HYPOTHERMIC

Possible Answers:

Arid

Moist

Freezing

Infected

Stifling

Correct answer:

Freezing

Explanation:

There are two relevant roots in "hypothermic." The Greek prefix hypo- means under, having too little of and the root -therm- means related to temperature. So, "hypothermic" means (of the body) very cold, freezing. Additionally, "arid" means dry; "moist" means wet; "infected" means sick with; "stifling" means uncomfortably hot.

Example Question #1933 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

ALEXIA

Possible Answers:

Notoriety

Polygamy

Capacity

Illiteracy

Infamy

Correct answer:

Illiteracy

Explanation:

The Greek root -lex- means word, read, write, as in "lexicon," which means vocabulary. So, "alexia" means the loss of the ability to write. This is closest in meaning to "illiteracy," which means the inability to read and write. Additionally, "infamy" and "notoriety" both mean the quality of being famous for the wrong reasons; "polygamy" is the practice of having more than one spouse or partner; "capacity" means ability.

Example Question #1 : Identifying Synonyms

Answer the following sample question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

MENDICANT

Possible Answers:

proclivity

vagabond

contaminant

harbinger

iconoclast

Correct answer:

vagabond

Explanation:

A "mendicant" is a vagabond or a beggar. An "iconoclast" is someone who goes against established traditions or beliefs. A "harbinger" is an omen or portent. A "contaminant" is an impurity or pollutant. A "proclivity" is a tendency or a habit.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

STEVEDORE

Possible Answers:

dockworker

dotard

virtuoso

instigator

drivel

Correct answer:

dockworker

Explanation:

"Stevedore" and "dockworker" are both synonyms. "Drivel" means foolish talk or babble. "Virtuoso" means a person who is an expert. "Dotard" means a fogy or dull person. "Instigator" means troublemaker or agitator

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

WARD

Possible Answers:

Resident

Dependent

Protector

Demonstrator

Manager

Correct answer:

Dependent

Explanation:

"Ward" is a noun that can mean "a separate room in a hospital, typically one allocated to a particular type of patient," "an administrative division of a city or borough that typically elects and is represented by a councilor or councilors," or "a person, usually a minor, under the care and control of a guardian appointed by their parents or a court." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "a separate room in a hospital," "an administrative division of a city," or "a person under the care of a guardian." "Protector," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "protector" means the opposite of the third definition of "ward." "Dependent," however, when used as a noun, means "a person who relies on another, especially a family member, for financial support," and because "dependent" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "ward," "dependent" is the correct answer.

Example Question #222 : Synonyms

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

COTERIE

Possible Answers:

Clique

Malfunction

Omnivore

Insurgency

Extraction

Correct answer:

Clique

Explanation:

"Coterie" means clique or small group of friends, so "clique" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices is close in meaning to "coterie": "extraction" means the act of removing something or the act of taking something out of something else; an "omnivore" is an organism that consumes meat and vegetables; "insurgency" is an organized rebellion, usually against an established government; and "malfunction" means not function properly or break down.

Example Question #1934 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

RABBLE

Possible Answers:

Dilate

Murderers

Mob

Expound

Wander

Correct answer:

Mob

Explanation:

Do not confuse the word “rabble” with “ramble.” The latter means either “to wander” or “to speak in a confused, unending manner.” A “rabble” is a disorganized mob, sometimes implying that such people are the “low class rabble.” The best option among those provided would be “mob.”

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