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 #2 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

SAVANT

Possible Answers:

Enigma

Misogynist

Amateur

Intellectual

Iconoclast

Correct answer:

Intellectual

Explanation:

"Savant" and "intellectual" both mean an academic or highly intelligent person. "Amateur" means beginner or learner. "Misogynist" means someone who hates women. "Iconoclast" is someone who breaks from established norms or traditions. "Enigma" is a puzzle or riddle.

Example Question #224 : Synonyms

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

ADVERSARY

Possible Answers:

Feud

Fighter

Anger

Opponent

Soldier

Correct answer:

Opponent

Explanation:

The word “adversary” literally comes from the roots “to turn toward.” The word “reverse” has a similar root in it, here meaning to turn back. (The “re-” prefix indicates the “back” portion of the meaning.) Someone’s adversary is not necessarily a fighter in the literal sense, though that person is “turned toward” another person or, in another way, turned against that person. While two people in a duel are adversaries, it is likewise the case that two disputing scholars could be called the same.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

SYCOPHANT

Possible Answers:

implication

lackey

misanthrope

analogue

enigma

Correct answer:

lackey

Explanation:

"Sycophant" means lackey, croney, or minion. "Analogue" means parallel or matching. "Implication" means association or suggestion. "Enigma" means riddle or puzzle. "Misanthrope" means someone who hates others.

Example Question #1941 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

MECHANIC

Possible Answers:

Technician

Fabricated

Technical

Laborer

Deistic

Correct answer:

Technician

Explanation:

The noun “mechanic” merely means one who specializes in maintaining and fixing things that are mechanical, that is, machinery and technology. Options like “technical” and “fabricated” do not work, as they are adjectives. “Laborer” is not as close as “technician,” which best captures the sense of working on technological (hence mechanical) things.

Example Question #3 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MENDICANT

Possible Answers:

Perjurer

Liar

Thief

Seamstress

Beggar

Correct answer:

Beggar

Explanation:

You might know the word “mendacious,” which means “lying.” The word “mendicant” does not mean this but instead means “beggar.” The word is often used to describe certain religious order in the Roman Catholic church, which arose in the Middle Ages, like the Franciscans and Dominicans who originally made their living begging while they preached. The word can be used more broadly, but it also is important to know this historical usage, as it comprises a significant factor in late pre-modern history.

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

HERETIC

Possible Answers:

Deist

Secularist

Pantheist

Apostate

Atheist

Correct answer:

Apostate

Explanation:

The word “heretic” is perhaps used by many people in inexact manners. It is originally derived from Greek that merely meant “to choose” or “to select.” While it is regularly applied to religious matters, the term more generally means “one who has chosen one doctrine to the exclusion of others.” Such a person holds an opinion that is outside the norms and beliefs of a given group. An “apostate” is one who has abandoned a set of views—often religious, though not always. Among the options provided, this is the closest to “heretic.”

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

PARAGON

Possible Answers:

Prodigy

Decree

Nomad

Epitome

Impasse

Correct answer:

Epitome

Explanation:

A "paragon" is an exemplary example of something, so "epitome," which means or embodiment, archetype, or model, is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, a “prodigy” is a young person who is especially gifted; an “impasse” is a situation that cannot be passed, a deadlock, or a stalemate; a “nomad” is a person who wanders from place to place without a permanent home; and a “decree” means an official order, often given by a monarch.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

RECLUSE

Possible Answers:

Savior

Hermit

Antagonist

Villain

Protagonist

Correct answer:

Hermit

Explanation:

A "recluse" is a person who lives alone and avoids all contact with people. This is very similar in meaning to a "hermit." To provide further help, a "protagonist" is the hero of a story; an "antagonist" is the villian of a story.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

PEER

Possible Answers:

Juror

Legislator

Equal

Outlaw

Enemy

Correct answer:

Equal

Explanation:

A "peer" is a contemporary, an equal, someone of the same social grouping as you. To provide further help, a "juror" is someone who sits on a jury; an "outlaw" is a bandit, someone who operates outside the law; a "legislator" is a lawmaker

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

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

INSURGENT

Possible Answers:

Student

Teacher

Rebel

Guard

Soldier

Correct answer:

Rebel

Explanation:

An "insurgent" is a rebel, someone seeking to overthrow the existing political order. While "insurgents" may, in fact, act as "soldiers," not all insurgents are directly involved with warfare, nor are any insurgents members of an official state-sanctioned army, so the two words are not synonymous.

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