All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2001 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
LASSITUDE
legerdemain
lethargy
diligence
vigor
largess
lethargy
"Lassitude" and "lethargy" both mean apathy or fatigue. "Diligence" means perseverance in carrying out an action. "Vigor" means power or energy. "Largess" means generosity. "Legerdemain" means sleight of hand.
Example Question #2002 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
EXIGENCY
hegemony
largess
transient
boon
contingency
contingency
"Exigency" and "contingency" both mean difficulty or crisis. "Boon" means an advantage or blessing. "Hegemony" means dominion or authority. "Transient" means temporary or ephemeral. "Largess" means generosity or aid.
Example Question #2003 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
ATAVISM
rectitude
polemic
pariah
reversion
pathos
reversion
"Atavism" and "reversion" both mean backsliding or regression. "Pariah" means social outcast. "Pathos" means deep sadness or emotion. "Polemic" means argument or spat. "Rectitude" means uprightness or decency.
Example Question #2004 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
LIEN
whelp
consensus
suffragist
neologism
claim
claim
"Lien" and "claim" both mean a claim on property. "Consensus" means general agreement or accord. "Suffragist" means a voter or citizen. "Neologism" means a new word. "Whelp" means a young animal, especially a mammal.
Example Question #2005 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
COMMANDMENT
Insomnia
Rebellion
Compassion
Dearth
Order
Order
"Commandment" is an official order usually by a government official. "Dearth" means lacking of something. "Compassion" means showing emotion and sympathy for another person. "Insomnia" means sleeplessness or inability to sleep. "Rebellion" means a revolt against a government or some other entity.
Example Question #2006 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
ENIGMA
Zealot
Accreditation
Puzzle
Fatigue
Herbivore
Puzzle
"Enigma" means puzzle or something difficult to understand. "Accreditation" means providing credit or approval for an institution (usually a school). "Zealot" is a person who is passionate for something. "Fatigue" means exhausted and worn-out. "Herbivore" is an organism that eats only plants.
Example Question #2007 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
FELICITY
Inconsistent
Humid
Inactive
Bliss
Frightful
Bliss
"Felicity" means bliss or extreme happiness. "Inconsistent" means not constant or not the same throughout. "Frightful" means horrible or causing fear in people. "Humid" means that there is a lot of moisture in the air. "Inactive" means not moving or not involved with physical activity.
Example Question #2008 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ALACRITY
Forceful
Diligent
Acidity
Willingness
Disagreeable
Willingness
The word “alacrity” is related to the musical words “allegro” and “allegretto,” which indicate quickness or briskness of tempo. Strictly speaking, “alacrity” means pleasant, quick readiness (to do something). Among the provided options, the best answer is “willingness.”
Example Question #2009 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ZENITH
Apex
Cessation
Vulgarity
Reconciliation
Zealot
Apex
"Zenith" means apex or highest point, so "apex" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to highest point: "zealot" means fanatic or enthusiast; "reconciliation" means agreement or harmony reached after an argument or battle; "cessation" means ending or conclusion; and "vulgarity" means crassness or obscenity.
Example Question #2010 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
METTLE
Dauntlessness
Nepotism
Wont
Diffidence
Nomad
Dauntlessness
"Mettle" is a noun that means "courage; fortitude" or "the ability to cope well with difficulties; resilience." While "diffidence" might seem like a promising answer choice, it actually means "modesty or shyness resulting from a lack of self-confidence," so it's an antonym of "mettle," not a synonym. "Dauntlessness," on the other hand, means "fearlessness, intrepidness, boldness; the incapability of being discouraged or intimidated" and is the best answer choice of those listed.
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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
