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 #319 : Synonyms

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

REACTION

Possible Answers:

Boiling

Catalyzing

Bonding

Chemical

Backlash

Correct answer:

Backlash

Explanation:

We often use reaction in its weak sense of being a “response.” This is an acceptable (and most appropriate) meaning, but it is not found among your options. In a stronger usage, it can mean “a strong action or set of actions in response, often political.” For instance, one could say, “The new legislation requiring all citizens to pay an additional twenty percent in taxes caused a huge reaction from almost all classes of citizens.” Here, “reaction” takes on the stronger meaning of “backlash.”

Example Question #320 : Synonyms

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

RECOURSE

Possible Answers:

Forgotten

Condemnation

Election

Recall

Choice

Correct answer:

Choice

Explanation:

Likely, you have heard the expression, “the only recourse,” as in, “A presidential pardon was the only recourse that the man had to lift the crime from his record.” The word generally means, “Means of alleviating a situation,” or even more generally, “Choice or option.” Thus, when one says, “He had recourse to the support of his family during his financial difficulties,” this means, “He had the option to go to his family for aid.”

Example Question #2031 : 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.

PANEGYRIC

Possible Answers:

elegy

probity

odyssey

proclivity

rant

Correct answer:

elegy

Explanation:

"Panegyric" and "elegy" both mean praise or warm words. "Rant" means a tirade or yelling. "Probity" means fairness or honesty. "Proclivity" means an inclination or habit. "Odyssey" means a journey or excursion

Example Question #2032 : 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.

MAGNANIMITY

Possible Answers:

cupidity

maxim

avarice

chivalry

myriad

Correct answer:

chivalry

Explanation:

"Magnanimity" and "chivalry" both mean generosity. "Avarice" means extreme greed. "Cupiditiy" also means extreme greed or acquisitiveness. "Maxim" means a saying or aphorism. "Myriad" means a lot of something.

Example Question #2033 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

CREDENCE

Possible Answers:

Investment

Conflagration

Apprehension

Renaissance

Acceptance

Correct answer:

Acceptance

Explanation:

"Credence" means acceptance or trust, so "acceptance" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "credence": "conflagration" means a large fire; "renaissance" means a rebirth or renewal; "investment" means something given or lent with the expectation of a return; "apprehension" means anxiety or fear

Example Question #2034 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

DEMOCRACY

Possible Answers:

monarchy

conundrum

anarchy

egalitarian

divinity

Correct answer:

egalitarian

Explanation:

While "anarchy" and "monarchy" are both types of government, they do not convey the same meaning as "democracy." The word closest in meaning is egalitarian.

Example Question #2035 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

NOMENCLATURE

Possible Answers:

Terminology

Termination

Discontinuation

Legality

Jury

Correct answer:

Terminology

Explanation:

The “nomenclature” of a given discipline is the set of terms specific to it. For example, one can speak of the “binomial nomenclature” that is used to describe animal species (e.g. man is homo sapiens). One can thus say that a given “nomenclature” is the set of “terminology” for a discipline. This is the best option among those provided.

Example Question #2036 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

NARRATIVE

Possible Answers:

Relative

Setting

Chronicle

Enumeration

Storyteller

Correct answer:

Chronicle

Explanation:

The word “narrative” comes from the Latin for “to tell” as in “telling a story.” The word “storyteller” is close to this—to “narrator” not “narrative.” Although one might think of the enumeration of things as being a sort of narrative, it is more proper to say that a “chronicle” provides a narrative. A “chronicle” is an account of historical events told as a narrative according to time. The word “chronological,” meaning “related to time” is related to “chronicle.”

Example Question #2037 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

MILIEU

Possible Answers:

Environment

Martial

Ostensive

Wary

Defensive

Correct answer:

Environment

Explanation:

The “milieu” of something is the “middle location.” A given “milieu” is the “midst” in an expression like “in the midst.” Therefore, we call a thing or person’s “milieu” his or her environment. For instance, we may speak of the “political milieu” of a given family that has strong ties to political factions, or we may use “milieu” to indicate the general socioeconomic environment in which someone lives.

Example Question #2038 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

ALTERCATION

Possible Answers:

Modification

Organization

Overseer

Stitching

Quarrel

Correct answer:

Quarrel

Explanation:

The word altercation comes from the Latin for “to dispute or argue.” It means roughly the same in English. For example, one might say, “After the large altercation between the two men, their friends decided not to invite them to the party, fearing that they would argue in public and disturb the peace of the gathering.”

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