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 #2071 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

TESTAMENT

Possible Answers:

Judicious

Sanctified

Evidence

Enlightened

Religious

Correct answer:

Evidence

Explanation:

The word “testament” comes from the Latin for “a will.” Often, we still speak of someone’s “last will and testament,” as though we wish to say that this document gives the final evidence of that person’s wishes. Also, the word is often used with the preposition “to” as in, “John’s devoted assistance to Michael during the latter’s illness was a testament to his deep regard for his sick friend.”

Example Question #2072 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

ZEAL

Possible Answers:

Opinion

Agitation

Annoyance

Passion

Anger

Correct answer:

Passion

Explanation:

When someone is “zealous,” he or she has great energy in pursuing a cause. It is for this reason that such a person is often called a “zealot,” or one who untiringly pursues something, often in a very pushy and judgmental manner, though that need not always be the case. The word originally comes from a similar Greek word, basically meaning zeal; however, as the word came into Latin, it took on the meaning “jealous” as well. When someone “jealously guards” something, it is not merely a matter of trying to keep that thing exclusively to himself or herself, though that is partially implied. It also is a matter of guarding it with great devotion and zeal.

Example Question #2073 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

OXYMORON

Possible Answers:

Juxtaposition

Rambling

Contradiction

Citation

Allusion

Correct answer:

Contradiction

Explanation:

"Oxymoron" is a noun defined as "a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction." While both "contradiction" and "juxtaposition" involve combinations of things, "juxtaposition" means "the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect." So, a juxtaposition of things creates a contrasting, but not necessarily contradictory, effect. The best answer is "contradiction," because an "oxymoron" is specifically defined as being made up of "apparently contradictory terms."

Example Question #2074 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

PARADIGM

Possible Answers:

Archetype

Collateral

Emotion

Mixture

Paradox

Correct answer:

Archetype

Explanation:

"Paradigm" is a noun that can "a typical example or pattern of something; a model" or "a worldview underlying the theories and methodology of a particular scientific subject." So, we need to pick out a noun that means something like "a typical example of something" or "a worldview." While "paradox" and "paradigm" both begin with the root "para," "paradox" is a noun that can mean "a statement or proposition that, despite sound (or apparently sound) reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically unacceptable, or self-contradictory" or "a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true." So, because "paradox" does not mean the same thing as "paradigm," it cannot be the correct answer. "Archetype," however, is a noun that means "a very typical example of a certain person or thing," and because "archetype" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "paradigm," "archetype" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2075 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

DIFFIDENCE

Possible Answers:

Fortune

Misery

Haughtiness

Guile

Shyness

Correct answer:

Shyness

Explanation:

“Diffidence” is an opposite of "confidence" and means "shyness." As for the other answer choices, “misery” is great sadness; “haughtiness” is arrogance; “guile” is sly and cunning intelligence; and "fortune" is luck, whereas a "fortune" is a great sum of money belonging to one person or family.

Example Question #2076 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

ANGST

Possible Answers:

Adolescence

Depression

Solution

Anxiety

Crisis

Correct answer:

Anxiety

Explanation:

“Angst” is a feeling of anxiety and discomfort. It is often associated with teenagers, or in other words, those going through "adolescence." As for the other answer choices, “crisis” means emergency or disaster; a "solution" can mean a solvent in which a solute has been dissolved or the way in which a problem is thought to be able to be solved; and "depression" is strong, persistent sadness or the medical condition from which such emotions can arise.

Example Question #2077 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

AMITY

Possible Answers:

Rivalry

Hatred

Depravity

Friendship

Peace

Correct answer:

Friendship

Explanation:

“Amity” means friendly or loving relationship, so "friendship" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “depravity” means immorality or lewd behavior; and “rivalry” is intense competition with one group or person.

Example Question #2078 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

PINNACLE

Possible Answers:

Thunder

Torrent

Mountain

Peak

Valley

Correct answer:

Peak

Explanation:

The “pinnacle” is the high point of something, usually an achievement, or a "peak." As for the other answer choices, a “valley” is a low area of land between mountains; “torrent” means flood or outpouring

Example Question #2079 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

FABRICATION

Possible Answers:

Falsehood

Quilt

Misconception

Question

Candor

Correct answer:

Falsehood

Explanation:

A “fabrication” is a falsehood or a "lie." As for the other answer choices, “candor” is frank honesty; a “misconception” is something false that is believed or something understood incorrectly; a "quilt" is a bed covering made of squares of fabric sewn together over batting; and a "question" is a query.

Example Question #2080 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

FATUITY

Possible Answers:

Flabbiness

Bulkiness

Foolishness

Decadence

Thoroughness

Correct answer:

Foolishness

Explanation:

The word "fatuous" comes from the Latin word for foolish or stupid. "Fatuity" describes the general state of being "fatuous." That is, it describes "foolishness." Thus, we could say, "The discussion was fatuous on the whole, and Socrates thought most of it to be a waste of time." As for "fatuity", we could say, "The arrogant professor thought almost all normal discussions were matters of fatuity compared to his important research work." Note, "fatuity" should not be interpreted as having something to do with being "fat." This word comes from very different roots.

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