All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
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
Judicious
Sanctified
Evidence
Enlightened
Religious
Evidence
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
Opinion
Agitation
Annoyance
Passion
Anger
Passion
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
Juxtaposition
Rambling
Contradiction
Citation
Allusion
Contradiction
"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
Archetype
Collateral
Emotion
Mixture
Paradox
Archetype
"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
Fortune
Misery
Haughtiness
Guile
Shyness
Shyness
“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
Adolescence
Depression
Solution
Anxiety
Crisis
Anxiety
“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
Rivalry
Hatred
Depravity
Friendship
Peace
Friendship
“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
Thunder
Torrent
Mountain
Peak
Valley
Peak
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
Falsehood
Quilt
Misconception
Question
Candor
Falsehood
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
Flabbiness
Bulkiness
Foolishness
Decadence
Thoroughness
Foolishness
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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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
