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 #2081 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

FLUCTUATE

Possible Answers:

Form

Respond

Alter

Ventilate

Return

Correct answer:

Alter

Explanation:

The word "fluctuate" comes from Latin roots meaning wave or to make a wave-like motion. Thus, when something fluctuates, it continually changes. Thus, a fluctuating position is one that moves from place to place, and someone's weight fluctuates when it increases and decreases variously. The word broadly means, thus, to change. The only option that directly corresponds to this meaning is "alter." To "alter" something is to make it become different.

Example Question #2082 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

JEOPARDY

Possible Answers:

Peril

Thriving

Exciting

Affluent

Amazing

Correct answer:

Peril

Explanation:

When something is "in jeopardy," it is at risk. Therefore, the best synonym for "jeopardy" is "peril." Something is also at risk when it is "in peril" or "imperiled." The two options "exciting" and "amazing" might be tempting. Risky things are often exciting or amazing; however "excitement" is not a direct synonym for "jeopardy" itself.

Example Question #2083 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

INDICATION

Possible Answers:

Diagnosis

Evidence

Argument

Conclusion

Prognosis

Correct answer:

Evidence

Explanation:

An indication is a sign of something else. Thus, someone's fever can be an indication of illness. The only option that is synonymous in this manner is "evidence." For instance, it is basically the same thing to say, "The fever is an indication of illness," as it is to say, "The fever is evidence of illness."

Example Question #2084 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

LENIENCY

Possible Answers:

Voracity

Clemency

Laziness

Redundancy

Instability

Correct answer:

Clemency

Explanation:

When someone is lenient, he or she is not overly harsh in some regard. For example, a lenient grader is someone who gives grades that are not overly critical. Also, someone can be lenient with regard to a punishment, meaning that he or she does not give out very harsh punishments. For this reason, a good synonym for "leniency" is "mercy." The word "clemency" means either "mercy" or "leniency."

Example Question #2085 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

RETALIATION

Possible Answers:

Restitution

Replication

Reconsideration

Retribution

Reparation

Correct answer:

Retribution

Explanation:

When someone "retaliates," he or she responds to a damaging event by creating an equal amount of damage to the person or entity that harmed him or her. Now, it is important to note that retaliation thus deals with doing equal damage. This fact eliminates "reparation" and "restitution" as options. These deal with making a payment to the person whom you have harmed. This is quite different from retaliating. (Indeed, the one who makes reparation or restitution is the very person who caused the harm. The retaliating person is the person who was harmed.) "Retribution" is a kind of punishment that is enacted against a person for the harm that he or she did. Generally, it is implied to be a punishment equal to the crime in question. Thus, among the options provided here at least, this is the best.

Example Question #151 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

EXPOSITION

Possible Answers:

Speech

Presentation

Explication

Syllogism

Expression

Correct answer:

Explication

Explanation:

An "exposition" is a complete explanation of some topic. For example, we could say, "The Summa Logicae of William of Ockham was an excellent exposition of all the topics discussed in the logic of his day." Now, do not be tricked by the options presented here. Some, such as "speech" and "presentation" try to trick you into picking certain particular media that are used for giving expositions. Granted, "presentation" can also merely indicate the general act of presenting something; however, insofar as this does not indicate a great depth of explanation, it is not quite the same as "exposition." Thus, the best option is "explication," which is an in depth treatment of a topic.

Example Question #2086 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

INVENTORY

Possible Answers:

Warehouse

Shop

Magazine

Design

Catalog

Correct answer:

Catalog

Explanation:

An "inventory" is a list of things in a place or a supply of goods stored in a place.

In this case "catalog," meaning a systemized list, closely matches the first definition. A "magazine" is a publication and related to an alternate definition of catalog, a "shop" is a store where one purchases things rather than a store of items, a "warehouse" is a place where inventory might be stored, and a "design" is a systemized plan.

Example Question #2087 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

REVERIE

Possible Answers:

Focus

Lunch

Celebration

Daydream

Meal

Correct answer:

Daydream

Explanation:

"Reverie" is a noun meaning a meandering train of thought or a state of being lost in pleasant thoughts. A "daydream" is a chain of distractingly pleasant thoughts. The word "focus" is an antonym of "reverie," "meal" and "lunch" are both times when a person eats, and a "celebration" is a large party.

Example Question #2088 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

HARBINGER

Possible Answers:

portent

affirmation

hybrid

delusion

jargon

Correct answer:

portent

Explanation:

A "harbinger" is a portent, omen, or indication of something. An "affirmation" is a declaration of truth. A "delusion" is a misconception or misbelief. A "hybrid" is a mixture or combination of something. "Jargon" is a specialized language or dialect.

Example Question #2089 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

DISARRAY

Possible Answers:

Order

Harshness

Fairness

Chaos

Boor

Correct answer:

Chaos

Explanation:

"Disarray" means chaos, not in order. When you here the phrase "in disarray" that means in a chaotic state, out of control. To provide further help, a "boor" is a rude, insensitive person.

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