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 #2091 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

QUANDARY

Possible Answers:

Peer

Dilemma

Luminary

Equilibrium

Suffrage

Correct answer:

Dilemma

Explanation:

A "quandary" is a difficult situation, a problem. As such the best possible answer choice is "dilemma." To provide further help, a "peer" is an equal, someone in your social group; "suffrage" is the right to vote; "equilibrium" is a state of balance; a "luminary" is a notable person in his or her field

Example Question #2092 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

ENNUI

Possible Answers:

Sorrow

Hope

Friendship

Boredom

Irritation

Correct answer:

Boredom

Explanation:

"Ennui" is a state of extreme or long-lasting boredoma feeling of dissatisfaction arising from a complete lack of excitement or entertainment

Example Question #2093 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

AVARICE

Possible Answers:

Fortune

Greed

Love

Pride

Envy

Correct answer:

Greed

Explanation:

"Avarice" means greed. Someone who is "avaricious" is greedy. "Fortune" is related to "avarice," they are not synonyms, not all avaricious people possess a fortune, and not all fortunate people are avaricious (note also that fortune refers to wealth and luck, not just wealth). "Love" is an emotion unrelated to "avarice." "Envy" is closer in meaning to jealousy than it is to "avarice."

Example Question #2094 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

LASSITUDE

Possible Answers:

Prophecy

Venal

Lethargy

Pantheon

Sinecure

Correct answer:

Lethargy

Explanation:

"Lassitude" is a state of physical or mental exhaustion, lethargy. To provide further help, a "prophecy" is a prediction; a "pantheon" is a group of Gods within a religion; a "sinecure" is an easy job; "venal" means corrupt

Example Question #2095 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

EXPLETIVE

Possible Answers:

Profanity

Calamity

Enmity

Infamy

Amnesty

Correct answer:

Profanity

Explanation:

An "expletive" is a swear word, a curse word. So the closest correct answer is "profanity." To provide further help, "infamy" is the quality of being famous for the wrong reasons; a "calamity" is a disaster, a farce; "enmity" means hostility; an "amnesty" is a pardon for an offense

Example Question #2096 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

TREPIDATION

Possible Answers:

Remorse

Envy

Dread

Honesty

Suspicion

Correct answer:

Dread

Explanation:

"Trepidation" means dread, a feeling of great unease and anxiety that something bad will happen. "Remorse" is a similarly negative feeling, but it is reserved for sadness about events that have already transpired.

Example Question #2097 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

AUSTERITY

Possible Answers:

Travesty

Excellency

Luminary

Severity

Trajectory

Correct answer:

Severity

Explanation:

"Austerity" means severity or sternness. To provide further help, a "trajectory" is the expected path of something that is moving; a "travesty" is a mockery, an injustice; "luminary" means notable, important in a certain area

Example Question #2098 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

VOGUE

Possible Answers:

Recreation

Culture

Fashion

Politics

Economics

Correct answer:

Fashion

Explanation:

"Vogue," when used as a noun, means fashion, style, rage, trend. It can also be used as an adjective in which case it's meaning is very similar, it means fashionable or cool. "Culture" refers to any kind of culture (arts, fashion, shared experiences, media), fashionable or otherwise.

Example Question #2099 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

PARSIMONY

Possible Answers:

Selflessness

Cheapness

Selfishness

Generosity

Thoughtfulness

Correct answer:

Cheapness

Explanation:

"Parsimony" means not inclined towards spending money, cheapness. "Generosity" is a rough antonym to parsimony. It is almost impossible to be generous, free with one's goods or money; willing to give to others, if you are "parsimonious." Selfishness" is similar in spirit to "parsimony," but parsimony has a specific meaning related to money, which is not true of "selfishness."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

HONOR

Possible Answers:

revere

accept

repudiate

portend

solace

Correct answer:

revere

Explanation:

Repudiate means to reject, solace is peace, and portend means to predict. The word that is a synonym of honor is revere. 

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