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 #2111 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

FATHOM

Possible Answers:

perplex

investigate

dark

obscure

comprehend

Correct answer:

comprehend

Explanation:

The word “fathom” has an interesting derivation. It comes from the measurement of someone’s arms being stretched outward (like “foot” was originally designated to measure the “standard foot size”). It now is used to measure the depth of water and is equal to about six feet per unit. Since it is associated with being “deep,” the verb form of “fathom” means to understand something difficult or deep; therefore, it can mean to comprehend.

Example Question #2112 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

BESEECH

Possible Answers:

Beg

Evacuate

Decline

Describe

Well up

Correct answer:

Beg

Explanation:

"Beseech" is a verb that means implore or entreat. "Decline," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "decline" means refuse in a polite way, making "decline" an antonym of "beseech," not a synonym. "Beg," however, is a verb that means ask in a humble manner, and because "beg" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "beseech," "beg" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2113 : 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. 

STYMIE

Possible Answers:

feint

inveigle

abjure

explicate

thwart

Correct answer:

thwart

Explanation:

"Stymie" and "thwart" both mean to frustrate or hinder. "Explicate" means to clarify or explain. "Abjure" means to give up. "Feint" means a pretense or ruse. "Inveigle" means to entice or manipulate

Example Question #2114 : 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.

SPURN

Possible Answers:

solicit

sanction

amalgamate

repudiate

extirpate

Correct answer:

repudiate

Explanation:

"Spurn" and "repudiate" both mean to turn away or ignore. "Sanction" means an embargo or punishment. "Solicit" means to plead for or to try to sell. "Amalgamate" means to blend or consolidate. "Extirpate" means to destroy or uproot.

Example Question #2115 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

QUIBBLE

Possible Answers:

Concur

Bicker

Importune

Whet

Denigrate

Correct answer:

Bicker

Explanation:

"Quibble" and "bicker" both mean to disagree over a minor point. "Concur" means to agree or approve. "Denigrate" means to belittle or malign. "Importune" means to demand or insist. "Whet" means to make sharp or hone.

Example Question #2116 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

BELABOR

Possible Answers:

Rehash

Suborn

Slake

Atone

Doff

Correct answer:

Rehash

Explanation:

"Belabor" and "rehash" both mean to dwell on. "Slake" means to decrease or assuage. "Doff" means to remove or discard. "Suborn" means to bribe. "Atone" means to compensate or make amends.

Example Question #2117 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

SPURN

Possible Answers:

Rebuff

Accept

Consider

Verify

Manage

Correct answer:

Rebuff

Explanation:

"Spurn" is a verb that means "reject with disdain or contempt." So, "accept" cannot be the correct answer, because it is an antonym of "spurn," not a synonym. "Rebuff," a word that when used as a verb means "reject someone or something in an abrupt or ungracious manner," is the answer choice closest in meaning to "spurn," so "rebuff" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2118 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

PLACATE

Possible Answers:

Enjoy

Position

Satisfy

Provoke

Appease

Correct answer:

Appease

Explanation:

The word “placate” is related distantly to “to please,” but it most properly means “to please someone in order to calm him or her.” Consider its use in an example sentence: “Although the worker had been quite angry about his low pay, the promise of a raise managed to placate his rage.” The word “appease” does not merely mean “to please,” but even more properly means “to soothe the demands of someone.”

Example Question #2119 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

RECOGNIZE

Possible Answers:

Think

Forget

See

Recollect

Formulate

Correct answer:

Recollect

Explanation:

The word "recognize" means to identify as something previously known. The best choice here is "recollect" because is shares a similar meaning—to remember. Considering the other choices, the word "forget" is an antonym of "recognize" that means to be let slip from one's memory, "think" means consider, and "see" means look at and notice.

Example Question #2120 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

MANDATE

Possible Answers:

Manage

Oppress

Consist

Order

Inure

Correct answer:

Order

Explanation:

"Mandate" is a word that when used as a verb means to order or demand. "Order" is the best choice here since it is a part of the definition of "mandate." Considering the other choices, "inure" means to toughen, "manage" means to take care of, and "oppress" means to subdue with restraints.

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