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 #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

USURP

Possible Answers:

abolish

truncate

seize

donate

settle

Correct answer:

seize

Explanation:

"Usurp" means to take without permission. "Truncate" is incorrect because it means to reduce, "donate" means to give away, and abolish means to get rid of. "Seize" is the only possible answer choice, which means to take.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

OBVIATE

Possible Answers:

pulverize

quip

preclude

scrutinize

ruffle

Correct answer:

preclude

Explanation:

"Obviate" and "preclude" both mean to make unnecessary. "Pulverize" means to smash or destroy. "Quip" means to make a witty remark or retort. "Ruffle" means to upset or irritate. "Scrutinize" means to examine closely

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

JEOPARDIZE

Possible Answers:

imperil

incite

garner

jettison

warp

Correct answer:

imperil

Explanation:

"Jeopardize" and "imperil" both mean to put at risk or in danger. "Jettison" means to eject or expel. "Garner" means to collect or accumulate. "Incite" means provoke or inspire to action. "Warp" means to distort or cause to be misshapen

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

ESCHEW

Possible Answers:

ignore

overlook

spurn

forgo

disdain

Correct answer:

forgo

Explanation:

The word “eschew” is a rather strange English word meaning to avoid the use of (something) or to forgo the use of. For instance, it would be used in a sentence like, “Since Harold had allergic reactions to all kinds of strawberries, he chose to eschew them entirely, rather than risk any contact with the potentially deadly fruits.”

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

EASE

Possible Answers:

intuition

cater

angst

mitigate

juxtapose

Correct answer:

mitigate

Explanation:

The crucial thing to realize when approaching this problem is that "ease" can function either as a noun or as a verb. We have both nouns and verbs listed in the possible answer choices, so it's important to consider each of the word's different meanings. As a noun, "ease" means a lack of difficulty; neither "angst" nor "intuition" match that meaning. As a verb, "ease" means lessen the severity of something bad. As "mitigate" means cause to become less severe, it is the best answer choice.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

MITIGATE

Possible Answers:

Assuage

Rouse

Aggravate

Inure

Anodize

Correct answer:

Assuage

Explanation:

"Mitigate" and "assuage" both mean to diminish or lighten. "Aggravate" means to annoy or irritate. "Rouse" means to wake or stimulate. "Anodize" means to gild or encrust. "Inure" means to accustom or acclimate

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

USURP

Possible Answers:

Repine

Stipulate

Supplant

Recant

Relinquish

Correct answer:

Supplant

Explanation:

"Usurp" and "supplant" both mean to take over. "Recant" means to take back something said. "Relinquish" means to give up or let go. "Repine" means to complain or fret. "Stipulate" means to decide on conditions.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

SUSTAIN

Possible Answers:

Kindle

Crumble

Bumble

Break

Suffer

Correct answer:

Suffer

Explanation:

"Sustain" is a verb with a variety of meanings, including "strengthen or support physically or mentally," "cause to continue or be prolonged for an extended period or without interruption," "undergo or suffer something unpleasant, especially an injury," or "uphold, affirm, or confirm the justice or validity of." Neither "crumble" nor "break" can be the correct answer because each word is an antonym of the second meaning of "sustain," "cause to continue or be prolonged for an extended period or without interruption." "Suffer," however, is synonymous with the third meaning of "sustain," "undergo or suffer something unpleasant, especially an injury." Because "suffer" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "sustain," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #2271 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

PROPITIATE

Possible Answers:

Forge

Unearth

Appease

Enclose

Approach

Correct answer:

Appease

Explanation:

The word “propitiate” comes from the same Latin root from which we get the word “propitious,” meaning “favorable,” as in, “He quit his job in the most propitious circumstances, for the market for his skills was greatly in demand at very high rates of pay.” To “propitiate” is to do an action for the gods, as though one were sacrificing to please or calm them—in the hopes of attaining favorable circumstances. Therefore, the word is synonymous with “appease.”

Example Question #2272 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

ERR

Possible Answers:

Correct

Quit

Breathe

Tinker

Blunder

Correct answer:

Blunder

Explanation:

"Err" is a verb that means to make a mistake. The choice that makes the most sense here is "blunder," since when used as a verb, it shares a similar meaning - to make a mistake. Considering the other choices, "breathe" means to inhale and exhale air, "correct" means  to fix a mistake, and "tinker" means to work to fix something without having any skill.

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