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 #48 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

LACKADAISICAL

Possible Answers:

Refulgent

Halcyon

Apathetic

Inchoate

Untoward

Correct answer:

Apathetic

Explanation:

"Lackadaisical" and "apathetic" both mean careless or indifferent. "Untoward" means troublesome or improper. "Refulgent" means glowing or brilliant. "Halcyon" means calm or peaceful. "Inchoate" means undeveloped or beginning

Example Question #49 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ALOOF

Possible Answers:

Diaphanous

Glib

Haughty

Sympathetic

Feckless

Correct answer:

Haughty

Explanation:

"Aloof" and "haughty" both mean remote or detached. "Sympathetic" means concerned or caring. "Feckless" means careless or without purpose. "Glib" means slick or smooth-talking. "Diaphanous" means fine or see-through

Example Question #50 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ARDENT

Possible Answers:

Disagreeable

Dolorous

Pugnacious

Intense

Forgetful

Correct answer:

Intense

Explanation:

The word “ardent” is related to “ardor,” which means passion or zeal. Both of these terms come from that Latin verb meaning to be on fire. In a sense, you can think of them as expressing “being on fire” emotionally for some project, goal, or aim. When someone is called, for example, “an ardent supporter,” he or she is a strong and zealous supporter of that cause. Likewise, when one “ardently discusses a topic,” he or she does so with great enthusiasm and vigor.

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

OVERWROUGHT

Possible Answers:

Jittery

Annoying

Overactive

Inconsistent

Anxious

Correct answer:

Anxious

Explanation:

When someone is “overwrought,” that person is excited or anxious. While that might cause someone to be jittery or even annoying, the best option among those given is the mere direct definition, “anxious.” The word would be used in a sentence like, “Having arrived at the long-feared day, Jonathan was so overwrought that he could not even sleep because of his agitated nerves.”

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

TEMPESTUOUS

Possible Answers:

Frenzied

Overwhelmed

Harrying

Blizzard

Hurricane

Correct answer:

Frenzied

Explanation:

The word “tempestuous” is related to the word “tempest,” which is a strong wind storm. When applied to a human person, it implies that the person has a very strong emotional disposition. Someone could say, “John had an extremely tempestuous attitude, often screaming at his subordinates and always arguing with someone.”

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

VACANT

Possible Answers:

Pitiful

Alone

Solitary

Emotionless

Forgotten

Correct answer:

Emotionless

Explanation:

The word “vacant” is related to the word “vacuum,” meaning “empty space.” Sometimes, you will hear an expression like “a vacant lot” to describe a piece of land that has nothing built on it (and perhaps is abandoned and unused). The word can also be applied to the expression that a person has. When someone shows a “vacant expression,” he or she has a “blank stare.” Often this implies that there is no emotion expressed at all.

Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

JUBILANT

Possible Answers:

Gleeful

Surprised

Bewildered

Morose

Fuming

Correct answer:

Gleeful

Explanation:

"Jubilant" is an adjective defined as "feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph." While all of the answer choices describe moods or emotions, only "gleeful," an adjective that means "exuberantly or triumphantly joyful," is a synonym of "jubilant," so "gleeful" is the correct answer.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

MOROSE

Possible Answers:

Macabre

Timid

Sulky

Lofty

Tepid

Correct answer:

Sulky

Explanation:

“Morose” means in a bad mood and miserable, so "sulky" is the correct answer. “Lofty” means high-up or proud; “timid” means shy and quiet; “tepid” means lukewarm when describing temperature and unenthusiastic when describing responses; and "macabre" means morbid and grotesque.

Example Question #2361 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

QUEASY

Possible Answers:

grotesque

mundane

reserved

weary

uneasy

Correct answer:

uneasy

Explanation:

"Queasy" means uneasy or uncomfortable. "Grotesque" means ugly or misshapen. "Reserved" means quietly unsociable or restrained. "Mundane" means boring or day-to-day. "Weary" means tired or exhausted

Example Question #431 : Identifying Synonyms

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

JOVIAL

Possible Answers:

Deft

Cheerful

Uncomfortable

Nuanced

Hollow

Correct answer:

Cheerful

Explanation:

“Jovial” means jolly, friendly and "cheerful." As for the other answer choices, “uncomfortable” means slightly painful or just removing or lacking all comfort; “hollow” means containing empty space on the inside; "nuanced" means full of subtle details; and “deft” means skillful.

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