All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2411 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.
SUPERCILIOUS
radical
taciturn
arrogant
unnecessary
arrogant
Supercilious means arrogant or haughty.
Example Question #2412 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
EXTROVERTED
Reclusive
Outgoing
Merciful
Fickle
Harsh
Outgoing
"Extroverted" means sociable or outgoing, so "outgoing" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "extroverted": "reclusive" is an antonym of "outgoing" and means solitary and avoiding other people; "fickle" means constantly changing; "harsh" means severe or cruel; and "merciful" means sympatheitc or forgiving.
Example Question #2413 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
CONVIVIAL
Exotic
Generous
Ferocious
Lively
Insolent
Lively
"Convivial" means lively or enjoyable and often is used to describe an environment or event. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "convivial": "exotic" means foreign or nonnative; "ferocious" means fierce or savage; "generous" means very willing to give or donate to other people; and "insolent" means rude and arrogant.
Example Question #2414 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
LACONIC
Portly
Concise
Representative
Egalitarian
Stern
Concise
The people of ancient Sparta (a region also called Lakonia) were known for sparing their words. Today the word "laconic," meaning concise or succinct communication, keeps the memory of the ancient Spartan concision alive in the English language.
Example Question #2415 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
STOIC
boring
tedious
placed
resigned
exhausted
resigned
The word “stoic” is taken from a school of Greek and Roman philosophy that emphasized the need of being detached from emotions and unmoved by the fortunes of life. When someone is said to be “stoic” or “stoical,” he or she is being described as “accepting things as they come in a calm manner.” When someone is “resigned,” he or she accepts something that is undesirable precisely because he or she cannot alter the situation.
Example Question #2416 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TRACTABLE
Vacuous
Manageable
Obstinate
Eclectic
Loquacious
Manageable
"Tractable" and "manageable" both mean controllable or easily grasped. "Obstinate" means stubborn or determined. "Eclectic" means diverse or varied. "Loquacious" means talkative. "Vacuous" means empty or unintelligent.
Example Question #2417 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VERBOSE
Pejorative
Succinct
Loquacious
Venturesome
Venerable
Loquacious
"Verbose" and "loquacious" both mean wordy or long-winded. "Succinct" means brief or to the point. "Venturesome" means courageous or adventurous. "Venerable" means respected or esteemed. "Pejorative" means negative or belittling.
Example Question #2418 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
RELIABLE
Dependable
Gregarious
Friendly
Plodding
Repeatable
Dependable
This question is meant to make you over-think your answer. The word “reliable” is very common, but do not be fooled by the options given to you. We often think of someone who is reliable as being friendly, willing, and many other positive descriptions. While this might be the case at times, the strictest sense of “reliable” (i.e. the sense that most directly applies to our question here) is "dependable” or trustworthy. The former is the answer to this question in particular. We speak of “reliable” people and things when we wish to express that we can “count on them,” that is, when we know that they will function when the necessary time arrives.
Example Question #2419 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LACONIC
Trite
Sullen
Tempered
Verbose
Terse
Terse
The word “laconic” is very rare, but it means “speaking in a brief manner.” It is derived from the Greek region Lacedaemonia, in which were located the Spartans. As a warrior people, they were known for being rather “short” in their speech—practical people, cut and dry. The word “laconic” is derived from this. The only option that expresses such brevity is “terse.”
Example Question #2420 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CONNIVING
Jaundiced
Surly
Colluding
Emaciated
Superlative
Colluding
"Conniving" and "colluding" both mean to plot or scheme. "Jaundiced" means tainted or prejudiced. "Superlative" means excellent or first-class. "Emaciated" means undernourished or thin. "Surly" means gruff or boorish.
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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
