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 #486 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RECLUSIVE

Possible Answers:

Resolute

Hermitlike

Reciprocal

Garrulous

Gregarious

Correct answer:

Hermitlike

Explanation:

"Reclusive" and "hermitlike" both mean unsociable. "Gregarious" means friendly and sociable. "Garrulous" means talkative. "Resolute" means determined or strong-willed. "Reciprocal" means exchanged or alternating.

Example Question #487 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INCORRIGIBLE

Possible Answers:

Emboldened

Indelible

Ponderous

Recidivous

Pragmatic

Correct answer:

Recidivous

Explanation:

"Incorrigible" means recidivous or incapable or being corrected. "Emboldened" means encouraged or invigorated. "Indelible" means indestructible or unable to be erased. "Ponderous" means heavy or weighty. "Pragmatic" means sensible, practical, or logical.

Example Question #41 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

MISANTHROPIC

Possible Answers:

Sickly

Reclusive

Childish

Extroverted

Amoral

Correct answer:

Reclusive

Explanation:

A misanthrope is somewhat like a scrooge: someone who is antisocial and avoids human society; therefore "reclusive," which is a word for someone who acts like a bit of a hermit and spends most of his or her time away from others, is the correct answer.

Example Question #711 : Synonyms

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

INTRACTABLE

Possible Answers:

Strenuous

Umanageable

Indefatigable

Magnanimous

Complex

Correct answer:

Umanageable

Explanation:

"Intractable" means difficult or burdensome; therefore, "unmanageable" is the best answer.

Example Question #711 : Synonyms

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

LIBERAL

Possible Answers:

Extended

Expensive

Generous

Immoral

Drinking

Correct answer:

Generous

Explanation:

The word “liberal” has become very charged because of its political connotations. However, the original meaning can be discerned from the general sense that you likely have concerning its political meaning. The word “liberal” comes from the Latin for “free.” When someone gives things liberally, he or she gives them freely (as though they cost nothing). For this reason, the word “liberal” can mean “open-minded” (i.e. free-minded) as well as “generous” and a number of related meanings. Among the options provided for this question, the word “generous” most closely answers to the meaning of “liberal.”

Example Question #2421 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

MAGNANIMOUS

Possible Answers:

Free

Unforgiving

Beneficent

Particular

Stingy

Correct answer:

Beneficent

Explanation:

"Magnanimous" is an adjective that means "very generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful than oneself." So, neither "stingy" nor "unforgiving" can be the correct answer because each of those words is an antonym of "demure." "Beneficent," an adjective that means "of a person: generous or doing good" or "resulting in good," is the answer choice closest in meaning to "magnanimous," so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #713 : Synonyms

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

WANTON

Possible Answers:

Dissolute

Homely

Civilian

Dormant

Reverent

Correct answer:

Dissolute

Explanation:

Because "wanton" means immoral or sexually promiscuous, the best answer choice is "dissolute," which means lax in morals or licentious.

Example Question #714 : Synonyms

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

HEADSTRONG

Possible Answers:

Yielding

Terrible

Portentous

Meek

Stubborn

Correct answer:

Stubborn

Explanation:

"Headstrong" is an adjective that means "self-willed and obstinate," or "not willing to do what other people want : very stubborn." So, neither "yielding" nor "meek" can be the correct answer because "yielding" and "meek" are both antonyms of "headstrong." "Stubborn" is the closest synonym to "headstrong" amongst the listed answers, so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #491 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HAUGHTY

Possible Answers:

Wealthy

Prosperous

Affluent

Overstated

Conceited

Correct answer:

Conceited

Explanation:

While one might think that “haughty” is related to someone being wealthy, what it generally means is that someone has a “high opinion” of himself or herself. Such a person would judge others as being “beneath” him or her. An adequate description of such a “haughty person” would be “conceited,” which means “being very proud, judging one’s abilities to be great.”

Example Question #492 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LETHARGIC

Possible Answers:

Incapable

Worthless

Idiotic

Vacuous

Inert

Correct answer:

Inert

Explanation:

A person who is “lethargic” lacks energy and does not care much for undertaking any activities. Among the options provided, “inert” is closest to this. In chemistry, you may have spoken of “inert” compounds or elements—those that do not undergo chemical reactions. “Inert” is derived from the combination of “in-,” here used as meaning “not” (as in “indivisible”), and the word for “skill” or “art” in Latin. To be “inert” is therefore to lack skills, arts, or (at least) activities.

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