All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2531 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRETERNATURAL
Germane
Voluminous
Stupefying
Anomalous
Munificent
Anomalous
"Preternatural" and "anomalous" both mean unusual or abnormal. "Germane" means appropriate or applicable. "Munificent" means giving or generous. "Stupefying" means stunning or amazing. "Voluminous" means ample or vast.
Example Question #2532 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
POTENT
Stewing
Untainted
Forceful
Poisonous
Drinkable
Forceful
The “pot-” portion of this word is derived from the Latin for able and also power. It is found in many English words like “impotent,” “potency,” “omnipotence,” and “potential.” Someone might say, “The speech was extremely potent in stirring the emotions of the crowd; soon, everyone was marching according to the instructions of the speaker.” Among the options provided, “forceful” best conveys this sense of “power.”
Example Question #2533 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FUTILE
Bothersome
Annoying
Feeble
Useful
Ineffectual
Ineffectual
When something is futile, it accomplishes nothing. For example, one could say, “No matter how long Thomas spent in the gym, it felt futile, for he was always unable to lift his goal amount of weights.” When something is “ineffectual,” it is “unable to have an effect.” The word is thus somewhat like “ineffective.”
Example Question #2534 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INEXORABLE
Limited
Preventable
Unstoppable
Imaginative
Persuadable
Unstoppable
"Inexorable" is an adjective that means "impossible to stop or prevent," or when describing a person, "impossible to persuade by request or entreaty." So, neither "preventable" nor "persuadable" can be the correct answer because each of those words is an antonym of "inexorable," not a synonym. The correct answer is "unstoppable," an adjective that like "inexorable" means "impossible to stop or prevent."
Example Question #2535 : 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.
HUGE
miniscule
lucid
gargantuan
hedonist
modicum
gargantuan
Both "miniscule" and "modicum" mean a small amount so they are not correct. "Lucid" means clear, and a "hedonist" is someone who lives for pleasure. "Gargantuan" is a synonym for huge.
Example Question #2536 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ECONOMICAL
Profiteering
Fiduciary
Inexpensive
Fiscal
Capitalize
Inexpensive
The word “economical” is not the same as “economic,” which can mean “pertaining to finances or wealth.” Instead, it can mean “someone who is thrifty or careful with money” as well as “something that is inexpensive but useful” such as “an economical house.”
Example Question #2537 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SHEER
Break
Lacerate
Trim
Absolute
Woolen
Absolute
The word “sheer” is not the same as “shear.” The latter means “to cut” or “to shave,” often speaking of the cutting of wool from sheep. The word “sheer” means instead “complete” or “sudden.” The latter would be used to describe something like a cliff that is completely vertical—“a sheer drop.” Likewise, it can mean “complete,” “utter,” “or “absolutely” when used in an expression like, “The plan was not merely questionable; it was sheer madness to do something so insane.”
Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AFFLUENT
Impoverished
Winsome
Wealthy
Despicable
Comely
Wealthy
“Affluent” means very wealthy. It is the opposite of “impoverished,” which means very poor. “Despicable” means evil and wicked; “comely” means very cute and beautiful; and “winsome” means charming and appealing.
Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
COLLOQUIAL
Conversational
Plausible
Irrational
Illicit
Irredeemable
Conversational
“Colloquial” means informal or conversational and refers to language or writing, so "conversational" is the best answer choice. As for the other answer choices, “irredeemable” means unable to be redeemed or so bad that it cannot be forgiven; “plausible” means believable as being potentially true or succeeding; “irrational” means not rational, not logical, and thinking with emotions; and “illicit” means against the rules or illegal.
Example Question #53 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CAUSTIC
Obligatory
Derisive
Euphoric
Obscure
Plump
Derisive
"Caustic" means corrosive when describing substances or scathing when describing communication and speech. So, "derisive," which means disdainful and scathing, is the correct answer. “Plump” means fat, chubby, and round; “euphoric” means in a state of intense happiness; “obscure” means esoteric or unclear; and “obligatory” means mandatory.
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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
