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 #2571 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

ARCHAIC

Possible Answers:

Inchoate

Ubiquitous

Candid

Antediluvian

Placid

Correct answer:

Antediluvian

Explanation:

Since "archaic" is an adjective that means "very old," we're looking for another adjective that has to do with age, and specifically means "old." Of the possible choices, both "inchoate" and "antediluvian" have to do with age, but whereas "inchoate" means "not fully formed or developed; rudimentary," "antediluvian" means "of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood," or less specifically, "very old." (You can figure out this meaning by looking at the word's component parts: the prefix "ante-" means "before," and "diluvian" suggests something to do with water (think of "dilute," and "deluge," for instance). So, the correct answer is "antediluvian."

Example Question #2572 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

BUCOLIC

Possible Answers:

Pastoral

Counterfeit

Metropolitan

Bothersome

Recondite

Correct answer:

Pastoral

Explanation:

"Bucolic" and "pastoral" both mean agrarian or rural. "Metropolitan" means urban or municipal. "Counterfeit" means fake or simulated. "Recondite" means mysterious or obscure. "Mettlesome" means brave or spirited.

Example Question #632 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VERDANT

Possible Answers:

Lush

Agreeable

Conventional

Verified

Truthful

Correct answer:

Lush

Explanation:

Perhaps you have heard of “salsa verde,” or green salsa. The word “verdant” is related to the word for green in Latin as well as Spanish ("verde") and French ("vert"). It means green with plant growth, usually describing the countryside. In some translations of the Bible, one finds the expression, “in verdant pastures,” describing the location of the shepherd’s work. This means in green, lively pastures. Thus, among the options provided, “lush” is the best, as it means growing to a great degree.

Example Question #261 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

INDIGENOUS

Possible Answers:

Native

Toiling

Trudging

Impoverished

Destitute

Correct answer:

Native

Explanation:

The word “indigenous” means “native to a given location” or at least coming from that place. For instance, one can speak of the “indigenous people” living in Australia as opposed to the British settlers who later arrived there. Do not confuse the word “indigenous” with “indigent,” which means “poor” or “needy.”

Example Question #262 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

DERELICT

Possible Answers:

Gaudy

Somber

Sparse

Deserted

Dauntless

Correct answer:

Deserted

Explanation:

"Derelict" means deserted, vacant or abandoned. "Sparse" means very few or scattered. "Somber" means sad or depressing. "Gaudy" means flashy or tastelessly showy. "Dauntless" means bold or courageous.

Example Question #861 : Synonyms

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

BUCOLIC

Possible Answers:

Mellifluous

Diseased

Pastoral

Flowing

Plague

Correct answer:

Pastoral

Explanation:

The word “bucolic” pertains to things of the countryside, as the word comes from the Greek and Latin for “herdsman.” The word “pastoral” is often used in religious contexts to describe someone who takes care of religious matters, particularly interpersonal ones. The word took on this meaning through its association with the idea of such a person being a “good shepherd;” therefore, the best match for bucolic would be “pastoral.” Note that while bucolic often is used as an adjective, as in “a bucolic landscape,” it can also be used as a noun meaning a type of poem that pertains to country life.

Example Question #862 : Synonyms

Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices.  Choose the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

TEMPERATE:

Possible Answers:

uncontrolled

unassuming

excessive

proficient

moderate

Correct answer:

moderate

Explanation:

An example of when to use the word temperate is to describe climate.  A temperate area would be between the tropics and arctic.  Thus, it has a moderate temperature and weather; it is not excessively hot or cold.

Example Question #863 : Synonyms

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

ACCUSTOMED

Possible Answers:

Heretical

Melancholy

Unorthodox

Orthodox

Habitual

Correct answer:

Habitual

Explanation:

"Accustomed" means established, regular, or "habitual." “Habitual” means done often as a habit. As for the other answer choices, “orthodox” means conforming to traditionally accepted truth, usually political or religious; “unorthodox” means unconventional and non-conformist. “Heretical” is similar to “unorthodox,” but is specifically related to religion; it means practicing religion that is against the religious authorities, but can also be used more generally to mean believing or thinking something that is not believed or thought by most people. "Melancholy" means sad in a contemplative way.

Example Question #864 : Synonyms

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

BLEAK

Possible Answers:

Flagrant

Abundant

Fertile

Perceptive

Desolate

Correct answer:

Desolate

Explanation:

“Bleak” means desolate, bare, lifeless, and depressing. A situation can also be “bleak,” which means hopeless. As for the other answer choices, “fertile" can mean able to produce lots of vegetation and crops; "abundant" means found in large numbers; “perceptive” means insightful, sensitive, and noticing many things; and "flagrant" means overt and brazen and is often used to describe instances in which someone purposely breaks rules.

Example Question #862 : Synonyms

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

AGRARIAN

Possible Answers:

Trite

Natural

Angry

Rustic

Growing

Correct answer:

Rustic

Explanation:

"Agrarian" is an adjective that means pertaining to the countryside or farmers. The best choice is "rustic" because it shares the meaning of pertaining to the countryside. Considering the other choices, "angry" is not appropriate because it means expressing anger, "trite" means meaningless due to overuse"Growing" and "natural" may each seem like good answer choices because they have connotations related to farms and farming, but "rustic" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "agrarian," so it is the correct answer.

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