All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
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
Inchoate
Ubiquitous
Candid
Antediluvian
Placid
Antediluvian
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
Pastoral
Counterfeit
Metropolitan
Bothersome
Recondite
Pastoral
"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
Lush
Agreeable
Conventional
Verified
Truthful
Lush
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
Native
Toiling
Trudging
Impoverished
Destitute
Native
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
Gaudy
Somber
Sparse
Deserted
Dauntless
Deserted
"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
Mellifluous
Diseased
Pastoral
Flowing
Plague
Pastoral
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:
uncontrolled
unassuming
excessive
proficient
moderate
moderate
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
Heretical
Melancholy
Unorthodox
Orthodox
Habitual
Habitual
"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
Flagrant
Abundant
Fertile
Perceptive
Desolate
Desolate
“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
Trite
Natural
Angry
Rustic
Growing
Rustic
"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.
All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
