All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2553 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FAMISHED
Tedious
Neglected
Ravenous
Dying
Hungry
Ravenous
The word "famished" describes someone who is extremely hungry. For this reason, the option "ravenous" is a much better option than "hungry," for "ravenous" means exactly what you need for this question—very hungry. Perhaps you have heard of someone being said to have a "ravenous appetite". This means that he or she has a very large appetite.
Example Question #2551 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HINDER
Impede
Trace
Placate
Detract
Expose
Impede
You likely know the word "hinder" as meaning to make (something) difficult. Thus, if stones were to roll across a major mountain road, such a situation would hinder the flow of traffic. The word "impede" means to delay by adding to the difficulty of a situation. It comes from the same Latin roots as the word "foot," actually. (Think of related words like "pedal" and "pedestrian".) It literally means to place on the foot—im + pede. If you placed something on your foot, it certainly would impede your travel!
Example Question #2555 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DESTITUTE
Conquered
Excluded
Depressed
Disheartened
Impoverished
Impoverished
When someone is in a state of "destitution," he or she is in a state of absolute poverty, so much so that he or she cannot provide for day-to-day living. Thus, the adjective "destitute" describes such a person. While none of the options describe extreme poverty, "impoverished" is the only one that indicates the state of lacking money. Hence, this is the best option among those provided.
Example Question #2556 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MUNIFICENT
Magnanimous
Obtuse
Political
Mordant
Pervasive
Magnanimous
"Munificent" is an adjective meaning overly generous or philanthropic. "Magnanimous" is a close synonym meaning especially kind or generous. "Obtuse" means stubborn or foolish, "mordant" means biting, or critical and is often associated with dry humor, "political" means having to do with government, and "pervasive" means common or deeply ingrained.
Example Question #2557 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PARCHED
Thirsty
Tired
Hungry
Energetic
Maudlin
Thirsty
"Parched," when used to describe a person means very thirsty. "Parched," when used to describe the land means dried up, lacking water. To provide further help, "maudlin" means overly sentimental.
Example Question #2552 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
UTTERLY
Seldom
Completely
Faithfully
Formerly
Gingerly
Completely
“Utterly” means completely and is often heard in the redundant phrase “completely and utterly.” As for the other answer choices, “faithfully” means loyally; "gingerly" means with delicacy and care; "seldom" means infrequently; and "formerly" means previously.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PASSÉ
Measurable
Continual
Outdated
Exuberant
Modern
Outdated
"Passé" is an adjective that means "no longer fashionable; out of date," so we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "no longer fashionable" or "out of date." "Modern," then cannot be the correct answer because "modern" is an antonym of "passé," not a synonym. "Outdated," however, is an adjective that means "out of date; obsolete," and because it is the answer choir that is closest in meaning to "passé," "outdated" is the correct answer.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SPONTANEOUS
Premeditated
Importune
Deliberate
Impromptu
Contentious
Impromptu
"Spontaneous" and "impromptu" both mean impulsive or unplanned. "Deliberate" means intentional or calculated. "Premeditated" means planned or intended. "Contentious" means quarrelsome or combative. "Importune" means to demand or insist.
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
YOUNG
Idyllic
Ill
Belligerent
Juvenile
Excessive
Juvenile
The word "young" is an adjective that means being in the early stages of growth or immature. The best choice here is "juvenile" since it shares the same definition as "young"—immature. Considering the other choices, "ill" is an adjective that means physically sick, "excessive" means being in too large of a quantity or more than is needed, "idyllic" means ideally charming or romantic, and "belligerent" means eager to fight.
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Time, Age, Location, And Movement
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TRANSITORY
Nomadic
Expedited
Explosive
Foreign
Impermanent
Impermanent
“Transitory” means impermanent or not lasting, so "impermanent" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “nomadic” means living a lifestyle in which one wanders and does not live in one place; "expedited" means hastened; "foreign" means originating in a country different from one's own; and “explosive” means volatile or likely to explode like a bomb.
All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
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