ISEE Lower Level Verbal : ISEE Lower Level (grades 5-6) Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Lower Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

A synonym of "grasp" is __________.

Possible Answers:

grip

exact

loose

reconsider

toss

Correct answer:

grip

Explanation:

"Grasp" is a word that when used as a verb, means either "seize and hold firmly," "get mental hold of; comprehend fully," or "act decisively to the advantage of." As a noun, "grasp" means either "a firm hold or grip," "a person's power or capacity to attain something," "a person's understanding." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that is either a verb meaning "hold firmly," "comprehend fully," or "act decisively," or a noun that means "a firm hold" or "a person's understanding." So, neither "loose" nor "toss" can be the correct answer, because each of those answer choices is an antonym of "hold firmly." "Grip," however, when used as a verb, means "take and keep a firm hold of; grasp tightly," and because "grip" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "grasp," "grip" is the correct answer.

Example Question #91 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

A synonym of "gorge" is __________.

Possible Answers:

pretend

narrow

devour

wait

starve

Correct answer:

devour

Explanation:

All of the answer choices can be used as verbs, so we need to consider "gorge" as a verb. When used as a verb, "gorge" means "eat a large amount greedily; fill oneself with food," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "eat a lot." "Starve," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "starve" means "of a person or animal: suffer severely or die from hunger," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "gorge." "Devour," a verb that means "eat (food or prey) hungrily or quickly," is the answer choice closest in meaning to "gorge," so "devour" is the correct answer.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

A synonym of "pledge" is __________.

Possible Answers:

treason

assurance

power

will

rebuttal

Correct answer:

assurance

Explanation:

"Pledge" is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the answer choices can be used as nouns, we will need to consider "pledge" as a noun. As a noun, "pledge" means "a solemn promise or undertaking," so we will need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "a solemn promise." "Treason," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "treason" means either "the crime of betraying one's country, especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government" or "the action of betraying someone or something," both meanings of which are far from meaning "a solemn promise." "Assurance," however, is a noun that means " a positive declaration intended to give confidence; a promise," and because "assurance" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "pledge," "assurance" is the correct answer.

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

A synonym of "nick" is __________.

Possible Answers:

volume

scratch

table

avoidance

presence

Correct answer:

scratch

Explanation:

"Nick" is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the potential answer choices are nouns, we will need to consider "nick" as a noun. When used as a noun, "nick" means "a small cut or notch," so we need to pick out a noun that mean something like "a small cut or notch." While "table" can refer to an object that could have a nick in it, "table" does not mean "nick," so "table" cannot be the correct answer. "Scratch," however, is a word that when used as a noun, means "a mark or wound made by scratching," or in other words, " a line or mark in the surface of something that is caused by something rough or sharp rubbing against it" or "a shallow and narrow cut in the skin that is caused by something sharp." Because "scratch" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "nick," "scratch" is the correct answer.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

Synonyms: choose the answer closest in meaning to the word in question.

Contrast

Possible Answers:

Difference

Resources

Likeness

Hardship

Similarity

Correct answer:

Difference

Explanation:

"Contrast" means difference.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

Synonyms: choose the answer closest in meaning to the word in question.

Revolt

Possible Answers:

to support

to rebel

to draft

to schedule

to command

Correct answer:

to rebel

Explanation:

"Revolt" means to rebel.

Example Question #96 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.

Retreat

Possible Answers:

to fight

to pull back

to tease

to continue

to build

Correct answer:

to pull back

Explanation:

"Retreat" means to withdraw or pull back.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.

Rescue

Possible Answers:

to teach

to feed

to save

to murder

to exercise

Correct answer:

to save

Explanation:

"Rescue" means to save.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.

Discount

Possible Answers:

to reduce

to study

to award

to explain

to increase

Correct answer:

to reduce

Explanation:

"Discount" means to reduce.

Example Question #97 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.

Sack

Possible Answers:

Friend

Airplane

Meal

Boat

Pouch

Correct answer:

Pouch

Explanation:

A "sack" is a pouch.

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