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 #34 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

JOCULAR

Possible Answers:

Tired

Smart

Humorous

Exasperated

Correct answer:

Humorous

Explanation:

The adjective "jocular" describes someone who tends to make jokes or act lighthearted. "Humorous," another term for funny, is the proper choice. You likely already know the meanings of "tired" and "smart," and therefore know that neither word refers to a playful or joking manner. Finally, "exasperated" is a good word to know, though not the correct answer. You've probably felt "exasperated" when you've been annoyed by an irritating situation that has gone on for too long.

Example Question #817 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DILIGENT

Possible Answers:

Attentive

Apathetic

Heedless

Negligent

Correct answer:

Attentive

Explanation:

"Diligent" means putting one's whole effort into carefully doing something. "Attentive," meaning demonstrating careful thought or observation, is the best match.

Example Question #35 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

FLIPPANT

Possible Answers:

Sassy

Hostile

Laid-back

Courteous

Sharp

Correct answer:

Sassy

Explanation:

"Flippant" means lacking proper respect. "Sassy" is the best match because it means cheeky or impertinent.

Example Question #36 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

UNRULY

Possible Answers:

Meager

Obedient

Faithful

Rebellious

Correct answer:

Rebellious

Explanation:

Think of "unruly" as an adjective meaning not following rules, difficult to control, or rebellious. "Obedient" and "faithful" are antonyms of "unruly" and "rebellious." "Meager" means very small or too small in amount.

Example Question #37 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

BORING

Possible Answers:

Fascinating

Dull

Exciting

Intriguing

Correct answer:

Dull

Explanation:

"Fascinating" and "intriguing" are synonyms, and both words mean interesting. Eliminate them, because there can be only one right answer. "Exciting" means "amazing," the opposite of "boring." So, "dull" is the correct answer.

Example Question #41 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

JOVIAL

Possible Answers:

Festive

Morose

Solemn

Melancholy

Correct answer:

Festive

Explanation:

If you are unsure what the word in capital letters means, look at the answer choices. You can eliminate any answer choices that are synonyms of one other, because there isn't more than one right answer. "Morose" and "melancholy" both mean sad, so you can eliminate them. "Solemn" can mean serious. "Festive" is the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to "jovial"; both words mean good-humored or merry.

Example Question #42 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

RETENTIVE

Possible Answers:

Owning possessions

Having good memory

Educated 

Wealthy

Healthy

Correct answer:

Having good memory

Explanation:

“Retentive” means able to hold on to memories, or “having good memory.” To provide further help, “possessions” are things that are owned

Example Question #43 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

ARROGANT

Possible Answers:

Modest

Content

Secretive

Pompous

Inferior

Correct answer:

Pompous

Explanation:

If someone is "arrogant," they are known to be proud and pompous, so "pompous," which means full of oneself, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "arrogant": "modest" means playing down one's own accomplishments and skills, so it is an antonym of "arrogant"; "inferior" means lesser than something else in quality or some characteristic; "secretive" means uncommunicative or not giving out very much information about something; and "content," when used as an adjective, means happy with the one's current situation.

Example Question #44 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DISCREET

Possible Answers:

Obvious

Hopeful

Fraudulent

Unknown

Prudent

Correct answer:

Prudent

Explanation:

Something that is "discreet" is careful, tactful, or prudent, so "prudent" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "discreet": "obvious" means overt or easy to understand or see; "hopeful" means optimistic; "fraudulent" means deceptive; and "unknown" means not known, as you can tell from the word being a combination of the negative prefix "un-," which here means not, and "known."

Example Question #45 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

AMIABLE

Possible Answers:

Responsive

Friendly

Pious

Ambivalent

Correct answer:

Friendly

Explanation:

The word "amiable" means having a friendly and pleasant disposition; therefore, "friendly" is the word that most closely matches the definition of "amiable." "Ambivalent" means having mixed feelings and "pious" means extremely religious. Like "responsive," their definitions are unrelated to the meaning of "amiable," making them incorrect answers choices.

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