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 #54 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

PRESUMPTUOUS

Possible Answers:

Justified

Ashamed

Apt

Audacious

Bubbly

Correct answer:

Audacious

Explanation:

"Presumptuous" is an adjective that is used of a person or their behavior and means "failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not appropriate." "Apt," then, cannot be the correct answer because "apt" means "appropriate or suitable in the circumstances," making it an antonym, not a synonym of "presumptuous." "Audacious," however, is an adjective that means either "showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks," or "showing an impudent lack of respect." Because "audacious" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "presumptuous," "audacious" is the correct answer.

Example Question #57 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

ADAPTIVE

Possible Answers:

Charming

Flexible

Careful

Shy

Sneaky

Correct answer:

Flexible

Explanation:

Someone who is "adaptive" is good at adjusting to his or her surroundings. Someone who is "flexible" is able to accommodate different types of situations. Therefore, "adaptive" is most similar to "flexible."

Example Question #58 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

DEFT

Possible Answers:

Harmful

Unclear

Skillful

Overt

Confusing

Correct answer:

Skillful

Explanation:

Someone who is “deft” is very skillful at a particular activity. Something that is “harmful” is damaging. Something that is “overt” is obviouspalpable, or not at all hidden.

Example Question #1006 : Synonyms

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

CHATTY

Possible Answers:

Casual

Distant

Fluent

Talkative

Belligerent

Correct answer:

Talkative

Explanation:

"Chatty" is the adjectival form of the word "chat," which means talk casually about relatively unimportant subjects. Someone who is "chatty" likes to chat, so they are "talkative." "Fluent" may look like a potentially correct answer, but someone "fluent" in a language is able to speak that langauge very well, so it is not close in meaning to "chatty."

Example Question #1011 : Synonyms

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

STERN

Possible Answers:

Pompous

Envious

Fair

Unkind

Serious

Correct answer:

Serious

Explanation:

Someone who is “stern” is very strict and serious, so "stern" is closest in meaning to “severe,” a word that means very serious.

Example Question #392 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

WITTY

Possible Answers:

Desirable

Spontaneous

Difficult

Silly

Clever

Correct answer:

Clever

Explanation:

Someone who is "witty" is able to say clever things that are funny and entertaining. Therefore, "clever" is the correct answer.

Example Question #393 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

GREGARIOUS

Possible Answers:

Rude

talkative

Shy

Introspective

Eager

Correct answer:

talkative

Explanation:

Do you have a friend who is always happiest in large groups, or loves to talk to others more than anything else? Such a person would be "gregarious," or extremely social. "Talkative" certainly shares a similar meaning, so it is our correct choice. "Shy" is the opposite of "gregarious," and the same goes for "introspective," or deeply thoughtful and reflective. Finally, a "rude" person is impolite, not necessarily social or talkative.

Example Question #401 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

BASHFUL

Possible Answers:

Active

Corrupt

Timid

Resilient

Prudent

Correct answer:

Timid

Explanation:

We would use the adjective "bashful" to describe someone who is nervous around others and would likely avoid being noticed whenever possible. In other words, "bashful" is synonymous with "shy" or "timid," and we have found our answer! Just to be thorough, let's take a look at the three incorrect choices. "Resilient" refers to the quality of being strong or able to endure hardship. "Active" can either relate to physical exercise or simply mean busy, and a "corrupt" individual acts dishonestly or otherwise immorally, especially in a position of power. None of these choices relate to the term "bashful" at all, so "timid" should be our final choice.

Example Question #402 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

HUMOROUS

Possible Answers:

Tough

Lonely

Sad

Funny

Soft

Correct answer:

Funny

Explanation:

The word “humorous” means funny, so "funny" is the correct answer. The word “lonely” means feeling sad about being by yourself.

Example Question #402 : Synonyms: Adjectives

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

SINCERE

Possible Answers:

Bold

Genuine

Immoral

Proud

Optimistic

Correct answer:

Genuine

Explanation:

To be “sincere” means honest and truthful. It can also be used to describe an effort that is heartfelt as opposed to merely feigned. "Genuine" is thus the answer choice closest in meaning to "sincere," as it is close in meaning to this second usage. While "sincere" contains the syllable "sin," it does not derive from any word meaning "sin"; however, this may have encouraged you to pick "immoral," a synonym of "sinful," as your answer. As for the other terms, "bold" means brazen and undaunted; and "proud" means taking pleasure from what one has accomplished; and "optimistic" means choosing to see the future in a positive, hopeful light.

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