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 #64 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BENEFACTOR

Possible Answers:

Supporter

Narrator 

Protagonist 

Antagonist 

Detractor 

Correct answer:

Supporter

Explanation:

A “benefactor” is someone who supports a cause and contributes money to it. To provide further help, a “detractor” criticizes or takes away from a cause; a “narrator” is a storyteller; the “protagonist” is the hero of a story and the “antagonist” is the villain of the story

Example Question #65 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RASCAL

Possible Answers:

Delegate

Scoundrel

Genius

Governor

Professor

Correct answer:

Scoundrel

Explanation:

A "rascal" is a troublemaker, a scoundrel. To provide further help, a "genius" is someone who is very clever; a "governor" is a political figure elected to govern a state; a "delegate" is someone chosen to represent the interests of a group of people

Example Question #71 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INTRUDER

Possible Answers:

Robber

Criminal

Invader

Burglar

Legality

Correct answer:

Invader

Explanation:

The word "intrude" literally means to push oneself into. Thus, you could "intrude on a conversation" by jumping into the conversation even if you aren't actually welcome. Often, we speak of an "intruder" as someone who breaks into a house. Now, such a person is almost certainly a criminal; however, the word "intruder" most directly means someone who goes into a place without being invited or permitted in. Therefore, the best option is "invader." When someone invades an area, he or she enters it without being welcomed. This is the best meaning among the options given.

Example Question #72 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BURGLAR

Possible Answers:

Prisoner

Villain

Criminal

Thief

Invader

Correct answer:

Thief

Explanation:

Sometimes, you should be very careful just to go with your first idea for an answer. Almost everyone knows the word "burglar," meaning someone who steals from another person; however, with some of the options like "prisoner" and "criminal," you might start to wonder if you need to choose something other than "thief." Don't be tricked! "Thief" is the correct answer!

Example Question #73 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "tyrant" is __________.

Possible Answers:

peasant

king

despot

prince

herald

Correct answer:

despot

Explanation:

"Tyrant" is a noun that means either "a cruel and oppressive ruler" or "a person exercising power or control in a cruel, unreasonable, or arbitrary way," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "a cruel ruler." While "king" may seem like a good answer choice because a king is a kind of ruler, a king is not necessarily a cruel ruler like a tyrant is. "Despot," however, means "a ruler or other person who holds absolute power, typically one who exercises it in a cruel or oppressive way." Because "despot" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "tyrant," "despot" is the correct answer.

Example Question #74 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PARTNER

Possible Answers:

Relative

Coworker

Slave

Section

Element

Correct answer:

Coworker

Explanation:

A "partner" is someone who works with another person. Often, we use the word to describe someone's husband or wife, but it can also be used to describe someone's coworker. Think of when we talk about "business partners." This describes the relationship between people who work together in the same company, likely both owning some share of the company. A partner is anyone that we choose to share an activity with.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns For Nonhuman Living Things

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

VERMIN

Possible Answers:

Animals

Quacks

Tyrants 

Pests

Lawyers 

Correct answer:

Pests

Explanation:

“Vermin” are pests. For instance, rats and mosquitos could be considered vermin. To provide further help, a “lawyer” is someone who understands and practices the law; a “tyrant” is a ruler whose power is absolute is often cruel to his people; a “quack” is a phony.

Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

FELINE

Possible Answers:

Cat

Subway

Dog

Horse

Car

Correct answer:

Cat

Explanation:

A "feline" is another word for a "cat." "Canine" is a similar synonym for "dog," and "equine" is a similar synonym for "horse." As a word "feline" has no relation to subways or cars.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns For Nonliving Things

A synonym of "catastrophe" is __________.

Possible Answers:

creation

understanding

veracity

calamity

tranquility

Correct answer:

calamity

Explanation:

"Catastrophe" is a noun that means "an event causing great and often sudden damage or suffering; a disaster," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "disaster." "Tranquility" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "tranquility" means "the quality or state of being tranquil; calm," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "catastrophe." "Calamity," however, is a noun that means "an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster," and because "calamity" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "catastrophe," "calamity" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Nouns For Nonliving Things

A synonym of "havoc" is __________.

Possible Answers:

measurement

devastation

complaint

memory

tidiness

Correct answer:

devastation

Explanation:

"Havoc" is a noun that means either "widespread destruction" or "great confusion or disorder." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "destruction" or "disorder." So, "tidiness" cannot be the correct answer, because "tidiness" means "the quality of being not messy, but neat and controlled," making "tidiness" an antonym, not a synonym, of "havoc." "Devastation," however, is a noun that means "great destruction or damage" or "severe and overwhelming shock or grief," and because "devastation" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "havoc," "devastation" is the correct answer.

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