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 #124 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

DICTION

Possible Answers:

Narrative

Diffident 

Pronunciation

Deferential

Orator 

Correct answer:

Pronunciation

Explanation:

The prefix "dict-" means relating to speaking or relating to words, so the word “diction” refers to the way you speak. The best answer choice is “pronunciation.” To provide further help, “deferential” means showing respect; a “narrative” is a story; an “orator” is someone who is talented at public speaking; “diffident” means shy and insecure

Example Question #125 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

PARITY

Possible Answers:

Equality 

Adjunct 

Extol 

Congenial 

Pompous 

Correct answer:

Equality 

Explanation:

The prefix "par-" means equal, as in “par for the course” or “on par with.” The word “parity” is similar in meaning to "equality." To provide further help, “adjunct” means addition; “extol” means praise; “pompous” means arrogant and self-important; “congenial” means friendly, affable.

Example Question #126 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

LEVITY

Possible Answers:

Lightheartedness

Brevity

Solemnity

Natal

Moving

Correct answer:

Lightheartedness

Explanation:

In general, the word "levity" is related to humor or amusement. Specifically, it refers to joking or carefree happiness that interrupts a more serious mood. "Lighthearted" basically means happy in a way that lacks seriousness, so "lightheartedness" is the correct synonym here. Let's check the other three answer choices. Although it rhymes, "brevity" has nothing to do with levity; it denotes conciseness of language or (more generally) a short duration. "Solemnity" is synonymous with seriousness, so it is an antonym of our original term, and "natal" is an adjective that means associated with birth or newborn babies.

Example Question #171 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ONSET

Possible Answers:

Start

Sample

Setting

Discovery

Riot

Correct answer:

Start

Explanation:

The "onset" of something is its start or its beginning, so "start" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "onset": a "sample" is a small amount of something having the characteristics of larger amounts or the whole thing; "discovery" is the act of finding out something new; a "riot" is a violent demonstration or protest; and a "setting" can mean the time period and location in which a story takes place.

Example Question #128 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

INTENT

Possible Answers:

Wish

Goal

Content

Terror

Knowledge

Correct answer:

Goal

Explanation:

"Intent" is a word that when used as a noun means "intention or purpose," and when used as a verb means "resolved or determined to do (something)," "attentive occupied with," or, especially of a look, "showing earnest and eager intention." Because all of the answer choices are nouns, we will need to consider "intent" as a noun and pick out an answer choice that means something like "intention" or "purpose." So, while "content" and "intent" may both contain the syllable "tent," "content" when used as a noun means either "a state of satisfaction" or "the substance or material dealt with in a speech or literary work, as distinct from its form or style." So, "content" does not mean the same thing as "intent" and cannot be the correct answer. "Goal," however, is a noun that can mean "the object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result," and because "goal" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "intent," "goal" is the correct answer.

Example Question #129 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

DISCORD

Possible Answers:

Concord 

Agreement 

Harmony 

Conflict 

Accord 

Correct answer:

Conflict 

Explanation:

Discord means disagreement or conflict. To further help you, harmony, accord, and concord are all synonyms and mean agreement.

Example Question #130 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

CORROBORATION

Possible Answers:

Contradiction

Confirmation

Idealism

Contrition

Correct answer:

Confirmation

Explanation:

The word "corroboration" means proof that confirms a given theory or statement is correct; therefore, "confirmation" is the word that most closely matches its definition, as "confirmation" can mean information that confirms something. "Contrition" means guilt, penitence, or regret, so it is is unrelated to the definition of "corroboration." "Idealism," which means the characteristic of chasing unrealistic dreams of perfection, is also unrelated. A "contradiction" occurs when the difference between two things means that both cannot be true. This is almost the opposite of "corroboration."

Example Question #131 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

LUCK

Possible Answers:

Favor

Happiness

Predictability

Cause

Fortune

Correct answer:

Fortune

Explanation:

"Luck" is a noun that means "success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions" or "something regarded as bringing about or portending good or bad things." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that is a noun and means something like "chance." "Predictability" might sound like the correct answer, but if something is predictable, it is not likely to be occurring by chance, so "predictability" cannot be the correct answer. "Fortune," however, is a noun that can mean "chance or luck as an external, arbitrary force affecting human affairs" or "luck, especially good luck," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "luck," "fortune" is the correct answer.

Example Question #132 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

PLIGHT

Possible Answers:

Difficulty

Banquet

Help

Circle

Beverage

Correct answer:

Difficulty

Explanation:

"Plight" means a dangerous situation or a predicament, so "difficulty," which can be used to mean a difficult situation, is the correct answer. To help you, a "beverage" is a drink, and a "banquet" is a feast.

Example Question #133 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

MISCHIEF

Possible Answers:

Trouble

Participation

Mistake

Conclusion

Peace

Correct answer:

Trouble

Explanation:

"Mischief" is a noun that means "playful misbehavior or troublemaking, especially in children," or "harm or trouble caused by someone or something." So, while "mistake" may look like a good answer choice because both "mischief" and "mistake" begin with the prefix "mis-", which means "wrongly," "mistake" does not mean the same thing as "mischief," so "mistake" cannot be the correct answer. "Trouble" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "mischief," so "trouble" is the correct answer.

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