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: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

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

BRILLIANT

Possible Answers:

Alert

Memorable

Mathematical

Dazzling

Careful

Correct answer:

Dazzling

Explanation:

The word "brilliant" has two main sets of meanings. The word originally comes from roots meaning to shine. Thus, we know of usages like, "The light brilliantly shone on the water." This means that it was shining brightly upon the water. Now, it has also been extended to mean intelligent, as when we say that someone is "bright." In this question, the only possible meaning is "dazzling." The other options may tempt you (especially "mathematical"). However, none of them express a possible meaning for "brilliant."

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

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

LIGHT

Possible Answers:

Interesting

Summer

Cloudy

Known

Easy

Correct answer:

Easy

Explanation:

This question is trying to trick you into avoiding the sense of "light" that is implied by the answer choices. Yes, the word "light" has to do with physical light; however, this is not at all the same as being cloudy or, even, with "summer." (Indeed, many summer days could be quite dark and cloudy.) The word "light" can also mean "not heavy," and in this sense, it can also mean, "easy." This is the answer to this question.

Example Question #1 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

CLOUDY

Possible Answers:

Uncertain

Predictable

Rainy

Showering

Depressing

Correct answer:

Uncertain

Explanation:

The word "cloudy" is, of course, used to describe the familiar weather condition; however, do not be fooled by this question. It is trying to get you to answer using anything that you might relate to weather. You might even choose "depressing" because many people get depressed during cloudy weather. Do not be tricked! Whenever the air is cloudy, it is not clear. Therefore, the word "cloudy" is sometimes used in an extended sense to mean "not clear" or "uncertain." For example, you could say, "His explanation was somewhat cloudy, so I asked him to be more specific." Also, you could say, "He was a bit cloudy about the details, so he asked several questions to help clarify his knowledge about the event." In both of these cases, the word "cloudy" has to do with a kind of mental uncertainty. The only option that matches this sort of meaning is "uncertain."

Example Question #51 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

VILLAIN

Possible Answers:

Hero

Convict

Ghost

Monster

Devil

Correct answer:

Convict

Explanation:

The word "villain" is often used in stories. It indicates the "bad guy" or the "antagonist" in the story. Now, this might tempt you to choose something like "monster" or "devil," but the best option is actually "convict." Unless the question gives you "antagonist" for an option, you have to use the secondary meaning of "villain," which indicates, in general, someone who inflicts harm on others.

Example Question #52 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

CLASS

Possible Answers:

Distance

Scholarship

Group

Education

Flight

Correct answer:

Group

Explanation:

The word "class" is primarily used to describe a group of people or things. Thus, on a plane, "first class" is the group of passengers who have the most expensive tickets. In school, a "class" is a group of students. Note, however, that "class" is not synonymous with "education" or "scholarship."  These options are trying to trick you!

Example Question #53 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

FINE

Possible Answers:

Denied

Dusty

Forgetful

Cold

Punished

Correct answer:

Dusty

Explanation:

The word "fine" has many meanings. Do not be tempted by "punished". Yes, a "fine" is a punishment; however, that is a noun use, while "punished" is an adjective. The best option, perhaps surprisingly, is "dusty."  If you had powder that you would call "fine," this would be very dusty powder. This is the best option among those given.

Example Question #54 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

EXAMPLE

Possible Answers:

Excitement

Model

Surprise

Expected

Distance

Correct answer:

Model

Explanation:

In general, the word "example" means a particular case or specimen. For example, you can say, "The word 'greet' is an example of a verb, but you can also use the word "example" in the sense of "a model" (to be imitated). For instance, you could say, "Regis' actions were an example for his younger brother to follow." This means that Regis' actions were a model for his younger brother.

Example Question #51 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

MOVE

Possible Answers:

Inspire

Take

Place

Grab

Discuss

Correct answer:

Inspire

Explanation:

Likely, you are thinking of the meaning of "move" as in "to move from one place to another"; however, the word "move" can also be used in several other senses. For this question, the sense is, to inspire, as when we say, "That was a moving discussion." In this example, "moving" means inspiring. Do not be tricked by options like "grab," "take," or "place." All of these have to do with physical locations, but they do not have to do with moving in any immediate sense.

Example Question #52 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

ENHANCE

Possible Answers:

Exchange

Foist

Magnify

Adjust

Change

Correct answer:

Magnify

Explanation:

You likely use the word "enhance" to mean to improve. For example, you might say, "The new phone was enhanced by many new features;" however, you could also think of such improvement as being a kind of "enlargening" of the quality of the thing in question. Thus, sometimes, people will speak of something that is "enhanced" by becoming bigger. Thus, the word "magnify" can be used as a synonym. You might use "enhanced" in this way when saying, "The new ingredients enhanced the already excellent flavors," and mean, "The new ingredients made the already excellent flavors even more powerful." This is a kind of "magnification," for you can say, "The new ingredients magnified the flavors."

Example Question #53 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

GRASP

Possible Answers:

Push

Comprehend

Force

Recall

Educate

Correct answer:

Comprehend

Explanation:

Although we use the word "grasp" in a physical sense, it also has a metaphorical meaning that is related to this. When we "grasp an idea," we mean that we understand it. Another way of saying that you understand something is to say that you comprehend it. (This actually means that you really understand it.)  Do not be fooled by options like "shove" and "force."  These do not even match the basic, physical meaning of "grasp."

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