ISEE Lower Level Verbal : ISEE Lower Level (grades 5-6) Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Lower Level Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

STUN

Possible Answers:

Hit

Slap

Punch

Arrive

Amaze

Correct answer:

Amaze

Explanation:

When someone is "stunned," he or she is unable to move. Therefore, you might be tempted to pick one of the trap options given to this question. Do not be fooled into thinking that "stun" has to do with hurting someone. Therefore, we need to look for another sense to the word. Well, when someone tells someone something surprising, he or she is said to stun the other person if the other person doesn't know how to react. (The person is indeed stopped and unable to move or think!) Thus, we can stun someone with amazing news.  The verb "amaze" is a good synonym for this reason. When you "amaze" someone, that person is likely unable to respond at first because of his or her surprise.

Example Question #61 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

INTENSE

Possible Answers:

Passionate

Angry

Regular

Attentive

Annoyed

Correct answer:

Passionate

Explanation:

We often use the word "intense" to describe something that is very strong. An intense fire is one that is really hot. Someone can have an "intense personality," meaning that he or she is very passionate. That is the sense of the word being used in the one correct option offered here. Do not be tempted by "angry" or even "attentive." These do not indicate the general sense of strength that is indicated by the term "intensity."

Example Question #13 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

STELLAR

Possible Answers:

Outstanding

Elderly

Experimental

Visible

Scientific

Correct answer:

Outstanding

Explanation:

The word "stellar" comes from the Latin stella, meaning star. Thus, we can use "stellar" to describe things that pertain to space. Thus, "stellar readings" are observations about the stars. We also use the word informally to mean very excellent. We even see this kind of meaning when we say, "He was a music star," meaning that the person was very highly regarded for music skill. Thus, a good synonym for "stellar" is "outstanding."

Example Question #14 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

ORIGINAL

Possible Answers:

Boring

Tedious

Surprising

Creative

Repetitive

Correct answer:

Creative

Explanation:

The word "original" can have several meanings, though they are related. In one sense, we say that the "original running shoe" was the very first shoe of its kind.  To be "original" is to be first—it is to be at the origin or beginning of something. When someone is "creative," he or she makes new things that others have never made before. That is why we can say that an original person is creative. An "original idea" is one that has never been thought of before; therefore, it is likely very creative. This is the only option that expresses some meaning directly related to "original."

Example Question #15 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

COMPACT

Possible Answers:

Aware

Pivotal

Heavy

Agreement

Beautiful

Correct answer:

Agreement

Explanation:

Be careful on this question! The word "compact" can have two meanings that are pretty different. It can mean dense. Thus, a compact load of laundry is very densely packed. (The option "heavy" is a trick, trying to make you confuse being dense with being heavy.) The other meaning is "agreement." A "compact" is an agreement between two or more people. (Think of the Mayflower Compact that you have perhaps learned about in history class. This was an agreement among the settlers of the Plymouth colony.)

Example Question #16 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

CENTRAL

Possible Answers:

Aware

Excellent

Important

Sufficient

Plain

Correct answer:

Important

Explanation:

The word "central" can be used to mean in the middle. It can also mean very important. For example, we might say, "She was the central figure in the whole project." This doesn't mean that she merely was in the middle point of the group. She was the most important person involved. (The idea of being central in this sense does come from the general awareness of something being "in the middle" being important often. It is important to see that this involves some changes in meaning.)

Example Question #17 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

INSPIRING

Possible Answers:

Laughable

Uncalculated

Moral

Moving

Surprising

Correct answer:

Moving

Explanation:

When we are "inspired" by something, that thing makes us feel filled with hope. An inspirational speech makes us want to go and be the best that we can be. In a way, such a speech "moves" us—it moves our emotions at least. The word "moving" can be used to talk about physical movement. It can also be used to mean "inspirational" or something that brings out a person's emotions. It is in this sense that it is the correct answer for this question.

Example Question #61 : Synonyms

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

JOIN

Possible Answers:

Place

Connect

Put

Express

Elaborate

Correct answer:

Connect

Explanation:

The verb "to join" can be used to describe the action of entering a group. For instance, when someone "joins a book club," he or she becomes a member of that group. This meaning of "to join," however, is based on the more basic meaning—to connect. Thus, you can say, "He joined together the two sticks using glue."

Example Question #62 : Synonyms

What is a synonym for decent?

Possible Answers:

amazing

familiar

natural

adequate

joyful

Correct answer:

adequate

Explanation:

When something is decent, it is "okay" or even respectable.  Sometimes, we use this to describe someone's personality: "He was a decent man."   This means that he was a good man—or at least good enough and honest.  Sometimes, we can use the word to mean "enough" or "an adequate amount."  For example, you could say, "He ate a decent amount of food."  This means that he ate an acceptable amount of food.  It isn't too much, though it is definitely not too little.

Example Question #63 : Synonyms

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

KIND

Possible Answers:

Type

Sullen

Bubbly

Distracted

Cheerful

Correct answer:

Type

Explanation:

Do not be tricked by a question like this! When someone is "kind," he or she is likely nice and helpful. However, this does not mean that he or she is happy or "bubbly." You can be kind without being overly happy. This question is using "kind" in the sense of meaning a particular category. Thus, we say, "Chocolate is a kind of candy." This could also be said, "Chocolate is a type of candy."

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors