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 #569 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EDUCATE

Possible Answers:

Teach

Elude

Demand

Learn

Irritate

Correct answer:

Teach

Explanation:

The "ed-" in "educate" stems from the "ex-" prefix, here meaning out of; the "-ducate" portion of the word stems from Latin roots meaning lead. So, to "educate" stems from roots that mean lead out of or train. "Educate" has since shifted its definition and now means instruct as a student or "teach." As for the other answer choices, “demand” means forcefully ask for or say something has to be done or given; “elude” means get away from or hide from; “irritate” means annoy or vex; and "learn" means gain knowledge about a specific concept or procedure.

Example Question #731 : Synonyms

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

IMPLY

Possible Answers:

Describe

Classify

Contribute

Earn

Suggest

Correct answer:

Suggest

Explanation:

"Imply" means suggest something without stating it explicitly, so "suggest" is the correct answer. "Describe" means provide details regarding a person or some event. "Classify" means arrange in groups according to the qualities of the thing being sorted. "Contribute" means fund or to give money to some cause. "Earn" can mean either deserve when referring to something like respect, or get in return for work when referring to money.

Example Question #734 : Synonyms

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

BAFFLE

Possible Answers:

Confuse

Clarify

Bore

Assure

Explain

Correct answer:

Confuse

Explanation:

"Baffle" means confuse, so "confuse" is the correct answer.

Example Question #732 : Synonyms

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

COMMEND

Possible Answers:

Critique

Judge

Inquire

Remark

Salute

Correct answer:

Salute

Explanation:

First of all, do not confuse the word "commend" with "comment." The latter ("comment") might be used to mean remark when used as a noun, as when we "make a comment"; it can also be used as a verb meaning say, as in "to comment on something." The word we are looking for is a synonym of "commend." When we "re-commend" someone, we tell judge that someone is good at something and tell another person that they should think the same. When we do this, we "re-praise" the person; we praise him or her again to someone else. The word "commend" is a verb that means praise, generally indicating that the praise is being done in a formal ceremony of sorts—some sort of official praising. When we "salute," we do not necessarily make a gesture like a soldier in the military. The word "salute" can be used to describe the action of praising someone. Indeed, when a soldier "salutes" his or her general, he is recognizing and praising the authority of that person. There is at least a relation between the two uses for "salute." Since the word "commend" means recognize or praise and so does "salute," the latter is the best option given for a synonym.

Example Question #572 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RETORT

Possible Answers:

Reply

Halt

Conclude

Compose

Backtrack

Correct answer:

Reply

Explanation:

"Retort," when used as a verb, means answer or reply. When used as a noun, a "retort" is an answer or a reply. The best choice is "reply," as it is a part of the definition of "retort." Considering the other choices, "conclude" means come to a decision or finish, "compose" means write, and "halt" means stop.

Example Question #573 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DECEIVE

Possible Answers:

Remove

Deny

Contradict

Mislead

Placate

Correct answer:

Mislead

Explanation:

When something is "deceiving," it is tricky. It looks one way when, in fact, it is another thing. Thus, when we try to "deceive" someone, we try to trick that person. We attempt to make them think that one thing is true when, in fact, something else is the case. Thus, the best option here is "mislead." When we deceive someone, we "lead" them to believe the wrong thing.

Example Question #741 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

EXPRESS

Possible Answers:

Communicate

Surprise

Question

Alleviate

Shout

Correct answer:

Communicate

Explanation:

When we "express" a thought, we attempt to communicate it in words as well as in bodily movements. An "expressive song" is one that has the power of communicating a message powerfully. An "expression" is a series of words communicating some kind of meaning. Thus, the best option for "express" is "communicate," for this alone focuses on the idea of making known some sort of message.

Example Question #742 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

ABUSE

Possible Answers:

Defend

Protect

Hurt

Repeal

Abolish

Correct answer:

Hurt

Explanation:

To "abuse" something is to hurt it. Something that has been "abused" has been hurt or tormented. To provide further help, "abolish" and "repeal" are synonyms - both words mean to stop, to formally discontinue

Example Question #576 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PARDON

Possible Answers:

Quake

Reward

Remedy

Forgive

Punish

Correct answer:

Forgive

Explanation:

To "pardon" someone means to forgive them, to excuse behavior. To provide further help, "remedy" means fix, solution, solve; "quake" means tremor, shake

Example Question #577 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ACKNOWLEDGE

Possible Answers:

Support

Admit

Maintain

Recount

Aware

Correct answer:

Admit

Explanation:

The word "acknowledge" clearly has a root of "knowledge" in it. It has to do with showing your awareness of something or someone. For example, "acknowledging a person's dignity," means, "recognizing his or her dignity." It can also mean merely to admit, as when we say, "I acknowledged that I broke the glass." This means that you admit that you broke it.

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