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 #34 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

HEALTHY

Possible Answers:

Elegant

Operable

Medicinal

Amazing

Normal

Correct answer:

Normal

Explanation:

The word "healthy" can be used to describe someone's state of physical well-being. It can also just mean "normal" or "enough." For example, you can say that someone has a "healthy appetite." This person has a normal appetite—instead of having one that is sickly and very small. Also, you could say, "He had a healthy suspicion about gambling." This means that the person has a reasonable and normal suspicion about gambling, which is a risk business after all!

Example Question #35 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

MAJORITY

Possible Answers:

Minority 

Most

Large

Important 

Bulky 

Correct answer:

Most

Explanation:

"Majority" means more than 50%, or the group with the most members in a given vote or debate. It is the opposite of "minority," which therefore cannot be the correct answer. The right answer is "most," because "most" means more than half. Thus, majority and most are synonyms. While "majority" can sometimes be used as a noun, it can also be used as an adjective. ("The majority of the population" is an example of it being used as a noun, while "the majority vote" is an example of it being used as an adjective.)

Example Question #36 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

MAJORITY

Possible Answers:

Minority

Large

Bulky

Most

Important

Correct answer:

Most

Explanation:

"Majority" means more than 50%, or the group with the most members in a given vote or debate. It is the opposite of "minority," which therefore cannot be the correct answer. The right answer is "most," because "most" means more than half. Thus, majority and most are synonyms. While "majority" can sometimes be used as a noun, it can also be used as an adjective. ("The majority of the population" is an example of it being used as a noun, while "the majority vote" is an example of it being used as an adjective.)

Example Question #37 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

Select the word that has most nearly the same meaning as the word in capital letters.

ESTEEM

Possible Answers:

sincerity

arrogant

estimation

regards

congratulations

Correct answer:

regards

Explanation:

Although "regards" has several meanings, one of them is almost interchangeable with "esteem," which means judgement or opinion.

Note that "estimation," a similar-sounding word, is completely unrelated.

Example Question #38 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ABROAD:

Possible Answers:

close

detached

flattened

impending

overseas

Correct answer:

overseas

Explanation:

Abroad most closely means overseas.  If someone travels or studies abroad, it means they go overseas to another country.

Example Question #39 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

HUNCH:

Possible Answers:

reflex

understanding

reaction

idea

knowledge

Correct answer:

idea

Explanation:

If someone has a hunch, it means they have an idea or feeling about a situation or something in particular.

Example Question #40 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

A synonym of "rot" is __________.

Possible Answers:

gross out

persuade

decay

write

grow

Correct answer:

decay

Explanation:

"Rot" is a verb that means "decay or cause to decay by the action of bacteria and fungi; decompose." While something that is rotting might gross someone out, "gross out" does not mean the same thing as "rot," so it cannot be the correct answer. Because "decay" is the closest synonym to "rot" amongst the listed answer choices, "decay" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

A synonym of "wince" is __________.

Possible Answers:

protect

suggest

flinch

congratulate

anticipate

Correct answer:

flinch

Explanation:

"Wince" is a word that when used as a verb, means "give a slight involuntary grimace or withdrawing movement of the body in anticipation of pain or distress." "Flinch," a word that when used as a verb means "make a quick, nervous movement of the face or body as an instinctive reaction to surprise, fear or pain," is the answer choice closest in meaning to "wince," so "flinch" is the correct answer.

Example Question #42 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

A synonym of "hoax" is __________.

Possible Answers:

contention

ruse

fear

truth

explanation

Correct answer:

ruse

Explanation:

"Hoax" is a word that when used as a noun means "a humorous or malicious deception," and as a verb, "deceive with a hoax." So, "truth" cannot be the correct answer because "truth" is an antonym of "hoax." "Ruse," however, is a noun that means "an action intended to deceive someone; a trick." Because "ruse" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "hoax," "ruse" is the correct answer.

Example Question #43 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

A synonym of "luster" is __________.

Possible Answers:

texture

noise

shine

dampness

dullness

Correct answer:

shine

Explanation:

"Luster," when used as a noun, means "a gentle sheen or soft glow, especially that of a partly reflective surface," so we need to pick out an answer choice that is a noun and means something like "a gentle sheen." "Dullness" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "dullness" is an antonym of "sheen." "Shine," however, when used as a noun, means "a quality of brightness, especially from reflected light," and because "shine" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "luster," "shine" is the correct answer.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors