All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #51 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MOVE
Discuss
Take
Place
Grab
Inspire
Inspire
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 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ENHANCE
Exchange
Change
Foist
Magnify
Adjust
Magnify
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 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GRASP
Force
Comprehend
Recall
Educate
Push
Comprehend
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."
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.
STUN
Amaze
Hit
Arrive
Punch
Slap
Amaze
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 #62 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INTENSE
Angry
Attentive
Regular
Passionate
Annoyed
Passionate
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 #63 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
STELLAR
Outstanding
Scientific
Visible
Experimental
Elderly
Outstanding
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 #64 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ORIGINAL
Surprising
Creative
Boring
Repetitive
Tedious
Creative
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 #61 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
COMPACT
Heavy
Agreement
Aware
Beautiful
Pivotal
Agreement
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 #62 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CENTRAL
Sufficient
Plain
Excellent
Aware
Important
Important
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 #63 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INSPIRING
Moral
Surprising
Moving
Laughable
Uncalculated
Moving
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.
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