ISEE Middle Level Verbal : ISEE Middle Level (grades 7-8) Verbal Reasoning

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #85 : Sentence Completions: Context Clues

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

While Mike and Doug felt __________ about their team's win in the tournament, Jake felt __________ about what he thought was cheating on their part.

Possible Answers:

sad . . . sullen

remorseful . . . content

satisfied . . . wasteful

elated . . . euphoric

happy . . . conflicted

Correct answer:

happy . . . conflicted

Explanation:

The word "while" at the beginning of the sentence signals the presence of opposition between two or more elements in this sentence. In this case, there are two friends who are happy about their team's win, while another friend who is not. Given that Jake is unhappy about how the team reached their goal of winning, he's likely conflicted-- probably torn about cheering with his friends and teammates, but unable to fully engage due to their act of cheating. Therefore, the best answer is "happy" and "conflicted." The other pairs do not fully express the strong oppostion that presents itself in the scenario the sentence describes--for one "elated" and "euphoric" are very close in meaning (not opposites), as well as, "sad" and "sullen" (both are very close). "Satisfied" and "wasteful" are not opposites, and a cheating scandal does not make you feel "wasteful" as much as ethically at odds. The same with "remorseful" and "content;" they are not opposites and do not fit the emotions described in the sentence.

Example Question #86 : Sentence Completions: Context Clues

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Although the scientists __________ the latest results, they agreed that part of the experiment had been well done.

Possible Answers:

confirmed

corrected

disputed

consented

disturbed

Correct answer:

disputed

Explanation:

Identify the key transition term in the sentence: "although." It calls forth an opposition; in this case, between scientists' negative reaction to some results and their aproval of the part of the method that was used to produce them. You are looking for a word in the negative slot, that would allow you to say that the scientists did not agree with the results. "Corrected," "consented," and "confirmed" are all positive words; and "disturbed" is an awkward choice to describe disagreement, so therefore you can eliminate it. The scientists disputed the results, despite agreeing with the experiment. 

Example Question #87 : Sentence Completions: Context Clues

Select the word or pair that best completes the sentence.

Tania and her mother accepted the fact that they would not be able to purchase a dog, since getting one would mean that one of them had to come home early to feed him and take him for a walk. Therefore, they __________ for a cat.

Possible Answers:

settled

triumphed

fought

celebrated

struggled

Correct answer:

settled

Explanation:

To "settle" for something means to become satisfied with it after your first option becomes unavailable or unattainable. Since Tania and her mom really want a dog, but decide they can't care for it, they "settle" for a cat. The other options do not adequately convey the idea of choosing your second best option.

Example Question #88 : Sentence Completions: Context Clues

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

As a foreigner living in the United States, I have to be extra careful not to commit any crimes or I run the risk of being __________.

Possible Answers:

reinstated 

exhumed 

infected 

daunted 

deported 

Correct answer:

deported 

Explanation:

The speaker of this sentence is an immigrant living in America. Based on the context of this sentence you know that the correct answer must mean something like removed from the country for committing a crime. The correct answer is therefore "deported." To provide further help, "daunted" means frightened, intimidated; "exhumed" means dug up, as in dug up a corpse; "infected" means made sick; "reinstated" means brought back, allowed to rejoin something

Example Question #91 : Sentence Completions: Conjunctions And Sentence Logic

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

He had always been introverted and found it very hard to make friends; eventually he decided to __________ social interaction altogether. 

Possible Answers:

mentor

shun

compute 

embrace

flatter

Correct answer:

shun

Explanation:

The structure of this sentence suggests that the subject only grew more detached from society as the years went by (the use of the words "eventually" and "altogether" tell you this). So, the correct answer must mean something like avoid, shy away from, keep away from. The correct answer is "shun." To provide further help, "embrace" means welcome and is an antonym of "shun." Additionally, to "mentor" means to teach, to help out; "compute" means calculate using data; "flatter" means praise

Example Question #101 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

My grandmother went to the doctor for a routine check-up, but it turns out she has lung cancer; the __________ is less than a year.

Possible Answers:

pilgrimage

prognosis

diagnosis 

insight 

creed

Correct answer:

prognosis

Explanation:

A "prognosis" is the likely progression of a disease and how long it will take for the disease to kill someone. The information about the speaker's grandmother having less than a year should lead you to this answer. To provide further help, "diagnosis" means the identification of what type of disease someone has; a "pilgrimage" is a religious journey; a "creed" is a fundamental belief; "insight" is awareness, special knowledge about something

Example Question #93 : Sentence Completions: Conjunctions And Sentence Logic

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Due to the wildfires raging in Northern California many inhabitants have __________ their homes.

Possible Answers:

demolished

abandoned

enervated

verified

implored

Correct answer:

abandoned

Explanation:

If fires were raging in a neighborhood it would make sense for those living in that neighborhood to leave their homes. So the correct answer must mean something like left behind, fled, disavowed. The correct answer is therefore "abandoned." To provide further help,  "enervated" means weakened; "demolished" means destroyed; "verified" means confirmed; "implored" means begged, urged.

Example Question #94 : Sentence Completions: Conjunctions And Sentence Logic

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Whilst her best friend was able to live in a gorgeous and distinctive apartment building; the best she could afford was a __________ building way out of town. 

Possible Answers:

resplendent 

opulent

sumptuous 

nondescript 

elegant 

Correct answer:

nondescript 

Explanation:

Based on the structure of this sentence you know that the correct answer must mean something opposite to either "gorgeous" or "distinctive." "Distinctive" means different to the point of being easily noticed. So, the correct answer is "nondescript" which means unremarkable, lacking any distinguishing qualities. To provide further help, the four incorrect answer choices are all loosely synonyms of "gorgeous." They all describe something that is beautiful, especially attractive and impressive

Example Question #95 : Sentence Completions: Conjunctions And Sentence Logic

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

"Okay," she said, "our old plan is not working, we need to __________ a new one."

Possible Answers:

eradicate

dominate

formulate

inundate

replicate

Correct answer:

formulate

Explanation:

The speaker here is saying that the group's old plan is not working for them and as a result they need to come up with a new one. The correct answer is therefore "formulate" because that means come up with, develop. To provide further help, "inundate" means flood, overwhelm; "eradicate" means get rid of; "dominate" means take control over; "replicate" means copy.

Example Question #96 : Sentence Completions: Conjunctions And Sentence Logic

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

"Listen son," admonished the Captain, "you need to toughen up, the battlefield is no place for the __________."

Possible Answers:

outfoxed

fainthearted

brawny

exquisite

abrasive

Correct answer:

fainthearted

Explanation:

The Captain tells another man that he needs to toughen up if he is to survive on the battlefield. This suggests that the correct answer must mean the opposite of tough. The correct answer is therefore "fainthearted" which means scared, shy, timid, cowardly, afraid. To provide further help, "outfoxed" means outwitted, beaten by someone's cunning; "abrasive" means rude and obnoxious; "brawny" means strong; "exquisite" means lovely, beautiful, magnificent

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