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 #1221 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

COMPREHEND

Possible Answers:

Confuse

Impoverish

Baffle

Understand

Correct answer:

Understand

Explanation:

To "comprehend" information is to understand or make sense of it. If you find that a certain school subject is extremely easy, you likely "comprehend" most of the facts and explanations given in the class. "Understand" is the clear choice here. "Baffle" and "confuse" each related to not being able to understand something, so neither can be the correct answer. "Impoverish" is a verb that means make poor; therefore, it is not a relevant answer.

Example Question #1222 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

RELINQUISH

Possible Answers:

Excel

Apply

Give

Renounce

Correct answer:

Renounce

Explanation:

"Relinquish" means surrender or begrudgingly give an object to someone else, so the answer choice closest in meaning to "relinquish" is "renounce," a verb that means forswear or give something up. Considering the other choices, none are close in meaning to "relinquish": "apply" means put to use or request in a formal application; "excel" means be extremely good at; and "give" means hand something to someone or transfer an object to someone else's possession, often with no expectation of reciprocal gain.

Example Question #1223 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

PROHIBIT

Possible Answers:

Neglect

Condone

Forbid

Allow

Correct answer:

Forbid

Explanation:

When an action is "prohibited," it is made illegal or otherwise forbidden by an authority (the law, your parents, a teacher, etc.). It is clear that "forbid" is the proper synonym. Of the remaining answer choices, "allow" is an antonym, since an activity that is allowed is not forbidden. "Condone" similarly refers to the acceptance of a behavior, though it is generally used in regard to behaviors that are considered negative. Finally, to "neglect" a person or activity is to ignore or abandon it, so this term is also incorrect.

Example Question #1224 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

GRANT

Possible Answers:

Allow

Corroborate

Fabricate

Found

Debase

Correct answer:

Allow

Explanation:

The definition that is closest in meaning to "grant" is "allow," since "grant," when used as a verb, means give or permit.

Example Question #1225 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

A synonym of “empower” is __________.

Possible Answers:

prohibit

hurry

engage

authorize

disobey

Correct answer:

authorize

Explanation:

“Empower” is a verb that can mean either “to give power to” or “make a person stronger and more confident.” That means that “prohibit” cannot be the correct answer, because “prohibit” means “formally forbid,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “empower.” “Authorize,” however, is a verb that means “give official permission,” and because “authorize” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “empower,” “authorize” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1226 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Synonyms: choose the word closest in meaning to the word in question.

REVERE
Possible Answers:

Personify

Keen

Swerve

Respect

Backward
Correct answer:

Respect

Explanation:
If you at first do not recognize the word "revere," think of other words that are similar, like "reverence." When you hold something in reverence, you hold it in great respect and awe, so it makes sense that "revere," being the verbal form of "reverence," means to hold in great respect and awe. If you did not look at the question closely and thought the word in question was "reverse," you might have picked "backward," as "backward" is a synonym of "reverse." However, "backward" is very distant in meaning from "revere," so it cannot be the correct answer. Considering the rest of the potential answers, "keen" is an adjective while "revere" is a verb, so "keen" cannot be the correct answer. "Personify" is a verb that means represent, while swerve is a verb that means to turn sharply, so neither of these answers can be correct, either. "Respect," however, is a verb that means esteem or admire, and because "respect" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "revere," "respect" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1227 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DISCERN

Possible Answers:

Find out

Certify

Lie

Insult

Correct answer:

Find out

Explanation:

The word "discern" means find out. "Find out" is the best choice because it is a part of the definition of "discern." Considering the other options, "insult" means offend, "certify" means make true, and "lie" means fib or tell someone something that is not true as if it is true.

Example Question #1228 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

INCRIMINATE

Possible Answers:

Crime

Blame

Criminal

Prison

Correct answer:

Blame

Explanation:

The word "incriminate" is a verb that means blame or accuse. "Blame" is the best choice because it is a part of the defintion of "incriminate." Considering the other choices, a "criminal" is a person who commits a crime. A criminal is a person who might be incriminated for a crime. "Prison" is a building that holds people who have been convicted of a crime or are awaiting trial. A prison is where a person may go after being incriminated for a crime. A "crime" is an action prohibited by law and is something for which a person might be incriminated.

Example Question #64 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DERIDE

Possible Answers:

Ride

Honor

Ridicule

Grin

Correct answer:

Ridicule

Explanation:

The word "deride" means make fun of. The best choice is "ridicule," which means say things that make fun of someone or something 

Example Question #1229 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DIVULGE

Possible Answers:

Digest

Exchange

Speak

Reveal

Discuss

Correct answer:

Reveal

Explanation:

"Divulge" means reveal information that was previously secret. "Reveal" is the best answer because it implies that something which had not been previously shown is being exposed. 

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