All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1451 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INHIBIT
Trap
Destroy
Inspire
Break
Hinder
Hinder
The word "inhibit" comes from Latin roots that mean to have or to hold. The word "habit" comes from this same root. A "habit" is something that we have or hold on to in our character. Also, the word "habit" refers to the clothing worn by monks in certain religious orders in the Catholic church. This comes from the Latin "habitus," meaning dress or attire (among many other meanings).
When we "inhibit" something, we prevent it from happening. For instance, you could say, "Being drunk inhibits a person's ability to drive or even to think clearly." Likewise, someone could say, "Being illogical inhibits a person's ability to argue in a convincing manner." Thus, the best option here is "hinder", which in general indicates an action that makes things difficult for someone. When we hinder a person's actions, we inhibit his or her actions.
Example Question #1452 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BOMBARD
Attack
Divide
Create
Assist
Prevail
Attack
"Bombard" is a verb synonymous with besiege, harass, or attack. One might "assist" someone with a bombardment, but the two are not close to synonymous, if you "bombard" a city you are destroying, not assisting it. A successful bombardment may help an army "prevail" in a battle or war, but it is not directly synonymous.
Example Question #1453 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
EXPLOIT
Take advantage of
Flatter
Accommodate
Discover
Extract
Take advantage of
"Exploit" is a verb meaning to take advantage of. For example: "The needs of our large machines and large appetites cause us to EXPLOIT our natural resources for material gain."
"Extract," when used a verb, refers to the action of removing something. To "discover" something is to find it. "Flatter" is a verb referring to the action of complimenting or praising someone.
Example Question #1454 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
KINDLE
Ignite
Elevate
Read
Douse
Obscure
Ignite
"Kindle" means to start a fire, or ignite, something. For example: "Jose knelt next to the fire pit, touching a match to the straw to kindle the blaze."
While you might "read" using a device named after this verb, this is not a direct synonym. "Dousing" something with gasoline is a good way to "ignite" it, but this is a tangential relation, not a synonym.
Example Question #1455 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TRACE
Query
Depict
Quash
Quell
Outline
Outline
To "trace" something means to copy something by drawing over its outlines. To provide further help, "depict" means draw, represent; "quash" means completely remove or eliminate; "quell" means put a stop to, particularly putting a stop to a rebellion; "query" means question something.
Example Question #1456 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SHIRK
Reprimand
Render
Manage
Avoid
Propose
Avoid
To "shirk" means to avoid, usually to avoid a responsibility or duty. To provide further help, "render" means give to; "reprimand" means yell at or punish; "propose" means suggest.
Example Question #1457 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FEUDING
Disliking
Questioning
Fighting
Forgetting
Disagreeing
Fighting
Whenever we "feud" with someone, we argue and are likely at "war" with him or her. In general, a "feud" is a fight against another party. Now, this can be a kind of disagreement, but the best option will be one that captures the sense of fighting. A "feud" is a fight, not merely a disagreement.
Example Question #1458 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LURK
Forge
Startle
Frighten
Hide
Avoid
Hide
Words like "lurk" are likely very familiar; however, to get such questions correct, it is helpful to think of expressions that you know. For instance, have you ever said, "It was lurking just under the surface of the water?" This means that the thing was hiding just under the water's surface. Sometimes, we also say that someone's ideas, plots, or emotions are "lurking" under the surface of his or her demeanor. In general, the idea of "lurking" is that of hiding.
Example Question #1459 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SNARE
Trap
Trace
Gaze
Harm
Wound
Trap
The word "snare" can be used either as a noun or as a verb. As a verb, it means to trap. As a noun, it just describes a kind of trap, in particular one for animals, though it could apply to any kind of trap.
Example Question #1460 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SUCCUMB
Rupture
Perish
Delay
Yield
Forge
Yield
Perhaps you have used the word "succumb" with regard to illness. You can say that someone "succumbs" to a disease that is infecting others. Also, we talk of "succumbing to temptation," meaning that we give in to the pressure of a temptation. To "yield" to something means to give in to it. When someone is driving, a "yield" sign means that you need to let the other cars have their way on the road. For instance, if you are turning on to a road, you need to "give in" to the other traffic. Hence, "yield" is a good synonym for "succumb."
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