All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1811 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
I feel sorry for him that he has to suffer in __________ poverty, but I just don't have enough money to help.
tactful
abject
hospitable
attentive
lenient
abject
Based on the use of the words "suffer" and "poverty" you can determine that you are looking for an adjective that relates to suffering and feeling wretched, hopeless, and miserable. The correct answer is therefore "abject." Additionally, "lenient" means tolerant, not strict; "tactful" means polite, knowing the right thing to say; "hospitable" means welcoming; "attentive" means kind and considerate, paying attention to the needs of others.
Example Question #1812 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
His mother worried that he was not __________ enough to survive the ordeal.
bashful
loquacious
senile
robust
fervent
robust
To begin with an "ordeal" is a difficult set of circumstances, something to be suffered through. So, it makes sense that the mother would worry her son was not healthy and strong enough. The correct answer is therefore "robust." Additionally, "fervent" means passionate; "senile" means mentally weak due to old age; "bashful" means shy and easily embarrassed; "loquacious" means talkative.
Example Question #1813 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
I wish she would be less __________ of my concerns and actually listen to what I have to say.
rakish
dismissive
supple
reclusive
abstemious
dismissive
The speaker of this sentence clearly wants the subject of this sentence to listen to them and not ignore them. The correct answer is therefore "dismissive," which means showing that something is not worth one's time, implying something is unimportant and should be ignored. Additionally, "rakish" means charming, dashing; "supple" means bendy, flexible; "reclusive" means inclined towards avoiding people, liking being alone; "abstemious" means not self indulgent, not allowing oneself to indulge in one's desires, sober and moderate.
Example Question #1814 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The situation was exacerbated due to the junior worker's __________ handling of the problem.
apt
fortunate
genteel
inept
timely
inept
To begin with "exacerbated" means made more intense or, in this context, made worse. So, based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for an adjective that relates to not being skilled, doing something poorly. The correct answer is therefore "inept," which means lacking skill, incompetent, not capable. Additionally, "genteel" means polite and refined; "fortunate" means lucky; "apt" means appropriate, right for a certain situation; "timely" means happening at the right time.
Example Question #1815 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
She was confused by the teacher's explanation and asked him to provide a more __________ explanation.
opinionated
poised
lucid
incorrigible
meek
lucid
Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for an adjective that means something like clearly expressed, easily able to be understood, straightforward and clear. So, the correct answer is "lucid." Additionally, "meek" means shy, reserved, withdrawn; "incorrigible" means unable to be controlled; "opinionated" means having strong opinions and expressing them often; "poised" means showing calm and composure in a stressful situation.
Example Question #1816 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Using __________ tactics she is able to manipulate the audience.
opulent
frank
garrulous
devious
rambunctious
devious
Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for an adjective that relates to manipulation and means something like dishonest, deceitful, unethical. The correct answer is therefore "devious." Additionally, "frank" means honest; "rambunctious" means rowdy and boisterous, badly behaved and hard to control; "garrulous" means talkative; "opulent" means fancy, luxurious.
Example Question #1817 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
His __________ language greatly offended the guests.
recalcitrant
pejorative
comely
homely
eloquent
pejorative
Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for an adjective that describes language that could be offensive to people. The correct answer is therefore "pejorative," which means abusive and prejudiced. Additionally, "eloquent" means well spoken; "comely" means cute and attractive; "homely" means plain and unattractive, average looking; "recalcitrant" means stubborn, refusing to cooperate.
Example Question #1818 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Peter had a very __________ attitude, so many people loved being with him at parties and other social events.
amazing
talkative
tedious
gregarious
joyous
gregarious
The general idea in this sentence is that Peter is very sociable. Now, this could translate into being talkative or into being joyful, but if you have an option meaning "sociable" (or something close to that), it will be a better option. The word "gregarious" describes just such a person. A gregarious person is friendly and sociable. This option is the best among those provided.
Example Question #1819 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Francine was a very __________ person, quickly understanding almost any subject presented to her.
amazing
delightful
sharp
studious
scholarly
sharp
This sentence likely tempts you into choosing "scholarly" or "studious." Just because someone is scholarly or studious, he or she does not necessarily catch on to a topic quickly. The idea is that Francine is very intelligent. We use the word "sharp" to mean this. It is a metaphor—as though the person has a "piercing" intellect. Although it is metaphorical, it is one of the meanings of the word, so it is acceptable.
Example Question #1820 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The documents did not seem to be _____________, so the lawyer said that he would need to have other proof that Lawrence owned the house in the mountains.
signed
interesting
monotonous
valid
unique
valid
The only really tempting wrong option here should be "signed." Likely, an unsigned document would not be acceptable proof. We really do not have enough evidence that being unsigned is the issue here. There really is no particular clue about what is wrong, just that the documents are not acceptable. Thus, they are at least likely to be invalid—not holding any legal commitments or force. This is by far the best option among those offered here, and it closely relates to the fact that the lawyer was going to need more proof.
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