All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #201 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
I got into a bit of a(n) __________ with this man who insulted my friend last night.
conspiracy
mediation
accord
harmony
altercation
altercation
If someone insults your friend it makes sense that you would get into an argument or disagreement with him or her. The correct answer then is "altercation." An "altercation" can be a physical confrontation or a verbal argument. To provide further help, "accord" and "harmony" are synonyms, both words mean agreement. Additionally, a "conspiracy" is an agreement between two or more parties to do work together to secretively further their goals; "mediation" is an intervention by a third party to try and resolve an argument between two other parties.
Example Question #202 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
In the nineteenth century European explorers trekked all over the African continent looking for __________ source of the Nile River.
elusive
gratifying
disorderly
lustrous
chastened
elusive
In this sentence you are told that the explorers "trekked all over" an entire continent looking for the source of the Nile River. Because the explorers had to search for so long, the source of the river must have been hard to find, or "elusive." "Elusive" means hard to find, hard to reach or understand. To provide further help, "lustrous" means shiny; "gratifying" means fulfilling, rewarding; "disorderly" means not in order, chaotic, unruly; "chastened" means humbled, subdued, restrained.
Example Question #203 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The storm was picking up around them and the people onboard were very fearful that the ship would __________.
elevate
smitten
economize
aggrandize
capsize
capsize
In a storm it is logical that people onboard a boat would be worried about the boat turning over in the water and possibly sinking. The correct answer then is "capsize" which means (of a ship) to turn over in the water. To provide further help, "smitten" means in love with; "economize" means make a decision that will save money; "aggrandize" means increase power, wealth, or status; "elevate" means rise up.
Example Question #204 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
She __________ denied any guilt, but no matter how forceful she was she could not convince the jury of her innocence.
emphatically
impeccably
ludicrously
creatively
notoriously
emphatically
The author of this sentence uses an adjective to describe how the lady defended herself and notes later in the sentence that "no matter how forceful she was . . . " therefore the correct answer must be a synonym of "forcefully." The correct answer then is "emphatically" which means forcefully, firmly. To provide further help, "ludicrously" done in a ridiculous fashion; "impeccably" means done perfectly, flawlessly; "notoriously" means infamously.
Example Question #205 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The Great Depression was a time of tremendous __________ in the United States, and indeed around the world.
hardship
opulence
jubilation
prosperity
splendor
hardship
The Great Depression was a very difficult time when many people suffered a great deal. To solve this problem you are looking for an answer choice that reflects this meaning. The correct answer is therefore "hardship," which means great suffering, poverty or pain. To provide further help, "jubilation" means happy celebration; "opulence" means great wealth; "splendor" means magnificence; "prosperity" means wealth and success.
Example Question #206 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
One look at the beautiful girl and the boy was __________, so he decided to ask her out.
timid
smitten
anxious
passive
docile
smitten
The girl is described as "beautiful" and the boy decides to ask her out on a date. It makes sense then that the boy was strongly attracted to and/or in love with the girl. The correct answer then is "smitten." To be "smitten" means to be deeply attracted to or in love with. To provide further help, "anxious" means worried; "timid" means shy; "docile" means harmless and obedient; "passive" means not aggressive, accepting and submissive.
Example Question #76 : Sentence Completions: Style, Intensity, And Connotation
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ was put down brutally by the forces of the autocratic government.
insurrection
community
competitor
antique
victor
insurrection
First of all "autocratic" means tyrannical, despotic, relating to a system of government in which one man or one agency has absolute power. Now, an autocratic government would be likely to put down a "rebellion" or a "revolution" in a brutal fashion, so the correct answer must mean something like this. The correct answer therefore is "insurrection," which means a rebellion, a violent uprising against the existing government. To provide further help, a "competitor" is someone participating in a competition; the "victor" is the winner; a "community" is a social group, a group of people; an "antique" is an old, valuable item.
Example Question #207 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
"Cheer up," she said, "the situation is nowhere near as __________ as you think it is."
garrulous
tender
obscene
dire
uptight
dire
The speaker is telling someone else to "cheer up" so it makes sense that the situation is not as bad as the other person thinks. The correct answer must therefore reflect a situation that is desperate, dreadful and alarming. So, the correct answer is "dire." To provide further help, "obscene" means vulgar, rude; "uptight" means overly anxious, someone who is "uptight" is someone who rigidly follows the rules and cannot relax; "garrulous" means talkative; "tender" means kind, soothing, and delicate.
Example Question #208 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
I found the dinner __________ and struggled not to be sick later that night.
nauseating
vigorous
unruly
discreet
petite
nauseating
If the speaker struggled not to be sick than it is likely he found his dinner sickening and disgusting. So, the correct answer is "nauseating" which means causing sickness, likely to make someone sick, disgusting. To provide further help, "petite" means very small; "discreet" means careful not to cause offense, secretive and cautious; "vigorous" means strong, forceful; "unruly" means chaotic, unable to be controlled.
Example Question #209 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
I felt incredibly __________ to meet my favorite author for the first time.
deranged
daunted
untidy
cagey
psychotic
daunted
It makes sense that one would feel "intimidated" upon meeting one's hero. Therefore the correct answer is "daunted." "Daunted" means intimidated, frightened of and anxious. To provide further help, "deranged" and "psychotic" both mean crazy, insane; "untidy" means not tidy, messy; "cagey" means shrewd, secretive, cautious, and wary.