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

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

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.

Possible Answers:

conspiracy 

mediation 

accord 

harmony 

altercation 

Correct answer:

altercation 

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

elusive

gratifying

disorderly

lustrous

chastened

Correct answer:

elusive

Explanation:

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 __________.

Possible Answers:

elevate 

smitten 

economize 

aggrandize 

capsize 

Correct answer:

capsize 

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

emphatically

impeccably

ludicrously

creatively

notoriously

Correct answer:

emphatically

Explanation:

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. 

Possible Answers:

hardship

opulence

jubilation

prosperity

splendor

Correct answer:

hardship

Explanation:

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. 

Possible Answers:

timid

smitten

anxious

passive

docile

Correct answer:

smitten

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

insurrection

community 

competitor

antique 

victor 

Correct answer:

insurrection

Explanation:

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."

Possible Answers:

garrulous 

tender

obscene 

dire

uptight 

Correct answer:

dire

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

nauseating 

vigorous 

unruly 

discreet 

petite 

Correct answer:

nauseating 

Explanation:

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. 

Possible Answers:

deranged 

daunted 

untidy 

cagey 

psychotic 

Correct answer:

daunted 

Explanation:

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

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors