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 #2311 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

His parents were away for the weekend so he just __________ on the couch and only moved to order a pizza.

Possible Answers:

succored

hypnotized

enrolled

vegetated

expedited

Correct answer:

vegetated

Explanation:

The context of this sentence describes a boy who does nothing but sit on the couch all weekend. To live in a lazy and inactive manner is to "vegetate." Additionally, "succor" means provide relief for; "enroll" means sign up for, join a group; "expedite" means accelerate the progress of; "hypnotize" means put to sleep.

Example Question #2312 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The family heirloom was __________ whilst they were away on vacation; they were very upset to find it missing.

Possible Answers:

befuddled

dwindled

pilfered

spliced

throttled

Correct answer:

pilfered

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence, which describes a missing "heirloom" (an important object passed down within a family), you are looking for a verb that means something like taken, stolen. So, the correct answer is "pilfered." To "pilfer" means to steal, to plunder. Additionally, "throttle" means strangle, choke; "befuddle" means confuse, bewilder; "splice" means join together; "dwindle" means reduce in amount, make smaller.

Example Question #2313 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

He __________ with discomfort as his mother talked to his teacher on the phone.

Possible Answers:

hurtled

venerated

effaced

squirmed

bustled

Correct answer:

squirmed

Explanation:

The subject of this sentence undertakes some action in an uncomfortable and nervous manner, so the correct answer is "squirmed." To "squirm" means to move or wriggle in a nervous manner. Additionally, "hurtle" means move forward at a rapid and chaotic pace; "bustle" means move about in a hurried, but organized manner; "efface" means erase, remove; "venerate" means deeply honor and respect someone.

Example Question #2314 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Our army was sent out to __________ the enemy's air base, so that we may use it for our own strategic purposes.

Possible Answers:

acclaim

falter

drench

commandeer

entice

Correct answer:

commandeer

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a verb that means something like seize, take control of (for military purposes). The correct answer is therefore "commandeer." Additionally, "drench" means make very wet; "falter" means experience a setback, lose momentum, hesitate; "entice" means tempt, lure; "acclaim" means widely praise.

Example Question #2315 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The workers were __________ for injuries suffered in the factory explosion.

Possible Answers:

compensated

deprived

adorned

resorted

usurped

Correct answer:

compensated

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a verb that means something like paid for injuries suffered, given money to make up for something suffered. Additionally, "deprived" means not allowed to have, taken from; "adorned" means decorated with; "usurp" means take over power from, seize authority; "resort" means turn to, (of a plan) fall back on.

Example Question #2316 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The nuns were __________ away from the world, up in the mountains, where they had peace to meditate and pray.

Possible Answers:

cloistered

dovetailed

retrieved

wafted

ransacked

Correct answer:

cloistered

Explanation:

This sentence describes a group of nuns who are kept far away from the world so they have peace and solitude. To hide away, keep hidden, seclude (especially in relation to religious devotion) is to "cloister." "Cloistered" means secluded, hidden. Additionally, "retrieve" means go get and bring back, fetch; "dovetail" means fit together perfectly; "ransack" means search through in a destructive and messy fashion; "waft" means to float through the air, as if caught on a light breeze.

Example Question #2317 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The whole country was shocked that the King had decided to __________ his throne and allow his son to assume control.

Possible Answers:

abdicate

vex

endorse

wail

indict

Correct answer:

abdicate

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a verb that means something like to give up power, to renounce, (of a ruler) to give up authority. The correct answer is therefore "abdicate." Additionally, "vex" means frustrate, irritate, anger, and confuse; "endorse" means offer public support for; "wail" means cry out in pain and suffering; "indict" means officially charge with committing a crime, formally accuse.

Example Question #2318 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

After much debate the senators finally agreed to __________ the treaty.

Possible Answers:

ratify

anchor

surmise

secede

atrophy

Correct answer:

ratify

Explanation:

To solve this problem you simply need to determine which of these verbs relates to a "treaty" (a formal agreement between two or more nations). The correct answer is "ratify," which means approve, sign into being. Additionally, "atrophy" means weaken, become weak through lack of use; "anchor" means fix in place; "secede" means leave (a union), formally withdraw from an organization; "surmise" means guess to be true, suppose something to be true.

Example Question #2319 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The prisoners were __________ in a very small cell and only given two meals a day.

Possible Answers:

bellowed

confined

conferred

meddled

disputed

Correct answer:

confined

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a verb that means something like imprisoned, held captive. So, the correct answer is "confined." Additionally, "bellow" means shout, yell; "conferred" means awarded, granted, given some title or reward; "dispute" means argue, disagree; "meddle" means interfere, get involved with something that is not your business.

Example Question #2320 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

They __________ all night to get the latest video game.

Possible Answers:

warbled

desisted

carped

interrogated

queued

Correct answer:

queued

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a verb that means something like waited in line for. So, the correct answer is "queued." Additionally, "carp" means complain; "warble" means sing (like a bird); "desist" means stop doing something; "interrogate" means question, asks questions as part of an investigation into a crime.

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