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 #5 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

SENSIBLE

Possible Answers:

Intelligent

Balanced

Olfactory

Tangible

Legal

Correct answer:

Balanced

Explanation:

Here, you must be careful not to use the word "sensible" as though it means able to be sensed. In that meaning, you would be referring to something related to one of the five senses—taste, touch, smell, etc. Two of the options try to trick you in this way—"tangible" and "olfactory;" however, these indicate individual sensible things but are not even acceptable synonyms for "sensible" in general in the way mentioned above.

Instead, we also use "sensible" to mean practical or showing common sense. Think of when we might say, "It was a sensible decision to come in during the storm, for otherwise, Johann might have been struck by lightning." Likewise, we could say, "Wilhelm was always quite sensible, refusing to express grand reflections on the meaning of all things." Thus, something that is "sensible" is "balanced" and not extreme.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

DULL

Possible Answers:

Standard

Boring

Overweight

Flatware

Regular

Correct answer:

Boring

Explanation:

Physically speaking, the word "dull" is contrasted to something that is pointed or sharp. From this meaning, the word can take on various other meanings. For instance, it can mean stupid—as though someone is not "sharp" enough to penetrate into some topic. Likewise, it can mean boring, as though something is not very "piercing" and interesting. This is the way that the word is being presented here among the options provided. For example, think of how we can say, "That was a dull class." This means that the class was boring and uninteresting.

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

BLUNT

Possible Answers:

Honest

Sharpened

Local

Fraying

Nasty

Correct answer:

Honest

Explanation:

The word "blunt" is a kind of antonym for "sharp." Whenever something is "blunt," it is flat—like a blunt club used for hitting other people. The word can be used to describe physical objects, but it also is able to describe personality traits. A "blunt" person is someone whose words can "hit you like a flat board of wood." Such a person is honest—so honest that he or she doesn't "hold anything back."

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

SETTLED

Possible Answers:

Visited

Detailed

Expected

Excellent

Determined

Correct answer:

Determined

Explanation:

You certainly know the "physical" and literal meaning of "settling." Whenever you "settle" into a location, you start to inhabit that place. Thus, "settlers" are new inhabitants or colonists. Whenever someone is said to "settle" on an opinion, he or she decides to have one or the other opinion on a matter. A person who is of "settled" opinion is someone who has a determined and decided opinion on the matter. Hence, "determined" is an acceptable synonym for this question.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

REMOTE

Possible Answers:

Return

Detached

Linear

Electronic

Spatial

Correct answer:

Detached

Explanation:

Whenever something is "remote," it exists at a distance. Thus, a "remote" star is a star that is far away, and a "remote control" is a kind of device that we use to control something at a particular distance. A person can be described as being "remote" as well. Such a person has an attitude that makes him or her seem distant. He or she could also be described as being "detached" or aloof.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

SLEEK

Possible Answers:

Random

Fatty

Uncorrupted

Oily

Elegant

Correct answer:

Elegant

Explanation:

When something is "sleek," it is smooth. We do use the adjective to describe things like "sleek hair", often implying that it has a kind of oiled, smooth look. The primary meaning of "sleek" is smooth. Now, this meaning can then be extended to mean elegant or graceful—like smooth lines that are well drawn. This is the only option that works for this question.

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

RIGID

Possible Answers:

Constructed

Mounted

Useful

Unchangeable

Pliable

Correct answer:

Unchangeable

Explanation:

Whenever something is "rigid," it is unbending. A rigid piece of wood is one that is very stiff. We use the word also to describe someone's habits. A person of "rigid" habits is a person who does not change his or her ways of acting. This is the sense in which the word is being used here. None of the other options match the notion of being rigid except for "unchangeable." 

Example Question #241 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

RADIANT

Possible Answers:

Intricate

Jubilant

Plain

Seasonal

Animated

Correct answer:

Jubilant

Explanation:

The word "radiant" comes from Latin roots meaning to shine or (more obviously) to put out rays. Hence, we speak of the sun as being "radiant" because it shines out "light rays." Likewise, we talk about "radiant heating" because the source of heat puts out infrared rays (or "heat rays"). This word can also be used to describe someone who is very happy, as when we say, "Thomas was radiant when he was told that he won the award." This is the meaning for this question, and "jubilant" is a good synonym, as it means full of joy. Think of it like someone shining with "joy rays"!

Example Question #242 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

CIRCULATE

Possible Answers:

Placate

Embody

Seep

Communicate

Bleed

Correct answer:

Communicate

Explanation:

You are likely most familiar with the word "circulate" from its use in biology or anatomy. Blood circulates in the body, meaning that it "goes around" through the whole body. As the word clearly indicates, it makes the "complete circuit" or the "full circle" of the body.

However, things like news can be said to circulate as well. By this, we mean that the news "gets out." Whenever a rumor circulates, it is told to many people. Hence, the word "circulate" can have "communicate" as a synonym. Do not be tricked by the options that seem to be related to anatomy as well as blood—such as "embodied," "bleed," and "seep." None of these words are directly about the actual movement of things, as is indicated by the word "circulate."

Example Question #243 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

CEMENT

Possible Answers:

Pave

Build

Position

Crumble

Establish

Correct answer:

Establish

Explanation:

The word "cement" is most familiar when it is used to describe the kind of hard material that we often see in sidewalks and as a general building material; however, the word generally indicates the process or material that helps something to "stay in place." Hence, as a verb, you can even use the word "cement" to describe something like a business agreement or a relationship. Multiple people can get together to put together an agreement. When it is "cemented," it has been firmly established. You can think of it like being "rock-hard" like the building material with which you are likely familiar.

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