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 #19 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

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

BURIED

Possible Answers:

Departed

Concealed

Dead

Descended

Deteriorated

Correct answer:

Concealed

Explanation:

We tend to think of being "buried" in terms of physical burial. Whenever someone dies, his or her body is buried in the ground. This means that it is placed under the soil. It is this general sense of "placing under" that is the root of the meaning being used here. Whenever someone "buries" his or her feelings, that person hides them—sometimes even from himself or herself. Hence, the word "buried" could have "concealed" for one of its synonyms, as it does in this question.

Example Question #20 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

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

SLEEK

Possible Answers:

Regal

Stylish

Unblemished

Industrious

Wealthy

Correct answer:

Stylish

Explanation:

When something is "sleek," it is very clean and smooth. It is often used to describe the kind of smooth hair that a person or animal can have when we say that it is "slicked back"; however, this kind of clean and smooth appearance can also indicate that something is "in style" or at least elegant (as opposed to something that is a total mess). This is the way "sleek" is being used in this question, for the only acceptable option is "stylish."

Example Question #251 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

CONVEY

Possible Answers:

Reveal

Rank

Intend

Classify

Indict

Correct answer:

Reveal

Explanation:

The word "convey" is interestingly related to the word "convoy," which describes a group of vehicles that travel together. The word "convey" most generally is used to express the idea of carrying or transporting something; however, it can also be used in an extended sense meaning to communicate—as though words can "transport" meanings from one person to the next. It is in this latter sense that the word is used here, for the only acceptable option among those provided is "reveal." When we ask, "Did you convey the meaning to Bob," we could translate this as, "Did you communicate the meaning to Bob," or as, "Was the meaning revealed to Bob?"

Example Question #252 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

PLOT

Possible Answers:

Narrator

Indication

Antagonist

Parcel

Protagonist

Correct answer:

Parcel

Explanation:

There are two senses of the word "plot," and you must not confuse them when answering this question. On the one hand, "plot" can indicate the storyline of a book, play, movie, or other type of media. Several of the options are concerned with stories—"antagonist," "narrator," and "protagonist"; however, none of these words are synonyms for "plot" in this sense.

On the other hand, "plot" can be used to describe a piece of land, as when we say, "He bought a plot of land in the wilderness." This means that the person bought a bit of land out in the woods. Although "parcel" can describe a package, it can also be used as a synonym for a piece of land. It is in this sense that it is being used in this question.

Example Question #253 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

PLOT

Possible Answers:

Angle

Award

Discussion

Shot

Scenario

Correct answer:

Scenario

Explanation:

The word "plot" has several meanings. One main cluster of meanings has to do with areas of land—as when someone lives on a "plot of land." This, however, is clearly not the meaning intended among the options provided here. Instead, the options hint at another primary meaning to the word, namely, the storyline of a play or other drama. A scenario is a sequence of events—how they happen one after another. Often, the word can be used to describe a plot of a story as well (since stories are, in fact, sequences of events). Therefore, it provides an excellent synonym for "plot" as it is used in this question.

Example Question #254 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

CRUDE

Possible Answers:

Normal

Dusty

Ordinary

Simple

Unintelligent

Correct answer:

Simple

Explanation:

The word "crude" can be used to describe someone or something  that is not refined or developed. Thus, when we call a person "crude," we generally mean that the person is crass or rude. The word can be used to describe things like tools that are just simple and undeveloped. Thus, we can say that a stone that is tied to a stick is a kind of crude hammer. It is a very simple hammer—not quite as complex and developed as the modern hammers you would buy at the store!

Example Question #255 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

ASSEMBLE

Possible Answers:

Make

Benefit

Compute

Question

Vend

Correct answer:

Make

Explanation:

“Assemble” can mean put together from parts or come together as a group, so "make" is the correct answer. “Benefit” means provide help to; “vend” means sell; and “compute” means calculate.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

A synonym of "maroon" is __________.

Possible Answers:

rescue

waver

pardon

strand

maintain

Correct answer:

strand

Explanation:

"Maroon" is a verb that means "leave someone trapped and isolated in an inaccessible place, especially an island." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "abandon." "Rescue," then, cannot be the correct answer because "rescue" is an antonym of "maroon." "Strand," however, when used as a verb, means either "drive or leave a boat, sailor, or sea creature aground on a shore," or "leave someone without the means to move from somewhere." Because "strand" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "maroon," "strand" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

ANCHOR

Possible Answers:

follow

imitate

secure

lengthen

change

Correct answer:

secure

Explanation:

"Anchor" means to secure firmly in position.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

EXTRACT

Possible Answers:

remove

write

push

edit

Correct answer:

remove

Explanation:

The word "extract" literally means pull out. The prefix "ex-" should be familiar, for it is used in words like "exit" (go out) and "exhume" (dig a body out of the ground). The "-tract" portion comes from the Latin for to pull. It is related to the word "tractor"—a farm vehicle that pulls large machinery. Therefore, to "extract" means pull out. Among the options provided, "remove" is the best synonym for "extract." Sometimes, we use the word "extract" to describe how someone can "pull out" a selection of text from a larger work. This smaller section is "extracted" and is sometimes called an "extract." However, do not be fooled into thinking that "write" or "edit" mean the same thing as such textual extraction!

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