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

A synonym of "malevolent" is __________.

Possible Answers:

malodorous

worrisome

tired

malingering

malicious

Correct answer:

malicious

Explanation:

"Malevolent" is an adjective that means "having or showing a wish to do evil to others," so we need to pick out a word that means something like "wanting to do evil to others." While three of the answer choices begin with the negative prefix "mal-," only "malicious," an adjective that means "characterized by malice; intending or intended to do harm," is close in meaning to "malevolent." Because "malicious" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "malevolent," "malicious" is the correct answer.

Example Question #292 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

CONGENIAL

Possible Answers:

Youthful

Amiable

Magical

Inherited

Correct answer:

Amiable

Explanation:

"Congenial" and "congenital" are etymologically related but have quite different meanings. "Congenital" means present from birth (if you chose "inherited," you were likely thinking of this word). "Congenial" means agreeable and pleasant to be around. Both words combine the roots "com-" (meaning together) and "-gen" (meaning birth), but they take these root combinations in different directions—"congenital" more literally relating to inborn qualities, and "congenial" relating to the kind of relationship "kindred spirits" might have.

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

IMMORAL

Possible Answers:

wicked

tenuous

deathless

eternal

Correct answer:

wicked

Explanation:

The word "immoral" is best recognized by looking at its parts: "im" + "moral." The "im-" is a prefix meaning not. Generally, this prefix is of the form "i-," though it often adds the consonant that starts the base word—as in "immoral." The word "moral" means either dealing with ethical matters or good, as in someone who is actually ethical. An "immoral" person is someone who lacks such good character and therefore might be called "wicked," which is the best option among those provided. Note: do not confuse "immoral" with "immortal," which means not able to die.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

MINUSCULE

Possible Answers:

Scientific

Small

Quantifiable

Unmotivated

Measured

Correct answer:

Small

Explanation:

Something that is "minuscule" is very small. Therefore, "small" is the correct answer.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

ABNORMAL

Possible Answers:

Fascinating

Antagonistic

Desired

Unusual

Hopeful

Correct answer:

Unusual

Explanation:

"Abnormal" means unusual or out of the ordinary. Therefore, "unusual" is the synonym.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

INCESSANT

Possible Answers:

Monetary

Impure

Clean

Continuous

Correct answer:

Continuous

Explanation:

The word "incessant" means continuing without interruption. The best choice is "continuing" because it is a part of the definition of "incessant." Considering the other choices, "monetary" means pertaining to money, "clean" means unstained, and "impure" means not pure or adulterated.

Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters.

INDELIBLE

Possible Answers:

Translucent

Opaque

Transitory

Permanent

Itinerant

Correct answer:

Permanent

Explanation:

“Indelible” means unable to be removed, permanent. To provide further guidance, "transitory" means not permanent or lasting; "translucent" means letting light through a little, as opposed to "opaque," which means an object that does not let any light pass through. Finally, "itinerant" means wandering, not fixed to one home or spot.

Example Question #25 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

ANTEDILUVIAN

Possible Answers:

poststructuralist

prologue

prehistoric

epilogue

postmodern

Correct answer:

prehistoric

Explanation:

As we have previously seen ante- means before, preceding, so the correct definition of “antediluvian” is  prehistoric, literally from the time before the biblical flood. To provide further help, “postmodern” and “poststructuralist” refer to a contemporary way of looking at art and human behavior that focuses on deconstruction and self-conscious examination; a “prologue” is the beginning chapter of a story; an “epilogue” comes after the story. Make observations about the various pronouns used here, pre-, post-, pro-, epi-, and see what you can determine about how they relate to their various definitions.

Example Question #26 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

POSTHUMOUS

Possible Answers:

after embarrassment

after death

after adolescence

after sickness

after birth

Correct answer:

after death

Explanation:

The prefix post- means after, and the word “posthumous” means after death. When an award is given to someone after they have died, we say that it is awarded “posthumously.”

Example Question #27 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

ULTRASONIC

Possible Answers:

High frequency 

High pressure 

High temperature

Low temperature

Low frequency

Correct answer:

High frequency 

Explanation:

The prefix "ultra-" usually means beyond or extreme, and indeed “ultrasonic” means operating at an extremely high frequency. To help you, “temperature” is the numerical measurement of how warm or cool it is; “frequency” is the measurement of wavelengths or how often something occurs; and “pressure” is the measurement of a certain amount of force applied over a certain area.

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