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 #48 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

BEMUSE

Possible Answers:

Perplex 

Morose 

Inspire 

Meander 

Amuse

Correct answer:

Perplex 

Explanation:

“Bemuse” means make confused, perplex, or bewilder. To provide further help, “meander” means move indirectly to one's destination, like a river, and “morose” means miserable and serious

Example Question #49 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

RESOLVED

Possible Answers:

Circled

Understood

Decided

Reversed

Explained

Correct answer:

Decided

Explanation:

"Resolve" has several meanings, one of which is to decide. For example, one might write, "After getting sick from eating too many cookies, Brad resolved to never eat cookies again." So, since "resolved" means decided, "decided" is the correct answer. 

Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

COMPILE

Possible Answers:

Disperse

Fetch

Collide

Inhabit

Organize

Correct answer:

Organize

Explanation:

"Compile" means collect into a volume or a list, so "organize" would be the best choice here. "Disperse," meaning scatter, has the opposite meaning.

Example Question #52 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

ENCAPSULATE

Possible Answers:

Tablet

Include

Organize

Medicine

Exclude

Correct answer:

Include

Explanation:

To "encapsulate" something means to surround it or include it. Think of a capsule of medicine; the capsule surrounds or includes the medicine inside it. So, "include" is the correct answer.

Example Question #53 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

OBSTRUCT

Possible Answers:

Assist 

Hinder 

Despicable 

Forfeit 

Astute 

Correct answer:

Hinder 

Explanation:

The prefix "ob-" means get in the way of or hinder, as in “obstruct” or “obstacle.” So, "hinder" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "obstruct": “assist” means help; “forfeit” means quit or surrender; “despicable” means evil or wicked; and “astute” means sharp or clever.

Example Question #54 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

SUPERIMPOSE

Possible Answers:

Interject

Overlay 

Mitigate 

Promote 

Declare 

Correct answer:

Overlay 

Explanation:

The prefix "super-" usually means better or best but can also mean over or on top, so the word “superimpose” means to put something on top of something else. The closest answer choice to this is “overlay.” To provide further help, “interject” means interrupt; “mitigate” means lessen, alleviate; “declare” means announce, say formally; “promote” means support.

Example Question #55 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

PERVADE

Possible Answers:

Demand better of 

Undermine 

Spread throughout 

Wishful thinking

Lose altogether

Correct answer:

Spread throughout 

Explanation:

The prefix per- means through, so the word “pervade” means to spread, or to have spread, throughout something. To provide further help, “undermine” means weaken

Example Question #56 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

REINFORCE

Possible Answers:

Establish

Hinder

Block

Strengthen

Influence

Correct answer:

Strengthen

Explanation:

In this question, the answer that makes the most sense is strengthen or support.  When you reinforce, you strengthen something.

Example Question #57 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

EXPEDITE

Possible Answers:

evacuate

flee

cancel

facilitate

Correct answer:

facilitate

Explanation:

To "expedite" literally means "to free the foot;" (you may recognize the "ped" root from words such as "pedicure"). It derives from the same roots as the noun, "expedition," though it has a different meaning. Given the etymology of "expedite," you might (logically) think that it means "to flee." A red flag arises, however, when you see the other option of "evacuate," which has a very similar sense to "flee." Sometimes you can use an observation like this to eliminate possibilities: two near-synonyms among your answer choices likely means that both are wrong. The true sense of the English word "expedite" is to make easier or facilitate: your "foot" is "freed" (metaphorically) from imPEDiments.

Example Question #58 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

EXCISE

Possible Answers:

Remove 

Create 

Prepare 

Invoke 

Edify 

Correct answer:

Remove 

Explanation:

The root "cis" means related to cutting and the prefix "ex-" means related to leaving or being sent away. So “excise” literally means to cut away, but also means “remove.” To provide further help, “prepare” means get ready; “create” means make; “edify” means build; “invoke” means call upon

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