ISEE Middle Level Verbal : ISEE Middle Level (grades 7-8) Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Middle Level Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #411 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

EUPHEMISM

Possible Answers:

Eloquence 

Circumlocution 

Temerity 

Jubilation 

Encroachment 

Correct answer:

Circumlocution 

Explanation:

A “euphemism” is a less offensive way of saying something; it requires careful avoidance of specifically stating a subject. This process can also be called “circumlocution,” which means talking around an issue. There are many relevant prefixes and suffixes at play here. The prefix "eu-" means meaning to do well. The prefix "circum-" means round and the suffix "-locution" means related to talking. To provide further help, “encroachment” means advancing into someone else’s space; “temerity” means audacity; “eloquence” is the ability to speak well; “jubilation” is great happiness

Example Question #412 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

APHASIA

Possible Answers:

Lack of work ethic

Lack of language skills

Lack of education

Lack of mathematical reasoning

Lack of people skills

Correct answer:

Lack of language skills

Explanation:

Someone who suffers from “aphasia” has a lack of language skills. The root word here is "phon," which refers to language; it has been changed over time into "pha-," but the meaning is unchanged. The prefix "a-" is a negation principle and gives the word it is added to the opposite meaning of the original word.

Example Question #413 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

POLYGON

Possible Answers:

Form

Many-sided shape

Confused

Popular

Lost

Correct answer:

Many-sided shape

Explanation:

The prefix "poly-" means many and the suffix "-gon" means related to a shape, so a “polygon” is a many-sided shape

Example Question #414 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

MONOPOLY

Possible Answers:

Exclusive control 

Suspicious

Hopeless

Inclusive

Anomalous

Correct answer:

Exclusive control 

Explanation:

The prefix "mono­-" means one. A “monopoly” is when one business has exclusive control over a product or market. To provide further help, “inclusive” means comprehensive, including everyone or everything; “anomalous” means irregular, unusual; “suspicious” means doubtful, deserving of distrust

Example Question #415 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

PSEUDONYM

Possible Answers:

Nickname 

Nominate 

Nihilist 

Novelty 

Neophyte 

Correct answer:

Nickname 

Explanation:

The prefix "pseudo-" means pretend or fake and "nym" (more commonly "nom") means related to names, so a “pseudonym” is a fake name or a “nickname.” To provide further help, a “novelty” is something new or different; a “neophyte” is a beginner; “nominate” means to name for a position; a “nihilist” is someone who rejects the idea that life has meaning.

Example Question #191 : Synonyms

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

HYPERBOLE

Possible Answers:

Disappointment

Overstatement

Underwhelming

Understatement

Overwhelming

Correct answer:

Overstatement

Explanation:

The prefix "hyper-" usually means super, excessive, or a lot of, so “hyperbole” is the literary device of dramatically overstating something. To provide further help, “overwhelming” means overpowering, too much, or extremely large, and “underwhelming” means too little or disappointing. Notice how the prefixes "hyper-" and "over-" are similar to one another, and opposites of the prefix "under-."

Example Question #192 : Synonyms

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

AMORPHOUS

Possible Answers:

Solidified

Converted

Aimless

Formless

Hopeless

Correct answer:

Formless

Explanation:

The word fragment "morph­" refers to form or shape,and the prefix "a-" means without,so “amorphous” means without form, or formless. To provide further help, “aimless” means without direction or purpose, and “hopeless” means without love. (Observe the meaning of the suffix "-less"—without.) "Converted" means changed from one thing to another; and "solidified" means having attained a solid shape or strengthened.

Example Question #193 : Synonyms

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

BIOLOGICAL

Possible Answers:

Math

Sleepy

Alive

Biology

Correct answer:

Alive

Explanation:

The word "biological" refers to living things. The best choice is "alive" as it is a part of the definition of "biological." Considering the other choices, "math" refers to mathematical operations, "biology" is a branch of science concerned with living creatures, and "sleepy" means exhausted or tired.

Example Question #194 : Synonyms

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

APATHETIC

Possible Answers:

Concerned

Indifferent

Understanding

Argumentative

Partial

Correct answer:

Indifferent

Explanation:

"Apathetic" is an adjective that means "showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "unconcerned." "Concerned" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "concerned" is an antonym of "unconcerned." "Indifferent," however, is an adjective that can mean "having no particular interest or sympathy; unconcerned," and because it is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "apathetic," "indifferent" is the correct answer.

Example Question #195 : Synonyms

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

ANTISOCIAL

Possible Answers:

Inconsiderate

Implacable

Parsimonious

Extraneous 

Outlying

Correct answer:

Inconsiderate

Explanation:

Someone who is “social” is good with people or enjoys talking to people. The prefix "anti­-" is a negation prefix; it causes the new word to have the opposite meaning to the original. So “antisocial” means not social or not considerate, which makes the correct answer “inconsiderate.” Someone who is “inconsiderate” is not kind or not able to think about other people’s feelings. The the prefix "in-" functions similarly to the prefix "anti-" and negates the meaning of the original word. To provide further help, “implacable” means merciless, unstoppable; “parsimonious” means not generous with money; “outlying” means remote or unusual; “extraneous” means not needed

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors