All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
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
Eloquence
Circumlocution
Temerity
Jubilation
Encroachment
Circumlocution
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
Lack of work ethic
Lack of language skills
Lack of education
Lack of mathematical reasoning
Lack of people skills
Lack of language skills
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
Form
Many-sided shape
Confused
Popular
Lost
Many-sided shape
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
Exclusive control
Suspicious
Hopeless
Inclusive
Anomalous
Exclusive control
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
Nickname
Nominate
Nihilist
Novelty
Neophyte
Nickname
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
Disappointment
Overstatement
Underwhelming
Understatement
Overwhelming
Overstatement
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
Solidified
Converted
Aimless
Formless
Hopeless
Formless
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
Math
Sleepy
Alive
Biology
Alive
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
Concerned
Indifferent
Understanding
Argumentative
Partial
Indifferent
"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
Inconsiderate
Implacable
Parsimonious
Extraneous
Outlying
Inconsiderate
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.
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor