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 #6 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Anglo Saxon

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

FOREBODE

Possible Answers:

Befriend

Collect

Gesticulate

Warn

Praise

Correct answer:

Warn

Explanation:

The Old English prefix fore- means before, in front of, coming before, as in "forecast" which is a prediction of future events. So, "forebode" means to warn of, to herald, to foreshadow. To provide additional help, "befriend" means to make friends with; "gesticulate" means gesture to, motion about, to use dramatic body movements to express an idea

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Anglo Saxon

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

BEDECK

Possible Answers:

Festoon 

Dispute 

Apprehend 

Puncture 

Inquire 

Correct answer:

Festoon 

Explanation:

The prefix "be-" means to make, to do and “bedeck” means to decorate, to make something look festive. This is close in meaning to “festoon.” To provide further help, “puncture” means pierce; “dispute” means argue against; “inquire” means ask after; “apprehend” means catch or arrest

Example Question #441 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

SURPASS

Possible Answers:

Regress

Exceed

Undermine

Summit

Neutralize

Correct answer:

Exceed

Explanation:

When someone "surpasses" something such as a world record in running, it means they "exceed" the previously set limit or expectation. The other answer chocies are as follows: to "summit" is to reach the peak; to "regress" is to go backwards; to "undermine" is to weaken; and to "neutralize" is to counteract.

Example Question #442 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

REDOUBTABLE

Possible Answers:

Clingy

Gross

Superlative

Pathetic

Daunting

Correct answer:

Daunting

Explanation:

“Redoubtable” is an adjective that means “formidable” when referring to a person, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “formidable.” That means that “pathetic” cannot be the correct answer, because “pathetic” means “arousing pity,” making it a near antonym, not a synonym, of “redoubtable.” “Daunting,” however, is an adjective that means “intimidating,” and because “daunting” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “redoubtable,” “daunting” is the correct answer.

Example Question #443 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

PESTICIDE

Possible Answers:

Insect killer

Rat tracker

Rat feeder

Insect feeder

Insect tracker

Correct answer:

Insect killer

Explanation:

The suffix "-cide" means related to killing and the prefix "pest-" means related to pests, such as insects or rats. In this instance, since there is no option for “rat killer” the correct answer is “insect killer.”

Example Question #444 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

FORMULATE

Possible Answers:

Express

Calculate

Understand

Create

Find

Correct answer:

Create

Explanation:

The answer choice closest in meaning to "formulate" is "create." For example, if you "formulate" a plan, it means that you create a plan.

Example Question #445 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

SEGREGATE

Possible Answers:

Keep forever 

Keep apart

Keep awake 

Keep from winning

Keep from moving 

Correct answer:

Keep apart

Explanation:

The prefix "se-" means apart or away, so “segregate” means keep apart

Example Question #446 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

LAUGHABLE

Possible Answers:

Whiny

Sensible

Prickly

Bold

Ridiculous

Correct answer:

Ridiculous

Explanation:

“Laughable” is an adjective that means “so ridiculous as to be amusing,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “ludicrous.” That means that “sensible” cannot be the correct answer, because “sensible” means “having good sense,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “laughable.” “Ridiculous,” however, is an adjective that means “absurd,” and because “ridiculous” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “laughable,” “ridiculous” is the correct answer.

Example Question #447 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

EQUITABLE

Possible Answers:

Fine

Uneven

Ceremonial

Fragile

Fair

Correct answer:

Fair

Explanation:

The prefix equi- means same or equal. A situation that is “equitable” is one that is the same for everyone, equal and fair. To provide further help, “fragile” means easily broken; “ceremonial” means done for reasons of tradition or ceremony.

Example Question #448 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

ABOMINABLE

Possible Answers:

Detestable

Passable

Participating

Sincere

Limited

Correct answer:

Detestable

Explanation:

"Abominable" is an adjective that can mean "causing moral revulsion" or "very bad or unpleasant." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "very bad." Because "detestable" means "deserving intense dislike," it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "abominable" and the correct answer.

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