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

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

EGOMANIA

Possible Answers:

Self-loathing

Self-obsession

Self-sacrifice

Self-serving

Self-interest

Correct answer:

Self-obsession

Explanation:

The Latin root "ego" means self, and the suffix "-mania" means excessive or madness, so “egomania” is excessive love of oneself, or “self-obsession.” “Self-loathing” is hating oneself; “self-interest” is what one wants, without caring about how others feel; “self-serving” means having concern for one’s own prosperity and interests above others; and “self-sacrifice” is the opposite of “self-serving” and “self-interest"; it means placing other people's needs and desires above one's own.

Example Question #196 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

FORMLESS

Possible Answers:

Gaseous

Opaque

Shapely

Amorphous

Inconsistent

Correct answer:

Amorphous

Explanation:

Stay as close as possible to the original word, for there are many tempting wrong answers. When something is "formless," it has no definite shape. This certainly is the case for "gaseous" things (since they are "gas like"). Also, "inconsistent" speech is lacking the general form that speech should have. That is, it lacks proper consistency. The word "amorphous" literally means without form. The word "morph" means take on a new form or shape. The prefix "a-" means without, as in "atypical," meaning not typical or without features that are typical.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Anglo Saxon

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

LOATHSOME

Possible Answers:

Brilliant

Joyful

Senile

Sleazy

Hateful

Correct answer:

Hateful

Explanation:

"Loathsome" means deserving of hatred or repulsive, so "hateful" is the correct answer, as "hateful" can mean deserving hatred. To help you, "senile" means physically and/or mentally weakened with age, someone who is "sleazy" is gross and immoral, and "joyful" means very happy.

Example Question #471 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

CHURLISH

Possible Answers:

Childish

Rude

Argumentative

Pampered

Solid

Correct answer:

Rude

Explanation:

"Churlish" means rude. The best choice is "rude" since it is a part of the definition of "churlish." Considering the other choices, "childish" means immature, "congealed" means changed into a solid state, and "fusty" means old-fashioned.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Anglo Saxon

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

SELFLESS

Possible Answers:

Accredited

Considerate

Frank

Appalling

Dominating

Correct answer:

Considerate

Explanation:

The suffix "-less" means lacking, so "selfless" means concerned with the needs of others and not selfish, making “considerate" the correct answer. “Appalling” means disgusting, horrendous, or dreadful; “dominating” means in control; “accredited” means officially recognized or given credit for; and “frank” means candid and honest.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Other Languages

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

SPECIFY

Possible Answers:

Suggest

Generalize

Fake

Recognize

Identify

Correct answer:

Identify

Explanation:

The word "specify" is related to the word "species." Although we use this in biology to discuss particular classes of animals, the word "species" has a broader definition that comes from its use in logic. When we talk about a general class of things, we call that its "genus." (We do this in biology as well.) The members of that general class are its "species." They are "specific" members—you can see how all of these words are related. When something is "specified," it is pointed out, or made specific and thus can be said to be "identified." This is the best option among those provided. Do not be tricked by "recognize," which is close in meaning to this but not exactly the same. Something can be recognized without being specifically identified.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Suffixes From Other Languages

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

NOTIFY

Possible Answers:

Provide

Bother

Rest

Inform

Instill

Correct answer:

Inform

Explanation:

"Notify" is a verb meaning inform or bring to the attention of, so the answer choice closest in meaning is "inform" a verb that means notify. Considering the other choices, none are close in meaning to "notify": "bother," when used as a verb, means annoy; "rest," when used as a verb, means relax and take a break in order to regain energy; and "provide" means give.

Example Question #472 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning

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

AQUEDUCT

Possible Answers:

Conduit 

Pool

Solubility

Transmission

Container

Correct answer:

Conduit 

Explanation:

The root "aqua" refers to water, and the suffix "-duct" refers to something that carries something else, so an “aqueduct” is a pipe that carries drinking water from a source to a population center. Another word for something that carries things from one place to another is a “conduit.” To provide further help, "solubility" is how well a substance dissolves in water or another solute, a "transmission" is the transferral of something from one place to another; a "container" is something used to store or hold something else; and a "pool" is a small artificial body of water used for recreational swimming.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

MEMENTO

Possible Answers:

Insistence

Reminder 

Heretical 

Rancorous 

Catchphrase 

Correct answer:

Reminder 

Explanation:

A "memento" is a souvenir or a reminder of past events, so "reminder" is the correct answer. To help you, a "catchphrase" is a repeated saying associated with an individual or a character, "rancorous" means unforgiving or angry, and "heretical" means dissenting from the popular or traditional opinion, unorthodox, or going against established religious ideas.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Roots From Latin

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

BENEDICTION

Possible Answers:

Dystopia

Blessing 

Euphemism 

Curse 

Utopia 

Correct answer:

Blessing 

Explanation:

A "benediction" is a blessing, so "blessing" is the correct answer. To provide further help, a "euphemism" is a word or phrase used in place of a rude or offensive term, a "utopia" is an ideal paradise, whereas a "dystopia" is a world in which everything has gone wrong and the opposite of a "utopia."

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