All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2221 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The child attempted to __________ the pony, but ended up falling to the ground.
dovetail
shun
infuse
pilfer
dismount
dismount
If the child ended up falling to the ground it makes sense that they were trying to either get on, ride, or get off the pony. The correct answer is therefore "dismount" which means get off of, get down from. Additionally, "dovetail" means fit together perfectly; "pilfer" means steal from, plunder; "shun" means ignore, banish; "infuse" means fill with, put into.
Example Question #2222 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The king's brother attempted to __________ his throne whilst the king was away at war.
goad
masticate
succor
usurp
vex
usurp
To solve this problem you need to determine which of these is an action the king's brother might take with regard to the throne. The correct answer is "usurp" which means take control of, take power from. Additionally, "goad" means encourage, 'egg on'; "succor" means provide relief for; "masticate" means chew; "vex" means confuse and annoy.
Example Question #2223 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The puppy was very disobedient and needed to be __________ in order to live with the young family.
endured
compensated
disciplined
originated
maligned
disciplined
Based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for a verb that relates to training through punishment. The correct answer is "disciplined." Additionally, to "endure" means to put up with, to tolerate; "malign" means criticize; "originate" means come from, begin; "compensated" means paid for some work or suffering.
Example Question #2224 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
They tried to __________ his reputation by lying about him to his friends.
resort
breach
sully
diffuse
ingratiate
sully
Based on the context of this sentence, which describes people lying about someone, it makes sense that the correct answer is a verb that means to ruin, to spoil, to damage the integrity of. The correct answer is therefore "sully." Additionally, "diffuse" means spread out from a central point; "breach" means pass through a barrier, overcome a fortress; "resort" means turn to; "ingratiate" means make oneself fit in within a new group.
Example Question #2225 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The citizens did not __________ the warning and many were injured during the storm.
adjust
embellish
meddle
penalize
heed
heed
Based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for a verb that means pay attention to, or "heed." To "heed" means to listen to a warning or advice. Additionally, "penalize" means punish for some wrongdoing; "embellish" means add detail to, decorate, exaggerate; "meddle" means interfere with; "adjust" means alter, change.
Example Question #2231 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Eventually the board had to __________ to the demands of the protestors.
acquiesce
ransack
acclaim
entice
devastate
acquiesce
Which of these verbs describes something a group might do in response to the protests of another group? The correct answer is "acquiesce" which means give in to the demands of, accept the conditions of. Additionally, "acclaim" means widely praise; "devastate" means completely destroy; "entice" means tempt, lure and trap; "ransack" means search wildly, destroy in a chaotic manner.
Example Question #2232 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The ship was __________ in the secluded harbor.
squandered
venerated
confounded
anchored
admonished
anchored
To begin with "secluded" means private, away from others, protected. So, which of these is a verb that describes fixing a boat in one place? The correct answer is "anchored." To "anchor" means to fix in place. Additionally, "squander" means waste; "venerate" means deeply respect; "admonish" means scold, punish, yell at; "confound" means confuse, bewilder.
Example Question #2233 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The two officials __________ briefly before making a joint decision.
dissuaded
proliferated
conferred
infused
quelled
conferred
The officials made a "joint" decision, so they must have talked about a decision together or "conferred." To "confer" either means to give a distinction to or to discuss opinions about. Additionally, "infuse" means inject with, fill with, put into; "dissuade" means convince someone to change their mind; "quell" means subdue, bring to an end, put down; "proliferate" means spread wildly.
Example Question #2234 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
She has had to __________ several challenges to achieve success.
bellow
pilfer
dismount
surmount
heed
surmount
Based on the context of this sentence you know that the correct answer must be a verb that relates to overcoming difficulties, getting past obstacles. The correct answer is therefore "surmount." To "surmount" means to overcome something challenging in order to achieve something. Additionally, "heed" means pay attention to, listen to a warning; "bellow" means shout, yell; "dismount" means get down from; "pilfer" means steal.
Example Question #2235 : Isee Middle Level (Grades 7 8) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The rural boys were __________ by the wholesome food they were given and grew up to be robust and muscular.
vegetated
stifled
endorsed
nourished
squandered
nourished
The verb used in this sentence must relate to the beneficial effects of eating healthy food. The correct answer is therefore "nourished." To "nourish" is to provide energy, in the form of food. Additionally, "squander" means waste; "endorse" means publicly support; "vegetate" means live a dull, lazy life; "stifle" means hold back, prevent from doing.
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