All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2484 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PERSPICACIOUS
Factious
Gauche
Pretentious
Discerning
Alluring
Discerning
"Perspicacious" means discerning and astute, able to notice things that others would not. To provide further help, "factious" means causing disagreement; "gauche" means tacky and unrefined, lacking grace; "alluring" means attractive, appealing; "pretentious" means trying to impress others by exaggerating one's characteristics or by being fake and trendy.
Example Question #2485 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
RETICENT
Arduous
Confident
Assiduous
Withdrawn
Painstaking
Withdrawn
"Reticent" means shy, reserved, withdrawn. To provide further help, "arduous" and "painstaking" both describe a challenging or difficult task; "assiduous" means industrious, hard working.
Example Question #2486 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
COPIOUS
Simplistic
Abrasive
Plentiful
Meager
Derelict
Plentiful
“Copious” means plentiful or available in excess, so "plentiful" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “derelict” means falling apart, in bad condition; “abrasive” means rude and harsh; “simplistic” means not complicated or simple; and “meager” means of insufficient quantity.
Example Question #2487 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EPHEMERAL
Fragile
Charming
Fleeting
Perpetual
Customized
Fleeting
“Ephemeral” means impermanent, not lasting forever, temporary, or "fleeting." "Perpetual" means never-ending or incessant; "fragile" means easily broken; "customized" means personalized or adjusted to meet a particular need; and "charming" means having a pleasant personality or delightful in appearance.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives
Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.
ABORTIVE
contemptuous
premature
elegant
thwarted
thwarted
Abortive means failing to produce the intended result, or thwarted.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives
Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
LANGUID
speech
boundary
lazy
nuisance
hyper
lazy
"Languid" means slow or sluggish, so the best choice for this is lazy.
Example Question #2488 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
DELETERIOUS
undone
appropriate
beneficial
baneful
helpful
baneful
We are looking for a synonym of "deleterious," which means harmful. Both "helpful" and "beneficial" are the opposite of harmful, and "undone" is unrelated. "Baneful" means harmful.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives
Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
HEINOUS
dogmatic
effusive
diseased
pure
evil
evil
"Effusive" means to pour out emotions, and "dogmatic" means firmly holding beliefs. "Heinous" means evil, making "evil" the only possible answer choice.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
CAUSTIC
highfalutin
soothing
hapless
acerbic
fledgling
acerbic
"Caustic" and "acerbic" both mean burning or corrosive. "Soothing" means calming or pacifying. "Highfalutin" means pompous or arrogant. "Fledgling" means apprentice or newcomer. "Hapless" means unfortunate or unlucky.
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
SUBTLE
tutelary
nascent
understated
forthright
ignorant
understated
"Subtle" and "understated" both mean indirect or delicate. "Forthright" means straightforward or honest. "Ignorant" means unaware or unknowing. "Nascent" means budding or fledgling. "Tutelary" means protective or custodial.
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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
