ISEE Upper Level Verbal : ISEE Upper Level (grades 9-12) Verbal Reasoning
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Example Questions
Example Question #889 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Having traveled to many nations, the journalist had a(n) __________ writing style.
facetious
eclectic
jubilant
innocuous
auspicious
eclectic
The key phrase is “having traveled to many nations.” The word “eclectic” means embracing various or different sources.
Example Question #890 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The ________ manner in which she gave to charity annoyed her more generous friends.
unlimited
parsimonious
inexorable
ebullient
generous
parsimonious
A simple word replacement helps figure out the answer to this question. As the “more generous friends” are annoyed by the subject’s manner, then go through word by word for all the answer choices. "Parsimonious," which means stingy and tight with money, is the only choice that works.
Example Question #1171 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The rain clouds overhead were __________, as all of the crops in Kansas were dry and dying.
considerate
ephemeral
sedulous
menacing
auspicious
auspicious
The correct answer here is "auspicious" because the rain clouds were a symbol of something good to come, as they would nourish and save the crops. The rain clouds may have been short-lived ("ephemeral"), but that would not benefit the crops; the rain clouds certainly were not thorough and studious ("sedulous"), and they may have appeared "menacing," but again, their menacing appearance would have no impact on the dry nature of the crops.
Example Question #1172 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
It was difficult to identify the __________ thief in the line-up; she did not have any distinguishing characteristics.
singular
nondescript
unique
incomparable
mesmerizing
nondescript
"Nondescript" means lacking distinguishing characteristics. A thief without traits that set her apart would be difficult to identify in a line-up.
Example Question #1173 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
He considered himself quite the ladies' man, but most of the women he met found his personality __________.
sensuous
pleasant
agreeable
adroit
noxious
noxious
The structure of the sentence is a good clue that most women's perception of the man are at odds with his own sense of himself as a ladies' man. The correct answer choice is one that indicates some level of offensiveness in his personality. "Noxious," meaning offensive or even poisonous, is the only choice that has any sense of negativity.
Example Question #1174 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The students looked at one another in a state of confusion, as the teacher's homework instructions were rather vague and __________.
acquiescent
relinquished
ornary
obscure
obtuse
obscure
Obscure is the only word that is a synonym of "vague."
Example Question #1175 : Sentence Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
As the director lowered his arms, all one hundred of the Christmas carolers __________ began to sing a lively version of a popular carol in unison.
tumultuously
simultaneously
intermittenly
callously
frigidly
simultaneously
Only simultaneously means "in unison" or occurring at the same time.
Example Question #1176 : Sentence Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The burglar must not have been too __________ leaving the scene of the crime; three different neighbors saw him exit the corner house with stolen goods in his arms.
cogent
overt
surreptitious
audacious
irreverent
surreptitious
"Surreptitious" means secretive. Since the burglar was seen by various people, he could not have been too surreptitious.
Example Question #1177 : Sentence Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Jaded and __________, the aspiring young journalist decided to abandon his dream career due to the scarcity of writing jobs.
agile
relentless
corpulent
despondent
inarticulate
despondent
"Despondent" means lacking hope. Since the journalist opted to abandon his dream job, he must have been despondent.
Example Question #1178 : Sentence Completion
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Annette was enthused about pawning what she thought was a solid gold ring, but after some examination, her sister informed her that it was merely a __________ piece of jewelry.
admonished
ubiquitous
harangue
mysterious
gilded
gilded
A gilded piece of jewelry is superficially covered with gold but not gold throughout.
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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
