ISEE Upper Level Verbal : ISEE Upper Level (grades 9-12) Verbal Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Upper Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #66 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

IMPIOUS

Possible Answers:

Respectful

Meaningful

Sacrilegious

Welcoming

Pitiful

Correct answer:

Sacrilegious

Explanation:

"Impious" is an adjective that can mean either "not showing respect or reverence, especially for a god," or "wicked" when describing a person or act. So, "respectful" cannot be the correct answer because "respectful" is an antonym of "impious." "Sacrilegious," however, is an adjective that means "treating a holy place or object in a way that does not show proper respect," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "impious," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #67 : Synonyms: Prefixes

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

UNWAVERING

Possible Answers:

Beneficial

Restful

Comfortable

Standard

Resolute

Correct answer:

Resolute

Explanation:

When someone “wavers,” he or she moves from side to side, as when something vibrates or wavers in the wind. This term could be applied merely to someone’s walking, but it is often used to describe personal attitudes. If a person, for instance, “Wavers in courage,” he or she is not completely courageous but sometimes loses this disposition, then to regain it, only again to lose it, and so forth. If someone is “unwavering,” that person does not alter in this way and is fixed to some goal. “Unwavering courage” would be bravery in all things, without hesitation or doubt. To be resolute is to be certain and fixed in one’s choices, as when one makes a resolution.

Example Question #51 : Synonyms

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

PRESAGE

Possible Answers:

Adorable

Foreshadow

Wise

Precocious

Prodigious

Correct answer:

Foreshadow

Explanation:

When used as a verb, the word “presage” means to be a sign of a future event, often implying that this is a sign of warning. The word comes from the prefix “pre-”, meaning before, and the base “sage,” which does not merely mean wise, but to perceive keenly. Someone who is “sagacious” is wise precisely because that person keenly perceives reality. The word would be used in a sentence like, “In many cultures, the flying of a crow over a barn presaged a poor harvest in the coming year.”

Example Question #111 : Synonyms

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

MISNOMER

Possible Answers:

aberration

certitude

husbandry

grotto

nexus

Correct answer:

aberration

Explanation:

"Misnomer" and "aberration" both mean an error or misjudgment. "Certitude" means sureness or certainty. "Nexus" means the center or core. "Husbandry" means farming or agriculture. "Grotto" means a cave or cavern

Example Question #112 : Synonyms

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

BENEDICTION

Possible Answers:

Guise

Blessing

Antithesis

Sanctuary

Diatribe

Correct answer:

Blessing

Explanation:

The prefix ben- means good, virtuous in Latin. Also the root -dict- means to do with speaking. So a "benediction" is a spoken blessing. To provide further help, a "sanctuary" is a safe place; "antithesis" means opposite; a "guise" is a disguise, something to hide one's identity; a "diatribe" is a verbal or written attack

Example Question #1821 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

CEREBRATE

Possible Answers:

Reason

Protest

Disguise

Outlaw

Ignore

Correct answer:

Reason

Explanation:

In Latin the prefix cereb- means related to the brain. So, to "cerebrate" means to think, to reason, to think carefully and logically. "Cereb-" is an extremely strong push toward this question being focused on the brain or thinking, and "reason" was the only option that had anything to do with mental processes.

Example Question #1822 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

CLAMOR

Possible Answers:

Outline

Disagree

Yell

Agree

Whisper

Correct answer:

Yell

Explanation:

The prefix clam- means shout, speak out about. So the word "clamor" means to yell, to speak out passionately about. "Clamor" has nothing to do with agreeing or disagreeing, and "whisper" is an antonym to "clamor."

Example Question #1823 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

DIGRESSION

Possible Answers:

Ambition

Reluctance

Departure

Acceptance

Delight

Correct answer:

Departure

Explanation:

The Latin prefix di- means away, apart, opposite, as in "disappear" which means vanish, away from sight. So, a "digression" is a departure from the main point, something apart from the thesis. Additionally, "reluctance" is the state of not wanting to do something; "delight" is happiness, joy; "ambition" is a passionate desire to achieve success

Example Question #116 : Synonyms

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

CLAMOR

Possible Answers:

Narrate

Whisper

Declare

Shout

Forgive

Correct answer:

Shout

Explanation:

The Latin prefix clam- means shout, yell, as in "proclaim" which means announce, speak about publicly. So, "clamor" means to shout and yell for something

Example Question #117 : Synonyms

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

PREAMBLE

Possible Answers:

Conclusion

Introduction

Glossary

Index

Thesis

Correct answer:

Introduction

Explanation:

The Latin prefix pre- means before, as in "prediction" or "prevent." So, a "preamble" is the introduction to a written work. "Conclusion" is an antonym "introduction" and "preamble." The rest of the terms are academic terms, or sections of a book but are not directly related to "preamble."

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