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

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1981 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

Answer the following sample question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

ALACRITY

Possible Answers:

liveliness

consternation

parity

levity

respite

Correct answer:

liveliness

Explanation:

"Alacrity" means liveliness or alertness. "Consternation" means dismay or distress. "Respite" means a pause or suspension in activity. "Parity" means equality or balance. "Levity" means funniness or silliness

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

RENOWN

Possible Answers:

fame

recipient

improved

recollect

Correct answer:

fame

Explanation:

Related to the French word for "name," "renown" speaks of someone who has "made a name" for himself or herself—or fame.

Example Question #1982 : 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.

FALLACY

Possible Answers:

non-fiction

policy

deception

evidence

question

Correct answer:

deception

Explanation:

We are looking for a word that is close in meaning to a lie. The word that is closest in meaning to that is "deception."

Example Question #1983 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

Answer the following sample question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

VIRULENCE

Possible Answers:

disdain

precursor

pestilence

resentment

ailment

Correct answer:

resentment

Explanation:

"Virulence" means resentment or annoyance. "Ailment" means illness or affliction. "Pestilence" means epidemic or disease. "Precursor" means something that indicates outcome before an event occurs. "Disdain" means strong dislike or indifference

Example Question #1984 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

Answer the following sample question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

PENURY

Possible Answers:

fledgling

destitution

efficacy

philanthropy

precipice

Correct answer:

destitution

Explanation:

"Penury" means destitution or poverty"Precipice" means a cliff or steep drop. "Philanthropy" means charity or generosity. "Fledgling" means an apprentice or newcomer. "Efficacy" means efficiency or productivity

Example Question #1985 : 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.

CHAFF

Possible Answers:

enmity

refuse

barge

scrape

Correct answer:

refuse

Explanation:

A well-known idiom speaks of "separating the wheat from the chaff"—that is, separating out that which has value from that which is worthless. In a literal sense, "chaff" can describe the protective casing around a seed that is burned up once the seed has been removed. More commonly the word is used to describe anything that is useless and expendable. Be careful to to confuse "chaff" with "chafe" (damage by rubbing). Also keep in mind that "refuse" here is the noun (pronounced REF-yoos) that means garbage—not the more-familiar verb (pronounced ri-FYOOZ) that means to turn down an offer.

Example Question #1986 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters. 

ZEAL

Possible Answers:

leviathan

apathy

fervor

lethargy

tirade

Correct answer:

fervor

Explanation:

"Zeal" and "fervor" both mean enthusiasm or devotion. "Apathy" means an uncaring attitude or lack of interest. "Lethargy" means laziness or sluggishness. "Tirade" means abuse or outburst. "Leviathan" means colossus or behemoth.

Example Question #1987 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

REPROOF

Possible Answers:

guile

elegy

implication

turpitude

censure

Correct answer:

censure

Explanation:

"Reproof" and "censure" both mean blame or criticism. "Elegy" means dirge or lament. "Turpitude" means corruption or debauchery. "Implication" means association or suggestion. "Guile" means slyness or cleverness

Example Question #1988 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

PECCADILLO

Possible Answers:

impropriety

skepticism

transient

zenith

remedy

Correct answer:

impropriety

Explanation:

"Peccadillo" and "impropriety" both mean a small fault or misdemeanor. "Zenith" means the highest point or apex. "Transient" means something temporary or ephemeral. "Skepticism" means doubt or questioning. "Remedy" means a cure or solution

Example Question #1989 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

TIRADE

Possible Answers:

tangent

endorsement

transient

adulation

harangue

Correct answer:

harangue

Explanation:

"Tirade" and "harangue" both mean an angry outburst. "Adulation" means overenthusiastic praise. "Endorsement" means support or authorization. "Transient" means something temporary or fleeting. "Tangent" means something touching or related.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors