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 #61 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LASSITUDE

Possible Answers:

vigor

diligence

largess

legerdemain

lethargy

Correct answer:

lethargy

Explanation:

"Lassitude" and "lethargy" both mean apathy or fatigue. "Diligence" means perseverance in carrying out an action. "Vigor" means power or energy. "Largess" means generosity. "Legerdemain" means sleight of hand

Example Question #62 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EXIGENCY

Possible Answers:

boon

largess

hegemony

contingency

transient

Correct answer:

contingency

Explanation:

"Exigency" and "contingency" both mean difficulty or crisis. "Boon" means an advantage or blessing. "Hegemony" means dominion or authority. "Transient" means temporary or ephemeral. "Largess" means generosity or aid.

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

ATAVISM

Possible Answers:

rectitude

pariah

pathos

reversion

polemic

Correct answer:

reversion

Explanation:

"Atavism" and "reversion" both mean backsliding or regression. "Pariah" means social outcast. "Pathos" means deep sadness or emotion. "Polemic" means argument or spat. "Rectitude" means uprightness or decency.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

LIEN

Possible Answers:

whelp

suffragist

neologism

claim

consensus

Correct answer:

claim

Explanation:

"Lien" and "claim" both mean a claim on property. "Consensus" means general agreement or accord. "Suffragist" means a voter or citizen. "Neologism" means a new word. "Whelp" means a young animal, especially a mammal.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

COMMANDMENT

Possible Answers:

Order

Dearth

Compassion

Insomnia

Rebellion

Correct answer:

Order

Explanation:

"Commandment" is an official order usually by a government official. "Dearth" means lacking of something. "Compassion" means showing emotion and sympathy for another person. "Insomnia" means sleeplessness or inability to sleep. "Rebellion" means a revolt against a government or some other entity.

Example Question #24 : Synonyms

ENIGMA

Possible Answers:

Accreditation

Fatigue

Puzzle

Zealot

Herbivore

Correct answer:

Puzzle

Explanation:

"Enigma" means puzzle or something difficult to understand. "Accreditation" means providing credit or approval for an institution (usually a school). "Zealot" is a person who is passionate for something. "Fatigue" means exhausted and worn-out. "Herbivore" is an organism that eats only plants.

Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

FELICITY

Possible Answers:

Inconsistent

Bliss

Inactive

Frightful

Humid

Correct answer:

Bliss

Explanation:

"Felicity" means bliss or extreme happiness. "Inconsistent" means not constant or not the same throughout. "Frightful" means horrible or causing fear in people. "Humid" means that there is a lot of moisture in the air. "Inactive" means not moving or not involved with physical activity.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms

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

ALACRITY

Possible Answers:

Forceful

Disagreeable

Acidity

Willingness

Diligent

Correct answer:

Willingness

Explanation:

The word “alacrity” is related to the musical words “allegro” and “allegretto,” which indicate quickness or briskness of tempo. Strictly speaking, “alacrity” means pleasant, quick readiness (to do something). Among the provided options, the best answer is “willingness.”

Example Question #22 : Synonyms

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

ZENITH

Possible Answers:

Apex

Vulgarity

Zealot

Reconciliation

Cessation

Correct answer:

Apex

Explanation:

"Zenith" means apex or highest point, so "apex" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to highest point: "zealot" means fanatic or enthusiast; "reconciliation" means agreement or harmony reached after an argument or battle; "cessation" means ending or conclusion; and "vulgarity" means crassness or obscenity.

Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

METTLE

Possible Answers:

Nepotism

Nomad

Wont

Diffidence

Dauntlessness

Correct answer:

Dauntlessness

Explanation:

"Mettle" is a noun that means "courage; fortitude" or "the ability to cope well with difficulties; resilience." While "diffidence" might seem like a promising answer choice, it actually means "modesty or shyness resulting from a lack of self-confidence," so it's an antonym of "mettle," not a synonym. "Dauntlessness," on the other hand, means "fearlessness, intrepidness, boldness; the incapability of being discouraged or intimidated" and is the best answer choice of those listed.

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