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 #196 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EQUIVOCATE

Possible Answers:

precipitate

venerate

prevaricate

corroborate

imply

Correct answer:

prevaricate

Explanation:

"Equivocate" means to prevaricate or avoid an issue. "Venerate" means to revere or cherish. "Precipitate" means to expedite or hurry. "Imply" means to indicate or hint. "Corroborate" means to authenticate or confirm

Example Question #197 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PREVARICATE

Possible Answers:

breach

absolve

deceive

cadge

confront

Correct answer:

deceive

Explanation:

"Prevaricate" and "deceive" both mean to exaggerate or stretch the truth. "Confront" means to challenge or defy. "Absolve" means to free from responsbility. "Cadge" means to beg. "Breach" means to crack or rupture

Example Question #198 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INFER

Possible Answers:

abstain

truncate

disperse

zest

ascertain

Correct answer:

ascertain

Explanation:

"Infer" and "ascertain" both mean to conclude or deduce. "Abstain" means to hold back from doing something. "Disperse" means to distribute or scatter. "Truncate" means to shorten or abbreviate. "Zest" means to season or make flavorful.

Example Question #199 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ADVOCATE

Possible Answers:

promote

nullify

condemn

undermine

glean

Correct answer:

promote

Explanation:

"Accolade" and "promote" both mean to support. "Condemn" means to blame or convict. "Undermine" means to weaken or cripple. "Glean" means to pick out or collect. "Nulllify" means to cancel or revoke.

Example Question #200 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROPITIATE

Possible Answers:

summon

provoke

pulverize

conciliate

recant

Correct answer:

conciliate

Explanation:

"Propitiate" and "conciliate" both mean to appease or satisfy. "Provoke" means to make angry. "Pulverize" means to destroy or smash. "Recant" means to take back something said. "Summon" means to call to a place

Example Question #201 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ACQUIESCE

Possible Answers:

abdicate

dissuade

distend

concur

cajole

Correct answer:

concur

Explanation:

"Acquiesce" and "concur" both mean to agree or approve. "Dissaude" means to talk out of doing something. "Abdicate" means to give up a right, position, or power. "Cajole" means to attempt to coax or flatter. "Distend" means to bulge or swell

Example Question #202 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RENEGE

Possible Answers:

default

bemoan

redress

nettle

embezzle

Correct answer:

default

Explanation:

"Renege" and "default" both mean to go back on one's word. "Nettle" means to provoke or upset. "Bemoan" means to express sorrow. "Embezzle" means to steal money, often from an employer. "Redress" means to change or rectify

Example Question #203 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DESCRY

Possible Answers:

perceive

overlook

blandish

dissemble

cajole

Correct answer:

perceive

Explanation:

"Descry" and "perceive" both mean to discover or behold. "Overlook" means to disregard or neglect. "Blandish" means to flatter or cajole. "Cajole" means to attempt to coax or flatter. "Dissemble" means to disguise or pretend.

Example Question #204 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DIGRESS

Possible Answers:

Deviate

Inflame

Expunge

Evade

Compound

Correct answer:

Deviate

Explanation:

"Digress" means deviate or move off topic, so "deviate" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "digress": "compound" means make worse or to exacerbate; "evade" means avoid or escape; "expunge" means erase or get rid of; and "inflame" means enrage.

Example Question #205 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CONCUR

Possible Answers:

gesticulate

argue

embrace

nod

agree

Correct answer:

agree

Explanation:

Perhaps you have heard the word “concur” used in the very short expression, “I concur,” meaning, I agree. The word literally means to run with. The “con-” prefix means with and is found in many words such as “concord” and “constant.” The “-cur” portion of the word is derived from the Latin for to run, as is found in words like “current” and “incursion.” Those who “concur” can be said to “run with each other” in the sense of “having ideas in the same direction.” The meaning is perhaps a bit stretched, but it will help you to remember it!

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