All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2431 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRUDISH
Honorable
Censorious
Moral
Boring
Respectful
Censorious
A prude is someone who is easily offended about sexual morality, often being judgmental of others. By extension, the term can generally mean “judgmental.” When someone is “censorious,” he or she is very critical—like one who censors the actions of others.
Example Question #2432 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PAROCHIAL
Educational
Illiberal
Dying
Ecclesiastical
School
Illiberal
The word “parochial” is related to statutes in the law of the Catholic Church defining the geographic boundaries in which a parish church exists. The word became extended in meaning to signify the character of someone that someone never leaves that small area. If someone becomes limited in travel, that person will likely also be limited in his or her exposure to new ideas. For that reason, the word “parochial” has taken on the additional meaning of “narrow or limited in outlook.” Illiberal can mean “uncultured” in the sense of being “not free-thinking or broad minded.”
Example Question #2433 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VITRIOLIC
Glassy
Spiteful
Unhappy
Analytical
Evaluative
Spiteful
The adjective “vitriolic” describes a kind of speech that is critical not in there merely “evaluative” sense but instead in a nasty and spiteful manner. An example use of the word would be, “She did not merely speak mild words to her adversary but instead, in great anger, shouted vitriolic condemnations against him.”
Example Question #2431 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
THRIFTY
Poor
Frugal
Greedy
Generous
Destitute
Frugal
A thrifty person is very careful not to waste resources. While it might be tempting to assume that such a person is greedy or avaricious, the word only expresses the fact that he or she “pinches pennies,” that is, is very careful with any outlays. Note that someone can be “thrifty” with any resources, though the term is most often used to describe care with regard to money. The word “frugal” is the only option that expresses this notion of thrift.
Example Question #2432 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FRUGAL
Prolific
Thrifty
Amiable
Miserly
Fecund
Thrifty
The word “frugal” is related to base words in Latin for “fruit.” It means “being economical” or careful with resources. When someone is “thrifty,” he or she is careful in spending money. A “thrift store” is generally a second-hand store meant to allow people to save money on products that can be purchased at a lower-than-normal price because they are second hand.
Example Question #2433 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
STAUNCH
Faithful
Forgetful
Arrogant
Fanatic
Pompous
Faithful
The word “staunch” has two meanings. One of them is “faithful” or “devoted.” This is the sense that is found here among the options provided. You might often hear the expression “staunch supporter.” Such a person is not an occasional supporter but instead is one that stands with whatever the cause / person is “come thick or thin.” The word can also mean “to stop the blood coming from a wound.”
Example Question #2434 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BELLIGERENT
Condescending
Aggressive
Passive
Amiable
Stubborn
Aggressive
Typically, someone who is hostile and aggressive is characterized as belligerent.
Example Question #2435 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IRASCIBLE
Cantankerous
Opaque
Mirthful
Tenacious
Wary
Cantankerous
"Irascible" means cantankerous or crabby. "Tenacious" means strong-willed or determined. "Wary" means careful or cautious. "Opaque" means clouded, muddy, or hard to understand. "Mirthful" means merry or playful.
Example Question #2436 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SACCHARINE
Munificent
Cloying
Frigid
Abashed
Mundane
Cloying
"Saccharine" means something cloying or sickeningly sweet. "Munificent" means generous or giving. "Abashed" means confused or embarassed. "Mundane" means ordinary or humdrum. "Frigid" means frozen or exceptionally cold.
Example Question #2437 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRODIGAL
Amazing
Famous
Gluttonous
Talented
Wasteful
Wasteful
You might confuse “prodigal” with “prodigy” or “prodigious.” The former means “being very talented,” especially when that person is very young. For instance, one can speak of Mozart as being a “child prodigy,” having shown great musical talent from his youth. Something “prodigious” is impressive and of great magnitude. When something is “prodigal,” it is “great” in the sense of being wasteful. The Biblical story about the “Prodigal Son” is about a son who spends all of his money wastefully before coming home to seek forgiveness. He is called “prodigal” because of this wastefulness.
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