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 #2441 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

SAGACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Complaisant

Effluent

Barefaced

Arrogant

Astute

Correct answer:

Astute

Explanation:

"Sagacious" and "astute" both mean smart or judicious. "Arrogant" means haughty or overly proud. "Barefaced" means shameless or open. "Complaisant" means agreeable or easy-going. "Effluent" means drainage or outflow

Example Question #2441 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

IMPERIOUS

Possible Answers:

Military

Underneath

Abashed

Detached

Overbearing

Correct answer:

Overbearing

Explanation:

“Imperious” means overbearing, domineering, and assertive, so "overbearing" is the correct answer.  “Underneath” means under or beneath; “detached” means not connected to when describing physical objects and dispassionate when describing people; “abashed” means embarrassed; and "military" means having to do with a country's official armed forces.

Example Question #731 : Synonyms

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

DEFT

Possible Answers:

Gregarious

Benign

Wily

Dextrous

Abject

Correct answer:

Dextrous

Explanation:

Because "deft" means "neatly skillful and quick in one's movements," we're looking for a word that means "skillful" and specifically has to do with physical movement. While "wily" does involve skill, it does not refer to physical skill, but instead means "skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully." Dextrous, on the other hand, means "demonstrating neat skill, especially with one's hands," and is the closest synonym to "deft" of the listed answer choices.

Example Question #131 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

METICULOUS

Possible Answers:

Sly

Extinct

Hazardous

Impolite

Diligent

Correct answer:

Diligent

Explanation:

“Meticulous” means very careful and diligent, especially with a particular project, so "diligent" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “impolite” means rude; “extinct” means no longer in existence due to having died out entirely; "sly" means sneaky and full of guile; and "hazardous" means dangerous or having the potential to cause someone harm.

Example Question #132 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

OBDURATE

Possible Answers:

Stubborn

Discerning

Resolute

Considerate

Enlightened

Correct answer:

Stubborn

Explanation:

“Obdurate” means stubborn, intransigent, and not likely to change one’s mind, so "stubborn" is the correct answer. “Enlightened” means having a rational perspective and open-minded; "considerate" means thinking of other people's feelings when making decisions; “discerning" means perceptive and astute; “resolute” means determined, unwavering, sticking to something.

Example Question #2442 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

ALOOF

Possible Answers:

Attracted

Familiar

Distracted

Detached

Attached

Correct answer:

Detached

Explanation:

Someone who is “aloof” is emotionally distant and detached from others, so "detached" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “attached” means connected to; “distracted” means having one's attention taken by something other than what one is are focused on; “attracted” means drawn towards; and “familiar” means well-known to you.

Example Question #134 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

CANTANKEROUS

Possible Answers:

Crotchety

Elegant

Grieving

Extraneous

Grim

Correct answer:

Crotchety

Explanation:

“Cantankerous” means surly and ill-tempered, so "crotchety," which means irascible, is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “elegant” means sophisticated; “extraneous” means more than what is unnecessary; “grieving” means mourning the loss of something or someone; “grim” means uninviting, harsh, and depressing.

Example Question #135 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PUGNACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Insincere

Merciless

Quarrelsome

Opaque

Diaphanous

Correct answer:

Quarrelsome

Explanation:

"Pugnacious" derives from the Latin for "to fight," so it makes sense that "pugnacious" means eager to fight, argumentative, or "quarrelsome." As for the other answer choices, “merciless” means having no mercy, not stopping for anyone, relentless, and ruthless; “diaphanous” means transparent, very delicate, and fine; “insincere” means dishonest; and “opaque” means not transparent and blocking light from passing through.

Example Question #136 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

MUTABLE

Possible Answers:

Invariable

Changeable

Unreasonable

Audible

Sensible

Correct answer:

Changeable

Explanation:

“Mutable” means subject to change or "changeable." As for the other answer choices, “invariable” means unchanging; “audible” means able to be heard; “sensible” means reasonable and making good decisions; and “unreasonable” means not based on good sense and logic.

Example Question #91 : Synonyms

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

MAGNANIMOUS

Possible Answers:

Benevolent

Malevolent

Incoherent

Submissive

Colloquial

Correct answer:

Benevolent

Explanation:

Someone who is “magnanimous” is generous and charitable, or "benevolent." As for the other answer choices, “malevolent” means wicked and unkind; “colloquial” means conversational or using language unique to a certain region; “incoherent” means unable to be understood; and “submissive” means listening to others and doing what they want without arguing.

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