All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
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
Barefaced
Effluent
Complaisant
Astute
Arrogant
Astute
"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 #2442 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IMPERIOUS
Overbearing
Abashed
Underneath
Military
Detached
Overbearing
“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 #2443 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DEFT
Wily
Benign
Abject
Gregarious
Dextrous
Dextrous
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 #2444 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
METICULOUS
Diligent
Sly
Extinct
Impolite
Hazardous
Diligent
“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 #2445 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OBDURATE
Enlightened
Stubborn
Considerate
Resolute
Discerning
Stubborn
“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 #2446 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ALOOF
Attached
Attracted
Familiar
Distracted
Detached
Detached
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 #2447 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CANTANKEROUS
Grim
Grieving
Elegant
Extraneous
Crotchety
Crotchety
“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 #2448 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PUGNACIOUS
Merciless
Diaphanous
Opaque
Quarrelsome
Insincere
Quarrelsome
"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 #2449 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MUTABLE
Invariable
Changeable
Unreasonable
Sensible
Audible
Changeable
“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 #2450 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MAGNANIMOUS
Malevolent
Incoherent
Colloquial
Benevolent
Submissive
Benevolent
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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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
