All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2501 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FURTIVE
Infinite
Persistant
Lavish
Superfluous
Clandestine
Clandestine
"Furtive" means secretive or stealthy, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; because of this, the answer choice that is its closest synonym is "clandestine," or kept secret or done secretively, especially because something is illicit.
Example Question #2502 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PAINSTAKING
Slapdash
Meticulous
Unified
Exemplary
Inconsiderate
Meticulous
"Painstaking" is an adjective that means meticulous or extremely careful and particular, so "meticulous" is the correct answer.
Example Question #2503 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SACRILEGIOUS
Serene
Blasphemous
Traditional
Gargantuan
Pious
Blasphemous
“Sacrilegious” means disrespecting religious ideas, objects, or traditions, or in other words, "blasphemous." As for the other answer choices, “serene” means quiet and peaceful; “pious” means deeply religious; “gargantuan” means huge, gigantic, very large, or colossal; and "traditional" means adhering to established conventions without changing them.
Example Question #792 : Synonyms
Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.
ARRESTING
dissimilar
verbose
impactful
threatening
impactful
Arresting means striking, eye-catching, or impactful.
Example Question #2504 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
SYMBIOTIC
synergistic
encumbering
succinct
hindering
stringent
synergistic
"Symbiotic" and "synergistic" both mean cooperative or concerted. "Encumbering" means hindering or slowing. "Hindering" means encumbering or burdening. "Stringent" means stringent or tight. "Succinct" means short and to the point.
Example Question #2505 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INTRINSIC
Mandatory
Somatic
Innate
Intuitive
Original
Innate
Instrinsic traits means they are innate or fundamental to a person; they are also described as inborn and natural.
Example Question #2506 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
POLARIZING
Extraneous
Horrifying
Elusive
Patriotic
Divisive
Divisive
Although polarize has a more literal, scientific meaning relating to ionization of atoms, it is also used to refer to an opposition of beliefs; therefore "divisive" is the best synonym.
Example Question #2507 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
ONEROUS
facile
obdurate
obsequious
trivial
arduous
arduous
"Onerous" and "arduous" both mean difficult or backbreaking. "Facile" means simple or easy. "Trivial" means unimportant or superficial. "Obsequious" means groveling or submissive. "Obdurate" means stubborn or adamant.
Example Question #2508 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ADVERSE
Foe
Vexing
Battling
Unfavorable
Clashing
Unfavorable
The word “adverse” comes from the Latin meaning to turn toward or, more directly, to the Latin for to be against. The word “adverse” most often is used to describe conditions that are disadvantageous to some undertaking. For instance, a very standard usage is “adverse weather conditions,” meaning weather conditions that are not favorable to activities—either in specific or in general. It can also mean harmful, thus being used in a sentence like, “The adverse effects of the drug were known to cause cancer and heart damage within two years of beginning treatment.” The word “adversary,” meaning opponent, is clearly related to this word.
Example Question #2509 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ESTEEMED
Enjoyed
Admired
Relished
Adulterated
Astonished
Admired
To hold something in esteem is not merely to enjoy it or relish it. It is to give it high respect. The word “admired” best fits for this reason. “Admire” actually comes from Latin roots related to wondering at something. Something that is “miraculous” is wonderful or wondrous. The “admirable” is likewise quite wonderful.
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