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 #2531 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

PRETERNATURAL

Possible Answers:

Munificent

Germane

Anomalous

Voluminous

Stupefying

Correct answer:

Anomalous

Explanation:

"Preternatural" and "anomalous" both mean unusual or abnormal. "Germane" means appropriate or applicable. "Munificent" means giving or generous. "Stupefying" means stunning or amazing. "Voluminous" means ample or vast

Example Question #2532 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

POTENT

Possible Answers:

Stewing

Forceful

Drinkable

Untainted

Poisonous

Correct answer:

Forceful

Explanation:

The “pot-” portion of this word is derived from the Latin for able and also power. It is found in many English words like “impotent,” “potency,” “omnipotence,” and “potential.” Someone might say, “The speech was extremely potent in stirring the emotions of the crowd; soon, everyone was marching according to the instructions of the speaker.” Among the options provided, “forceful” best conveys this sense of “power.”

Example Question #2533 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

FUTILE

Possible Answers:

Annoying

Useful

Bothersome

Ineffectual

Feeble

Correct answer:

Ineffectual

Explanation:

When something is futile, it accomplishes nothing. For example, one could say, “No matter how long Thomas spent in the gym, it felt futile, for he was always unable to lift his goal amount of weights.” When something is “ineffectual,” it is “unable to have an effect.” The word is thus somewhat like “ineffective.”

Example Question #2534 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

INEXORABLE

Possible Answers:

Unstoppable

Persuadable

Preventable

Limited

Imaginative

Correct answer:

Unstoppable

Explanation:

"Inexorable" is an adjective that means "impossible to stop or prevent," or when describing a person, "impossible to persuade by request or entreaty." So, neither "preventable" nor "persuadable" can be the correct answer because each of those words is an antonym of "inexorable," not a synonym. The correct answer is "unstoppable," an adjective that like "inexorable" means "impossible to stop or prevent."

Example Question #2535 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

HUGE

Possible Answers:

modicum

miniscule

hedonist

gargantuan

lucid

Correct answer:

gargantuan

Explanation:

Both "miniscule" and "modicum" mean a small amount so they are not correct. "Lucid" means clear, and a "hedonist" is someone who lives for pleasure. "Gargantuan" is a synonym for huge.

Example Question #2536 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

ECONOMICAL

Possible Answers:

Capitalize

Fiscal

Inexpensive

Profiteering

Fiduciary

Correct answer:

Inexpensive

Explanation:

The word “economical” is not the same as “economic,” which can mean “pertaining to finances or wealth.” Instead, it can mean “someone who is thrifty or careful with money” as well as “something that is inexpensive but useful” such as “an economical house.”

Example Question #2537 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

SHEER

Possible Answers:

Break

Woolen

Lacerate

Absolute

Trim

Correct answer:

Absolute

Explanation:

The word “sheer” is not the same as “shear.” The latter means “to cut” or “to shave,” often speaking of the cutting of wool from sheep. The word “sheer” means instead “complete” or “sudden.” The latter would be used to describe something like a cliff that is completely vertical—“a sheer drop.” Likewise, it can mean “complete,” “utter,” “or “absolutely” when used in an expression like, “The plan was not merely questionable; it was sheer madness to do something so insane.”

Example Question #2538 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

AFFLUENT

Possible Answers:

Despicable

Wealthy

Winsome

Impoverished

Comely

Correct answer:

Wealthy

Explanation:

“Affluent” means very wealthy. It is the opposite of “impoverished,” which means very poor. “Despicable” means evil and wicked; “comely” means very cute and beautiful; and “winsome” means charming and appealing.

Example Question #2539 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

COLLOQUIAL

Possible Answers:

Irredeemable

Conversational

Illicit

Plausible

Irrational

Correct answer:

Conversational

Explanation:

“Colloquial” means informal or conversational and refers to language or writing, so "conversational" is the best answer choice. As for the other answer choices, “irredeemable” means unable to be redeemed or so bad that it cannot be forgiven; “plausible” means believable as being potentially true or succeeding; “irrational” means not rational, not logical, and thinking with emotions; and “illicit” means against the rules or illegal.

Example Question #2540 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

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

CAUSTIC

Possible Answers:

Derisive

Obscure

Plump

Obligatory

Euphoric

Correct answer:

Derisive

Explanation:

"Caustic" means corrosive when describing substances or scathing when describing communication and speech. So, "derisive," which means disdainful and scathing, is the correct answer. “Plump” means fat, chubby, and round; “euphoric” means in a state of intense happiness; “obscure” means esoteric or unclear; and “obligatory” means mandatory.

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