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 #8 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, And Variety

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

PEDESTRIAN

Possible Answers:

Uneventful

Thrilling

Heavy

Languid

Exquisite

Correct answer:

Uneventful

Explanation:

When used as a noun, "pedestrian" means "a person walking along a road or in a developed area." When used as an adjective, however, "pedestrian" means "lacking inspiration or excitement; dull." "Thrilling" cannot be the correct answer because "thrilling" is an antonym of "vim," and while "languid" may seem close in meaning to "pedestrian," "languid" means "displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed" when describing a person, manner, or gesture, "pleasantly lazy and peaceful" when describing an occasion or period of time, or "weak or faint from illness or fatigue." "Uneventful," an adjective that means "not marked by interesting or exciting events," is the closest synonym to "pedestrian" amongst the listed answer choices, so "uneventful" is the correct answer.

Example Question #912 : Synonyms

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

MYRIAD

Possible Answers:

Measurable

Describable

Acceptable

Innumerable

Variable

Correct answer:

Innumerable

Explanation:

If a high school offers a myriad of classes, it means that there is a vast amount or a seemingly innumerable number of classes.

Example Question #921 : Synonyms

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

MYRIAD

Possible Answers:

Innumerable

Overabundance

Portrait

Pyramid

Structure

Correct answer:

Innumerable

Explanation:

The word “myriad” is derived from the Greek for "10,000." In general, it is used to describe a countless multitude of things. For that reason, the best option among the provided answers is “innumerable.” An example usage would be, “Roger wished to do something so foolish that his friends were able to provide him with myriad reasons, overwhelming him with reasons for making such a stupid choice.”

Example Question #922 : Synonyms

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

PLATITUDINOUS

Possible Answers:

Annoying

Tedious

Unhelpful

Boring

Overused

Correct answer:

Overused

Explanation:

You might be more familiar with the word “platitude” than with “platitudinous.” The former is the related noun form of the same base. A “platitude” is an expression, often moral in nature, that has been so overused that it has lost its meaning. You might know someone who recites such expressions as, “Everything happens for a reason.” Such remarks either tell you nothing or often just frustrate you when horrible things happen. They provide little consolation or direction. Although a “platitudinous” expression could be called “annoying,” it is most properly said to be something “overused.” The annoyance follows on the fact that overuse has totally shorn it of its meaning and significance.

Example Question #923 : Synonyms

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

REPLETE

Possible Answers:

Evanescent

Disingenuous

Scant

Abounding

Pugnacious

Correct answer:

Abounding

Explanation:

"Replete" and "abounding" both mean full or well-stocked. "Scant" means meager or paltry. "Disingenuous" means insincere or deceitful. "Evanescent" means transient or brief. "Pugnacious" means belligerent or aggressive.

Example Question #701 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AESTHETIC

Possible Answers:

disciplined

sanitary

attractive

affluent

Correct answer:

attractive

Explanation:

"Aesthetic" describes something having to do with beauty. Be careful not to confuse it with similar sounding words like "ascetic" (harshly disciplined) or "aseptic" (sanitary).

Example Question #924 : Synonyms

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

TAWDRY

Possible Answers:

taciturn

urbane

sophisticated

nebulous

tacky

Correct answer:

tacky

Explanation:

"Tawdry" and "tacky" both mean cheap or tasteless. "Sophisticated" means refined or elegant. "Nebulous" means confused or obscure. "Taciturn" means uncommnicative. "Urbane" means cosmopolitan or sophisticated

Example Question #925 : Synonyms

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

TEPID

Possible Answers:

Enthusiastic

Halfhearted

Awe-inspiring

Frigid

Downcast

Correct answer:

Halfhearted

Explanation:

"Tepid" takes on one of its two meanings in this question. "Tepid" can mean lukewarm, but it can also mean halfhearted or indifferent. This question uses the secondary meaning of tepid and the best answer choice is halfhearted.

Example Question #926 : Synonyms

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

EDIFYING

Possible Answers:

Defying

Amazing

Decreeing

Spurning

Improving

Correct answer:

Improving

Explanation:

The word “edifying” is related to the English “edifice,” meaning building. Most strictly, “to edify” means to improve someone intellectually or morally. It is often used in the sense of “improvement” in general, though this is a secondary usage. Bearing this qualification in mind, “improving” is still the best option among those given. One can speak of “edification” when describing the instruction itself, as in, “He provided edification to the young man in order to improve his moral behavior.”

Example Question #927 : Synonyms

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

GARISH

Possible Answers:

Modest

Gaudy

Succulent

Rare

Warlike

Correct answer:

Gaudy

Explanation:

Something that is "garish" is excessively and crudely showy. "Gaudy" carries the same sense of being tastelessly flashy. "Modest" is an antonym.

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