All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2253 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
REVERBERATE
Echo
Scrutinize
Recoil
Formulate
Complain
Echo
"Reverberate" means to echo, to rebound and re-sound. To provide further help, "recoil" means step back from in fear or disgust; "formulate" means come up with; "scrutinize" means carefully examine.
Example Question #2254 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
RUFFLE
Encourage
Recreate
Imply
Disturb
Postpone
Disturb
To "ruffle" means to disarrange, to disturb, to mess up. To provide further help, "imply" means suggest. To "postpone" something is to put that thing off for later. To "encourage" is to support or pump up.
Example Question #2255 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SATE
Vindicate
Drawl
Abstain
Quaff
Gratify
Gratify
"Sate" and "gratify" both mean satisfy. As for the other answer choices, "abstain" means hold back from doing; "quaff" means drink down or gulp; "drawl" means lengthen or draw out; and "vindicate" means prove one's innocence.
Example Question #321 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VEX
Horrify
Enrage
Trigger
Annoy
Question
Annoy
The word “vex” comes from the Latin for “to annoy.” “Vexations,” are annoying things. One could use the word in a sentence like, “After many years of living with Sally, Joan started to become vexed by all of her little character flaws, eventually becoming enraged by what were at best small annoyances.”
Example Question #2256 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
REPULSE
Retch
Reek
Foul
Undulate
Repel
Repel
We usually think of a “repulsive” thing as being disgusting or gross. The correspondence is not direct. Something gross is called “repulsive” because it “pushes people away from it.” (Nobody wants to be close to the person with body odor; he or she “repulses” people away.) A “pulsation” is so called because it is caused by a “beating” or “pressing” motion. To “repulse” is to “drive, beat, or press” someone away.
Example Question #541 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
COVET
Crave
Maneuver
Detest
Cover
Introduce
Crave
"Covet" is a verb that means "yearn to possess or have something," so we need to pick out a verb that means something like "yearn to possess." While "cover" may sound and look similar to "covet," the two words have very different meanings, so "cover" cannot be the correct answer. "Crave," however, means "feel a powerful desire for something," and because it is the closest synonym of "covet" among the possible answer choices, "crave" is the correct answer.
Example Question #2258 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DAUNT
Deter
Enhance
Corrupt
Embolden
Equivocate
Deter
"Daunt" and "deter" both mean to make fearful or hesitant. "Embolden" means to encourage or inspire. "Corrupt" means to pervert or pollute. "Enhance" means to improve or embellish. "Equivocate" means to avoid an issue.
Example Question #2259 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VEX
Incite
Burgeon
Glean
Alleviate
Agitate
Agitate
"Vex" means to agitate or bother. "Alleviate" means to relieve or lessen. "Burgeon" means to bloom or multiply. "Glean" means to pick out or collect. "Incite" means to encourage or provoke.
Example Question #2261 : 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.
EXACERBATE
oscillate
aggravate
patent
appease
contort
aggravate
"Exacerbate" and "aggravate" both mean to infuriate or make worse. "Appease" means to satisfy or pacify. "Contort" means to disfigure or distort. "Oscillate" means to change back and forth. "Patent" means to secure a copyright on an invention.
Example Question #327 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
INFURIATE
Grovel
Indicate
Enrage
Endorse
Pursue
Enrage
"Infuriate" means enrage or make someone angry, so "enrage" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "infuriate": "grovel" means beg or crawl on the floor while begging; "indicate" means designate or mark; "pursue" means continue or follow; and "endorse" means approve or support.
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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
