All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2381 : 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.
BENIGN
stygian
injurious
malignant
benevolent
unkempt
benevolent
"Benign" and "benevolent" both mean kindly or favorable. "Unkempt" means shabby or sloppy. "Injurious" means hurtful or destructive. "Malignant" means diseased or cancerous. "Stygian" means dark or shadowy.
Example Question #2382 : 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.
WILLFUL
arboreal
nonplussed
abysmal
obstinate
noisome
obstinate
"Willful" and "obstinate" both mean stubborn or headstrong. "Abysmal" means to a great extent or immeasurable. "Noisome" means immoral, bad, or offensive. "Arboreal" means pertaining to trees. "Nonplussed" means confused.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
QUIXOTIC
cynical
demure
idealistic
pragmatic
cogent
idealistic
"Quixotic" and "idealistic" both mean foolishly dreamy. "Cynical" means nonbelieving or doubtful. "Pragmatic" means sensible or efficient. "Demure" means reserved or affected. "Cogent" means effective or compelling.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
FORBEARING
garish
impotent
stolid
tolerant
intrepid
tolerant
"Forbearing" and "tolerant" both mean forgiving or moderate. "Impotent" means disabled or unable to perform an action. "Garish" means flashy or tasteless. "Intrepid" means brave or nervy. "Stolid" means apathetic or stupid.
Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
GARRULOUS
Talkative
Pleasurable
Imminent
Bizarre
Considerate
Talkative
"Garrulous" means talkative, so "talkative" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "garrulous": "bizarre" means strange or very odd "Cocnsiderate" means thoughtful or considering the feelings and thoughts of other people; "pleasurable" means giving one pleasure; and "imminent" means impending or close to occurring.
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DOUR
dilapidated
ecstatic
banal
impartial
grim
grim
"Dour" is an adjective that refers to someone's manner or appearance and has a few different meanings, including gloomy and austere. While "dilapidated" sounds like it might be a good answer choice, it means in poor condition due to having been neglected over time—not quite what we're looking for. "Grim," on the other hand, can mean somber or gloomy and is the closest in meaning to "dour," so it is the best answer choice.
Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRUDENT
judicious
deceptive
sly
judgmental
critical
judicious
The word “prudent” has perhaps received a bad sense in its standard usage by most English-speakers. One will at times speak of “prudent” people who know how to work things to their gain. For instance, someone might be called “prudent” for keeping silent about opinions instead of insulting someone who might give him or her a job; however, the word “prudent” is of much nobler origins, meaning discerning or even wise in practical action. For this reason, among the options provided, the best option is “judicious,” meaning judging well. This meaning will cover the more negative uses but likewise applies to the nobler notions of “prudence.”
Example Question #451 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CAPRICIOUS
Dreary
Reverent
Ephemeral
Insolent
Fickle
Fickle
"Capricious" means changing one's mood in a fickle, unpredictable manner, so the answer choice that is its best synonym is "fickle," or changing frequently.
Example Question #452 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
JUDICIOUS
Prudent
Illicit
Rhetorical
Legal
Tribunal
Prudent
The word “judicious” is related to “judgment,” but do not let that lead you to the law-related words like “legal,” “illicit,” and “tribunal.” When someone is “judicious,” he or she has and exercises “good judgment.” Such a person could be called “prudent,” meaning he or she is wise in a practical manner.
Example Question #453 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
CAPRICIOUS
Planned
Predictable
Amusing
Impulsive
Condescending
Impulsive
"Capricious" means unpredictable, so both planned and predictable are incorrect, because they are antonyms for capricious. "Condescending" means to lower in position, and "amusing" involves humor, so the best answer choice is "impulsive."
All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
