ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning

Explore the skills and strategies needed to excel in the ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning section, focusing on vocabulary, word relationships, and critical language analysis.

Building a Strong VocabularyUnderstanding Word Relationships (Analogies)Critical Language Analysis
Mastering Synonyms and AntonymsDeciphering Word Roots and OriginsContextual Reasoning and Inference
Applying Verbal Reasoning in Everyday CommunicationUsing Vocabulary to Succeed in School SubjectsDecoding Instructions and Signs
Process of EliminationUsing Context Clues
Building a Strong Vo...Understanding Word R...Critical Language An...Mastering Synonyms a...Deciphering Word Roo...Contextual Reasoning...Applying Verbal Reas...Using Vocabulary to ...Decoding Instruction...Process of Eliminati...Using Context Clues
Basic Concepts

Understanding Word Relationships (Analogies)

What Are Analogies?

Analogies show relationships between pairs of words. On the ISEE, you'll see questions like "puppy is to dog as kitten is to ___."

Types of Relationships

  • Part to Whole: petal : flower
  • Cause and Effect: rain : flood
  • Function: knife : cut
  • Degree: warm : hot

Solving Analogies

  1. Define the relationship between the first pair.
  2. Apply the same relationship to the second pair.
  3. Eliminate choices that don't fit.

Helpful Hints

  • Make your own sentence connecting the two words.
  • Watch for tricky answer choices that are related, but not in the same way.

Real-World Connections

Recognizing relationships helps you spot patterns in stories, understand jokes, and make connections in science and math.

Examples

  • Bird is to fly as fish is to swim.

  • Painter is to brush as writer is to pen.

In a Nutshell

Analogies test your ability to recognize how words are related.

Key Terms

Analogy
A comparison showing a relationship between two pairs of words.
Function
The job or purpose something has, like a knife's function is to cut.
Next
Critical Language Analysis