ISEE Middle Level (grades 7-8) Verbal Reasoning

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ISEE Middle Level: Verbal Reasoning › ISEE Middle Level (grades 7-8) Verbal Reasoning

Questions 1 - 10
1

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

APT

Appropriate

Application

Inappropriate

Fit

Explanation

The word "apt" means appropriate or very intelligent. The best choice is "appropriate," as it is a part of the definition of the word "apt." Considering the other options, an "application" is a request, "inappropriate" means not suitable, and "fit" means in good physical condition.

2

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

HYPNOTIC

Mesmerizing

Deceptive

Magical

Distorted

Strange

Explanation

"Hypnotic" means to have the effect of fixating one's attention. "Mesmerizing" also means this, so "mesmerizing" is the correct answer.

3

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

APPROPRIATE

Suitable

Casual

Severe

Intense

Mediocre

Explanation

"Appropriate" means fitting, right, or suitable. To help you, "severe" and "intense" are synonyms of one another; they both describe something that is extreme. Also, "mediocre" means average when better-than-average was expected.

4

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

LIVID

Angered

Sullen

Morose

Apathetic

Bashful

Explanation

If someone is "livid," they are extremely angered by a situation or person in particular. So, "angered" is the correct answer.

5

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

FRENZIED

Wild

Cold

Outspoken

Elated

Enraged

Explanation

A "frenzy" is a wild situation, filled with a lot of energy, excitement, and disorder. When someone is "frenzied," he or she has uses lot of such energy and thus is rightly described as being "wild." We might say, "Because of all the work he had to do that night, Bill was in a frenzied state, quickly passing from one task to another with little attention or care." Someone who is "frenzied" does not have to be "angry," though often an angry person might become frenzied in his or her demeanor!

6

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

SULLEN

Gloomy

Angry

Bashful

Hopeful

Reserved

Explanation

If something is sullen, it means it is gloomy. For instance, teenagers are quite sullen and moody to the dismay of their parents.

7

A synonym of "nonchalant" is . . .

unconcerned

excited

friendly

irresponsible

quiet

Explanation

"Nonchalant" is an adjective that refers to a person or manner and means "feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not worried" or "not interested." While "irresponsible" may look like a potentially correct answer choice simply because both "nonchalant" and "irresponsible" begin with negative prefixes, "irresponsible" means "not responsible" and is not similar in meaning to "nonchalant," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Unconcerned," however, means "showing a lack of worry or interest, especially when this is surprising or callous." Because "unconcerned" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "nonchalant," "unconcerned" is the correct answer.

8

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

ABRASIVE

Coarse

Smooth

Clean

Sticky

Ugly

Explanation

An "abrasive" is something scratchy and is usually used to help smooth an object or clean something. Sandpaper is abrasive as are the scratchy sides of sponges used to clean dishes. "Smooth" is an antonym to "abrasive." "Clean" means free of dirt. "Sticky" is an adjective describing a gummy or adhesive texture. "Ugly" is an adjective describing an unsightly person or object.

9

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

SUNDRY

Diverse

Uniform

Stuffy

Obtuse

Unique

Explanation

“Sundry” is an adjective that means “of various kinds; several,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “of various kinds.” That means that “uniform” cannot be the correct answer, because “uniform” can mean “of a similar form to another,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “sundry.” “Diverse,” however, is an adjective that means “showing a lot of variety,” and because “diverse” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “sundry,” “diverse” is the correct answer.

10

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters.

PHENOMENAL

Extraordinary

Atrocious

Dispeicable

Amicable

Understandable

Explanation

"Phenomenal" is defined as very remarkable. This is simialr to "extraordinary."

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