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

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Middle Level Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1206 : Synonyms

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

RESIGN

Possible Answers:

Relinquish

Vanquish

Relish 

Admit

Quit

Correct answer:

Quit

Explanation:

"Resign" means give up or quit, so "quit" is the correct answer.

Example Question #843 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

ENRICH

Possible Answers:

Presume

Deplore

Personify

Augment 

Render

Correct answer:

Augment 

Explanation:

“Enrich” means to make better, to enhance, to augment. To provide further help, “render” means turn into, cause to be; “presume” means to think something about someone before you have the facts; “deplore” means hate; “personify” means characterize, exemplify, to show all the traits evident of some idea

Example Question #844 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

TRANSGRESS

Possible Answers:

Endure 

Admonish 

Misbehave 

Berate 

Assist

Correct answer:

Misbehave 

Explanation:

To “transgress” is to do something wrong, to step out of line, to break the rules. To provide further help, “assist” means help; “admonish” means criticize; “berate” means lecture or tell-off; “endure” means tolerate suffering

Example Question #845 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EXCEL

Possible Answers:

Entice

Succeed

Promise

Fail

Correct answer:

Succeed

Explanation:

"Surpass" is a verb meaning do better at something than someone else or be greater than, so the answer choice closest in meaning to "surpass" is "exceed," a verb that means be greater or more than or outdo. Considering the other choices, none are close in meaning to "excel": "fail" is a verb that means be unsuccessful in attempting to complete a task or goal; "promise," when used as a verb, means commit to do something; and "entice" means a lead on.

Example Question #846 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RECUR

Possible Answers:

Demolish

Prevail

Repeat

Abstain

Relish

Correct answer:

Repeat

Explanation:

"Recur" means repeat or happen again, so "repeat" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "recur": "abstain" means restrain oneself from doing something; "prevail" means win or triumph; "demolish" means destroy completely; and "relish" means take great enjoyment in doing something.

Example Question #847 : Identifying Synonyms

Which word in closest in meaning to INUNDATE?

Possible Answers:

Overwhelm

Enter

Sanctify

Open

Sink

Correct answer:

Overwhelm

Explanation:

"Inundate" means to flood, or overwhelm.

Example Question #851 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CONFISCATE

Possible Answers:

Attend

Remove

Desire

Apprehend

Manage

Correct answer:

Remove

Explanation:

When an item is "confiscated," it means the item is taken away; a common instance of "confiscation" is when a parent takes away a toy due to bad behavior from a child; therefore, the closest word in meaning is "remove." The other words have definitions as follows: "apprehend" is to capture; "attend" is to be present; and "manage" is to organize.

Example Question #852 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RECUR

Possible Answers:

Recycle

Repeat

Relapse

Reuse

Occur

Correct answer:

Repeat

Explanation:

An event that "recurs" continually happens or "repeats" itself. "Recycle" often refers to environmental reusing; "reuse" is using something again and again; "occur" refers to something that happens once; and "relapse" is deterioration.

Example Question #853 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROVOKE

Possible Answers:

Slide

Cause

Underscore

Find

Perform

Correct answer:

Cause

Explanation:

"Provoke" means to stimulate, give rise to, or cause something.

Example Question #854 : Identifying Synonyms

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

REMUNERATE

Possible Answers:

Responsive

Pay

Jealous

Steal

Withhold

Correct answer:

Pay

Explanation:

"Remunerate" is a verb meaning "to pay someone for services or work done." If you don't know the definition of this word, you can still get to the correct answer-- jealous and responsive are both adjectives, and words ending with "-ate" in English can often be verbs. Withhold and steal are both verbs, but they both are connected to taking something away, rather than giving. So in this case, "pay" is the best answer.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors