ISEE Upper Level Verbal : ISEE Upper Level (grades 9-12) Verbal Reasoning
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Upper Level Verbal
All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #345 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The recent discovery of oil on the property has led analysts to believe that the construction of refineries in the area will soon prove to be a very __________ investment.
demented
vapid
lukewarm
deleterious
lucrative
lucrative
Only "lucrative" means prosperous or financially promising.
Example Question #346 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Termites are known to invade and destroy homes in such a(n) __________ nature that one does not notice their presence until it is too late.
insidious
incomprehensible
industrious
benign
invincible
insidious
"Insidious" means dangerous in a subtle way. Since the termites cause great damage to homes without the homeowners noticing, they can be described as "insidious."
Example Question #347 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ fishermen pressed on for port despite the treacherous conditions of the sea that night.
intrepid
insouciant
itinerant
innocuous
irksome
intrepid
These fisherman were pressing on despite difficult circumstances. This description matches well with the meaning of "intrepid," an adjective that means fearless or bold.
Example Question #348 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The doctor reassured the worried mother that the vaccine he was giving her child was completely __________ and that her baby was not in any danger.
insipid
inscrutable
insouciant
intrepid
innocuous
innocuous
"Innocuous" means harmless, and if the doctor told the mother that her the baby wouldn't be in any danger, the meaning of "innocuous" fits the context of the sentence.
Example Question #1021 : Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Living in Boston was __________ for the young couple, as all of their friends and family were still in California and they felt like they didn't know anyone.
delineating
deploring
arduous
encumbering
dismantling
arduous
"Arduous" means difficult and tiring. Living in a big city full of strangers can certainly be difficult and tiring, so "arduous" is the answer choice that best fits the context of the sentence.
Example Question #1931 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Receiving his court summons, Carl cursed our __________ society for being overly concerned with lawsuits.
onerous
litigious
magnanimous
garrulous
supine
litigious
"Litigious" means interested in lawsuits or tending to go to court to solve problems. Summoned by the courts, Carl cursed society for being excessively prone to go to the law to settle disputes.
Example Question #1932 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Bobby Orr is truly a __________ ice hockey defenseman; no defenseman has ever dominated the sport like him.
modest
mediocre
importunate
peerless
common
peerless
"Peerless" means eminent beyond or above comparison. Because Bobby Orr dominated his sport like no other defenseman, it can be said that he is eminent beyond comparison.
Example Question #1941 : Psat Critical Reading
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The scientist reviewed all of the research on the matter and then proposed a __________ reason for the chimps' behavior.
implausible
intrepid
inconsiderate
outlandish
plausible
plausible
"Plausible" means reasonable. Naturally, a scientist would wish to put forward a reasonable (that is, plausible) explanation for the chimps' behavior.
Example Question #1181 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
After years of talking down to his players as if they were ignorant children, the coach finally acknowledged that his attitude was __________.
condescending
commendable
variable
indifferent
fastidious
condescending
The phrases “talking down” and “ignorant children” suggest that the coach’s attitude toward his players was one of patronizing superiority. "Condescending" fits this definition.
Example Question #1021 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The superhero was __________ about his accolades; he said even less about his legendary powers.
taciturn
bombastic
portent
grandiloquent
caustic
taciturn
The semicolon indicates that a supporting relationship between the two thoughts separated by the semicolon. Here, the superhero said even less about his legendary powers. Thus, only "taciturn" (saying little) fits as an answer choice.
All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
