All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1841 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CRANIUM
Skull
Tendon
Ankle
Artery
Wrist
Skull
The Greek prefix crani- means skull, brain, as in "craniology" which is the study of the composition of the skull (it is worth noting that the suffix -ology means study of, as in "biology" or the study of life). So, "cranium" means skull or less commonly brain. Additionally, a "tendon" is a fiber that connects muscle to bone; an "artery" is a vessel that transports blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Example Question #1842 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GYNECOID
Juvenile
Diligent
Masculine
Feminine
Refined
Feminine
The Greek prefix gyno- means related to women, as in "gynecologist" which is a doctor that specializes in the care of the female body. So, "gynecoid" means relating to women, feminine, qualities associated with women. Additionally, "diligent" means hard-working, rigorous; "masculine" means a quality associated with men; "refined" means dignified, elegant, sophisticated; "juvenile" means childish, immature.
Example Question #1843 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ERGONOMIC
Egregious
Capricious
Resplendent
Festive
Comfortable
Comfortable
The Greek prefix ergo- means work, as in "energy" or the ability to do work. So, "ergonomic" means designed to be as comfortable and user-friendly as possible for work. Additionally, "egregious" means shocking, appalling, disgraceful; "capricious" means inconsistent, subject to sudden changes in mood or desire; "resplendent" means magnificent, splendid, attractive and imposing.
Example Question #1841 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
NECROMANCER
Cretin
Heathen
Preacher
Conformist
Witch
Witch
The Greek prefix necro- means death, black, as in "necrosis" which is the death of skin or tissue. So, a "necromancer" means practitioner of dark magic. This is closest in meaning to "witch." Additionally, a "heathen" is a non-believer within a religion; a "cretin" is someone lacking morals or intellect, someone deserving of contempt; a "conformist" is someone who follows the generally accepted behavior of a society or group of people.
Example Question #1845 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HEMORRHAGE
Replicate
Weep
Expire
Mourn
Bleed
Bleed
The Greek prefix hemo- means blood. So, a "hemorrhage" is a bleed, to "hemorrhage" is to bleed profusely, to bleed a lot. Additionally, "weep" means cry about; "mourn" means express sorrow for the loss of; to "expire" means to run out, to stop being usable; "replicate" means copy, reproduce.
Example Question #1842 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SOPHISM
Savant
Forerunner
Fallacy
Artisan
Epicurean
Fallacy
The Greek prefix soph- means wise, as in "philosopher" or "sophisticated;" however, in "sophist" it has a contrary meaning. A "sophist" is a misleading argument, an argument that appears wise but is in fact not. This is closest in meaning to "fallacy," which means an incorrect argument or assumption. Additionally, "epicurean" means hedonist, a lover of pleasure and indulgence; a "savant" is a learned person, particularly someone who seems to have unusually intense expertise in one area; an "artisan" is a craftsman, a skilled-worker; a "forerunner" is something or someone that comes before the development or emergence of something or someone else, a precursor.
Example Question #1847 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PSEUDONYM
Grievance
Alias
Prototype
Fusion
Diffidence
Alias
The prefix "pseudo-" means fake or artificial, so it makes sense that a “pseudonym” is a fake name, or an “alias.” A “grievance” is an injustice you feel has been done to you or a problem you might have with something; “fusion” means blend or combination; “diffidence” is lack of self-confidence; and a “prototype” is a first model of something.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Anglo Saxon
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FOREBEAR
Mosaic
Outlaw
Discord
Descendent
Ancestor
Ancestor
The prefix "fore-" means before, so it makes sense that "forebear" means progenitor or "ancestor." As for the other answers, “descendent” means someone who descends from a particular person or animal; an “outlaw” is a criminal; "discord” means disagreement or conflict; and a “mosaic” is a pattern or picture produced by arranging many small colorful pieces of glass in a ceramic base.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Anglo Saxon
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OVERBEARING
Deleterious
Atrocious
Monotonous
Humiliating
Oppressive
Oppressive
The prefix "over-" means above or superior, so it makes sense that “overbearing” means assuming superiority and acting oppressively and arrogantly towards others. This means that "oppressive" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “monotonous” means boring, uniform, and predictable; “humiliating” means debasing or embarrassing, “atrocious” means appalling, terrible, and disgusting; “deleterious” means harmful.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Suffixes
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LEGIBLE
Readable
Regulated
Political
Law-like
Legal
Readable
The word “legible” comes from the Latin “legere” meaning to read. The English word means clear and readable. It is related to the word “lector,” which means reader. Often people will talk about “legible handwriting,” but the word can be used to describe print words that are likewise readable.
All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
