ISEE Upper Level Verbal : ISEE Upper Level (grades 9-12) Verbal Reasoning

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #402 : Synonyms

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

SHOUT

Possible Answers:

Whisper

Instill

Shriek

Corroborate

Warn

Correct answer:

Shriek

Explanation:

"Shout" is a verb that means to cry out loudly. "Shriek" is the best answer choice, since it shares a similar definition—to utter a loud cry. Considering the other choices, "whisper" is an antonym that means to speak with soft, hushed sounds, "warn" means to give notice of, "instill" means to slowly foster in someone, and "corroborate" means attest to the truth of.

Example Question #403 : Synonyms

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

LAMENT

Possible Answers:

Cry

Derive

Lay

Plaster

Slight

Correct answer:

Cry

Explanation:

The word "lament" is a verb that means to express great sorrow. The best choice is "cry," since it has a related meaning—to utter sounds in an expression of grief or sorrow. Considering the other choices, "lay" means to put in a horizontal position, "plaster" means to stick on a wall or to cover with something, "derive" means to logically arrive at one thing based on one's knowledge of another thing, and "slight," when used as a verb, means to insult.

Example Question #188 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ADMONISH

Possible Answers:

Hoist

Lessen

Laud

Scold

Demean

Correct answer:

Scold

Explanation:

“Admonish” means to punish, scold, or criticize, so "scold" is the correct answer. “Laud” means praise or celebrate; “demean” means lessen the significance of or mock and bully; “lessen” means reduce the quantity or intensity of; and "hoist" means use a pulley system to raise up into the air.

Example Question #411 : Synonyms

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

FATHOM

Possible Answers:

Disorient

Deceive

Retain

Submerge

Understand

Correct answer:

Understand

Explanation:

“Fathom” means understand or comprehend. As for the incorrect answers, “deceive” means lie to or trick; “retain” means keep; "submerge" means to sink something beneath the surface of water so that no part of it extends above the water; and "disorient" means confuse the inherent sense of direction and balance of.

Example Question #412 : Synonyms

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

ASSUAGE

Possible Answers:

Portend

Assimilate

Wager

Contradict

Relieve

Correct answer:

Relieve

Explanation:

“Assuage” means relieve, calm, pacify, or make less severe, so "relieve" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, "portend" means be a sign of or foreshadow; "wager" means bet; "assimilate" means take on the characteristics of the culture in which one is living; and "contradict" means to speak against something and contend that it is false or, when describing facts, be in disagreement with.

Example Question #413 : Synonyms

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

DISAVOW

Possible Answers:

Accede

Peddle

Deny

Deride

Reject

Correct answer:

Deny

Explanation:

“Disavow” means to deny responsibility for or association with something, so "deny" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “accede” means agree to a demand; “reject” means not accept or say no to; “deride” means mock and make fun of; and “peddle” means to sell something.

Example Question #414 : Synonyms

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

CAPITULATE

Possible Answers:

Incite

Imitate

Surrender

Grieve

Wield

Correct answer:

Surrender

Explanation:

“Capitulate” means surrender or run away from battle, so "surrender" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “wield” means hold and use as a weapon; “grieve” means express sadness over a loss, most often the loss of a friend; “imitate” means copy; and “incite” means cause something to happen.

Example Question #415 : Synonyms

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

ELUCIDATE

Possible Answers:

Postulate

Circumnavigate

Eradicate

Reconsider

Illuminate

Correct answer:

Illuminate

Explanation:

"Elucidate” means to make clear, or in other words, to explain or “illuminate.” As for the other answer choices, “eradicate” means completely destroy; “postulate” means suggest a solution to a problem; “circumnavigate” means travel all the way around the world or evade a topic in conversation; and "reconsider" means rethink a decision, possibly changing it.

Example Question #416 : Synonyms

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

INCITE

Possible Answers:

Pursue

Ramble

Exonerate

Ignite

Disavow

Correct answer:

Ignite

Explanation:

“Incite” means encourage to do something, especially something illegal. "Ignite" can mean to start a fire or, more broadly, kindle or instigate. "Ignite" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "incite," so "ignite" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “disavow” means deny responsibility for or renounce; “exonerate” means absolve; “ramble” means to talk without purpose or direction; and "pursue" means chase after.

Example Question #417 : Synonyms

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

ALLOW

Possible Answers:

Salary

Verify

Effect

Advocate

Permit

Correct answer:

Permit

Explanation:

The word "allow" is a verb that means to permit or yield. "Permit" is the best choice since it is part of the definition of "allow." Considering the other choices, "sell" is a verb that means give an item to someone else for a set monetary price"affect" is a noun that means alter the consequences of, "advocate" means speak on behalf of a person or cause, and "verify" means confirm the truth of

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