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

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

BRISK

Quick

Fierce

Forlorn

Leisurely

Steady

Explanation

Something that is "brisk" is best summarized as quick or fast; for example, a "brisk" wind is one that is blustering. In terms of the other answer choices, "forlorn" means lonely; "steady" means constant; "leisurely" means laidback; and "fierce" means strong or aggressive.

2

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

FRUGAL

Thrifty

Smelly

Wasteful

Mean

Explanation

"Frugal" means prefering to save rather than to spend money, so "thrifty" is the best match. "Wasteful" has the opposite meaning.

3

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.

4

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

His opponent used a simple trick to                      him and win the match.

outfox

cater

dissuade

originate

admonish

Explanation

The subject was tricked, outwitted by his opponent so the correct answer is "outfox." To "outfox" means to outwit, to trick, to think of a way to beat someone. Additionally, "cater" means bend to the whim of or provide food for; "dissuade" means persuade someone to change their mind; "originate" means come from; "admonish" means scold, punish, yell at.

5

A synonym of "erroneous" is                     .

mistaken

correct

simple

complex

fallible

Explanation

"Erroneous" is an adjective that means "wrong; incorrect," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "wrong." "Correct," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "correct" is an antonym of "erroneous," not a synonym. "Mistaken," however, is an adjective that means either "wrong in one's opinion or judgment" or especially of a belief, "based on or resulting from a misunderstanding or faulty judgment." Because "mistaken" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "erroneous," "mistaken" is the correct answer.

6

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

UBIQUITOUS

Omnipresent

Curious

Different

Childish

Explanation

The word "ubiquitous" means present everywhere. The best choice is "omnipresent" since it also means present everywhere.

7

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

MARINA

Harbor

Airport

Garage

Station

Highway

Explanation

The Latin prefix mar- means of or relating to the sea, as in "submarine," which means underwater boat. So, a "marina" is a place where ships are docked, a harbor. An "airport" fulfills roughly the same function as a marina, but for airplanes, not boats (airports are also, obviously, much more regulated environments). A "garage" fulfills a similar function, but for cars, not boats. A "station" fulfills the same function, but for trains. A "highway" is a road with a higher speed limits, intended for long-distance travel.

8

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!

9

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

SAGE

Wise

Candid

Altruistic

Innocent

Affable

Explanation

A "sage" is someone with a high level of wisdom or, in its adjectival form, "sage" means learned. Therefore, the best answer choice is "wise," since it is the direct definition of "sage." In terms of the other answer choices, "candid" means honest, "affable" means kindly, "altruistic" means willing to give generously, and someone who is "innocent" is naive in certain aspects of life.

10

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

DEFECTIVE

Faulty

Protective

Essential

Reducing

Diminishing

Explanation

When something is "defective," it does not function as it should. Therefore, a computer keyboard that doesn't have all of its keys could be called "defective," and we could also call a car with a broken engine "defective." Something that is "faulty" is something with problems like this. The word "faulty" does not have to do with personal faults but with general problems or "faults," as when something does not function properly.

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