All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives
Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
PERIODICALLY
Frequently
Always
Occasionally
Rarely
Occasionally
When something occurs "periodically," it occurs regularly in a given period of time. For instance, the periodic swinging of a pendulum is the time that it takes for it to swing back and forth. Likewise, the occurrence of a full moon occurs periodically—according to a fixed period of the moon's orbiting around the earth. By itself, the word "periodically" does not indicate whether or not something occurs frequently, quickly, or rarely. It merely indicates that something happens at regular intervals.
The word "occasionally" is an adverb that could be rewritten, on occasion or on a given occasion. The implication is that it describes something that happens sometimes but not always. It does not necessarily state that it occurs rarely. Likewise, it is not proper to use "occasionally" to indicate that you do something frequently. You wouldn't say, "I occasionally eat asparagus," but actually mean that you eat it every day of the year. To indicate that you eat it every day of the year, you would say, "I always eat asparagus." To say "occasionally" is to indicate that the activity being described is sporadic—now and then, on occasion.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adverbs
Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.
Annually
Monthly
Daily
Weekly
Hourly
Yearly
Yearly
Annually means every year or yearly.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SELDOM
Often
Rarely
Spontaneously
Immediately
Potentially
Rarely
"Seldom" is an adverb that means not happening often. The best choice is "rarely" because it means infrequently and is a synonym of "seldom." Something that seldom happens rarely happens.
Example Question #3 : Identifying Synonyms
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Michelle has been unable to commit herself to a regular exercise regime, and instead exercises very __________.
fairly
quickly
unsurely
intently
sporadically
sporadically
Given that Michelle has not been able to commit to a regular exercise regime, the best answer is a word that describes irregularity. "Sporadically" means to do something at inconsistent intervals. Therefore, "sporadically" is the word that best fits the sentence.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
NATURALLY
Angrily
Genuinely
Slyly
Quickly
Temporarily
Genuinely
The word "natural" comes from roots related to birth. Something that is "natural" is inborn. Thus, if someone has a naturally happy attitude, that person is happy in an unreflective way. He or she just "is happy"—as though he or she was born that way. The word has taken on the meaning "genuinely" because such a natural disposition is not something that is faked.
Example Question #21 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INSTANTANEOUSLY
Figuratively
Helpfully
Immediately
Regularly
Devotedly
Immediately
An "instant" is a very short period of time. Whenever something happens in a very short time, it happens "instantaneously." This means that it happens almost immediately.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States
Select the word that has most nearly the same meaning as the word in capital letters.
CORDIAL
persuasive
jubilant
comical
interesting
friendly
friendly
"Cordial" is defined as warm and sincere. "Cordially" is commonly used at the end of letters, in place of "sincerely." "Friendly" is the closest match because warmth and sincerity are associated with friendliness.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Synonyms
A synonym of "headstrong" is __________.
unfriendly
tough
obstinate
energetic
bossy
obstinate
"Headstrong" is an adjective that means "not willing to do what other people want: very stubborn." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that is also an adjective and means something like "stubborn." While "tough" might look like a potentially correct answer because "tough" is a synonym of "strong," and "headstrong" contains the word "strong," "tough" does not mean "stubborn," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Obstinate," however, means "stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so." Because "obstinate" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "headstrong," "obstinate" is the correct answer.
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives
Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SOLEMN:
pleased
minor
cheerful
carefree
serious
serious
Something that is solemn such as a solemn event indicates that it is serious in nature.
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives
Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISTRAUGHT:
enraged
upset
irritated
horrified
annoyed
upset
If someone is distraught, it means they are highly distressed and upset.
All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
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