Upper Level ISEE Verbal Diagnostic

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First NameLast Name

Directions

This section is divided into two parts that contain two different types of questions. As soon as you have completed Part One, answer the questions in Part Two.

Part One --- Synonyms

Each question in Part One consists of a word in capital letters followed by four answer choices. Select the one that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

Part Two --- Sentence Completions

Each question in Part Two is made up of a sentence with one or two blanks. One blank indicates that one word is missing. Two blanks indicate that two words are missing. Each sentence is followed by four answer choices. Select the one word or pair of words that best completes the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

Part One --- Synonyms

Directions: Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

1. INITIAL:

firstmutualorderlyproper

2. MANNEQUIN:

actoraideleadermodel

3. AGENDA:

accidentcompositiondutyprogram

4. ADVERSARY:

agentcowardopponentrascal

5. PERSONIFY:

arguefulfillreplacerepresent

6. EQUITY:

fairnessharshnesshumorknowledge

7. ANTHOLOGY:

agreementcollectiondiseaseextension

8. OPAQUE:

antiquecloudedexhaustedpretentious

9. PALPABLE:

docilepoliticalsluggishtangible

10. FATHOM:

comprehendhastenquestiontrick

11. DIMINISH:

eliminateevadeexaminereduce

12. PERPETUATE:

continueconvinceencloseintroduce

13. ADMONISH:

delayorganizesufferwarn

14. DEPICT:

describediscardincludereverse

15. EPITOME:

embodimentequilibriumresilienceviewpoint

16. TRANSITORY:

activeessentialfleetingimmediate

17. INCITE:

explaininvestigateprovokerequest

Part Two --- Sentence Completions

Directions: Select the word or word pair that best completes the sentence.

18. Poet-novelist Rita Dove, former United States Poet Laureate, was the ------- of the 1966 Heinz Award in the category of arts and humanities

contractorheromentorrecipient

19. Alfred Jarry’s first play, Ubu Roi, is considered the first work of the theater of the absurd; although it caused a scandal when it opened in 1896, today it is -------for its innovative plot.

acclaimedinspectedrejectedsuspected

20. Many people raise their voices in an argument, as though higher volume -------a greater ability to persuade.

balancesnecessitatesprovidesrecognizes

21. In the second half of the nineteenth century, the number of American bison, which were once -------, began to decline as the bison became a source of food for westward-moving pioneers and railroad workers.

abundantlimitedunpopularvibrant

22. Unlike other great apes, which are social, orangutans are ------- creatures except for playful juveniles and mothers with babies.

contentedfriendlymysterioussolitary

23. The article on gene splicing was so -------that only a handful of the students were able to understand it.

contriteesotericfunctionalgenuine

24. The first African American actor to attain international ------- was Ira Aldridge, one of the leading Shakespearean performers of the 1800s.

permanenceprovocationrejectionrenown

25. Ancient cave paintings of the sun, the moon, and wild animals ------- to the inherent human desire and ability to portray the environment.

catergraduatereacttestify

26. Each afternoon the shepherd would drive his flock along the narrow road, effectively ------- the way for an hour.

obstructingplunderingrenouncingtransplanting

27. The city council looked at the proposal for a new library with an indifference that bordered on -------.

contemplationhilarityscornfulnessveneration

28. The art of Frida Kahlo was strongly -------by her lifelong interest in and ------- with Mexican folklore and culture.

absorbed...irritationinfluenced...fascinationrepelled...agreementundermined...unhappiness

29. Like most other ------- medical conditions, arthritis is not curable; physicians do their best, however, to ------- its symptoms.

chronic...amelioratecomplicated...mimicimaginary...minimizetemporary...extend

30. Although much of the worst pollution has been ------- in the United States, traces of many toxic chemicals still -------.

discussed...escapeeliminated...persistexaggerated...remainforeseen...arise

31. Queen Victoria had mixed opinions on the emancipation of women: while she -------education for women, she ------- their right to vote.

condemned...hinderedencouraged...recognizedfostered...opposedfounded...emphasized

32. The ------- observer of a lichen growing on a rock would never suspect that it was a------- of life-forms interacting with one another.

casual...compositeexpert...laboratoryinquiring...barrierknowledgeable...relative

33. If the authors had written with more -------and avoided such ------- language, their articles would have had more power.

brilliance...intelligentdeliberation...carefulexcess...emotionalrestraint...sentimental

34. Despite the ------- I felt at the thought of meeting Luisa, our business was transacted in an atmosphere that was clearly -------.

apprehension...congenialexcitement...jubilantoptimism...exhilaratingreservations...antagonistic

35. Because the caretaker had led a -------lifestyle for most of his life, his million dollar ------- to the settlement house amazed the trustees.

frugal...bequestgenerous...legacylavish...generosityunique...entreaty

Verbal Reasoning