ISEE Lower Level flashcards
ISEE Lower Level · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Synonym
- A word that means nearly the same as another word. On synonym questions, choose the answer closest in meaning to the stem word and reject choices that are only loosely related.
- Antonym
- A word that means the opposite of another word. On antonym questions, choose the answer most nearly opposite; an unrelated word is not an antonym.
- Word charge
- Whether a word feels positive, negative, or neutral. Matching the charge of the stem word to the answer choice removes choices that feel wrong even when their meaning is unclear.
- Signal words
- Words such as because, although, therefore, and but that show how parts of a sentence connect. They tell whether a blank should agree with or contrast the rest of the sentence.
- Prefix
- A word part added to the beginning of a root that changes its meaning, such as un- (not), re- (again), pre- (before), and mis- (wrongly).
- Suffix
- A word part added to the end of a root that changes meaning or part of speech, such as -less (without), -ful (full of), and -able (capable of).
- Context clue
- Information in the surrounding sentence, such as a definition, example, or contrast, that helps a reader work out the meaning of an unfamiliar word.
- Two-blank completion
- A sentence-completion item with two missing words. Test each answer pair against both blanks, because a pair fails if either word does not fit.
- Percent of a number
- To find a percent of a number, change the percent to a decimal and multiply: 35% of 80 is 0.35 × 80 = 28.
- Percent increase
- The amount of increase divided by the original value, then multiplied by 100. The original value, not the new one, is the denominator.
- Mean
- The average of a set of numbers: add all the terms and divide by how many terms there are. To find a missing term, work backward from the mean.
- Proportion
- An equation stating that two ratios are equal, written a/b = c/d. Solve it by cross-multiplying: a × d = b × c.
- Sequence pattern
- The rule that generates the terms of a list. Check the difference between terms first, then the ratio, then alternating patterns.
- Area of a triangle
- Half the base times the height: A = ½ × b × h. The height must be measured perpendicular to the base.
- Estimation strategy
- Rounding numbers to convenient values before computing, then choosing the answer choice nearest the estimate. It saves time when the choices are far apart.
- Divisibility rule for 3
- A number is divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits is divisible by 3. For example, 471 gives 4 + 7 + 1 = 12, so it is divisible by 3.
- Main idea
- The central point of a whole passage. A fact that appears in only one sentence supports the main idea rather than being the main idea itself.
- Primary purpose
- Why the author wrote the passage, such as to explain, persuade, describe, or compare. Answers are verb phrases describing the author's aim.
- Inference
- A conclusion a reader draws from details in the passage rather than from a directly stated fact. A valid inference must be supported by the text.
- Vocabulary in context
- The meaning a word carries in a particular sentence. Substitute each answer choice into the sentence and keep the one that preserves the meaning.
- Tone
- The author's attitude toward the subject, revealed by word choice. Common labels include neutral, critical, admiring, and humorous.
- Supporting detail
- A specific fact, example, or statistic that backs up the main idea. Detail questions are answered with information stated in the passage.
- Cause and effect
- A relationship in which one event makes another happen. Signal words such as because, since, therefore, and as a result mark these links.
- Out of scope
- An answer choice that may be true in real life but is not supported by the passage. Out-of-scope choices are wrong on reading questions.
- Order of operations
- The sequence for evaluating an expression: parentheses first, then exponents, then multiplication and division left to right, then addition and subtraction left to right.
- Common denominator
- A shared multiple of the denominators of two or more fractions. Fractions must have one before they can be added or subtracted.
- Dividing fractions
- To divide by a fraction, multiply by its reciprocal: a/b ÷ c/d = a/b × d/c. Flip the second fraction, then multiply across.
- Median
- The middle value of a list of numbers arranged in order from least to greatest. If there are two middle values, the median is their average.
- Range
- The difference between the greatest and least values in a data set: range = greatest − least. It measures how spread out the data are.
- Volume of a prism
- The space inside a rectangular solid: V = length × width × height. Volume is measured in cubic units, such as cubic inches.
- Unit conversion
- Changing a measurement to a different unit using an equivalence, such as 1 foot = 12 inches or 1 pound = 16 ounces, then multiplying or dividing.
- Subtracting a negative
- Subtracting a negative number is the same as adding its positive value: 5 − (−3) = 5 + 3 = 8. The two minus signs combine into a plus.