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ISEE Middle Level study materials
ISEE Middle Level study resources

ISEE Middle Level practice questions

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Question 1Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word that is closest in meaning to 'reluctant'.

  1. furious
  2. eager
  3. hesitant Correct answer.
  4. careless

Explanation

'Reluctant' describes someone who is unwilling or disinclined to act, which matches 'hesitant.' The other choices describe very different attitudes, so only one synonym fits.

Question 2Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to 'abundant'.

  1. scarce Correct answer.
  2. colorful
  3. genuine
  4. plentiful

Explanation

'Abundant' means existing in large quantities, so its antonym describes something in short supply. 'Scarce' means rare or insufficient, making it the correct opposite.

Question 3Verbal Reasoning

A 'fragile' object is best described as one that is:

  1. widely admired
  2. quickly replaced
  3. easily broken Correct answer.
  4. heavily built

Explanation

'Fragile' means delicate and easily damaged, so an object described this way breaks with little force. The other options describe weight, popularity, or replaceability, which are separate qualities.

Question 4Verbal Reasoning

Identify the relationship in the pair BELOW : CANDLE : WAX ::

  1. painting : artist
  2. book : library
  3. wheel : tire
  4. engine : fuel Correct answer.

Explanation

A candle consumes wax to produce light, just as an engine consumes fuel to produce power. Both pairs show a device and the substance it burns or uses up.

Question 5Verbal Reasoning

Which word completes the analogy? PEDAL : BICYCLE ::

  1. wing : airplane
  2. track : train
  3. helmet : cyclist
  4. steering wheel : car Correct answer.

Explanation

A pedal is a control a rider uses to operate a bicycle, and a steering wheel is the control a driver uses to operate a car. Both pairs link a vehicle to its main control.

Question 6Verbal Reasoning

The sentence 'The soup tasted too salty' uses 'salty' mainly to describe:

  1. a sound
  2. a flavor Correct answer.
  3. an action
  4. a size

Explanation

Words that describe how something tastes are sensory adjectives for flavor. 'Salty' tells the reader about taste, so it belongs to the flavor category.

Question 7Verbal Reasoning

Which word is the best synonym for 'observe' as used in the sentence 'Scientists observe the animals each morning'?

  1. watch Correct answer.
  2. feed
  3. ignore
  4. count

Explanation

In this context 'observe' means to look at something carefully, which matches 'watch.' The other verbs describe different actions the scientists might perform.

Question 8Verbal Reasoning

Choose the pair of words that are most nearly opposite in meaning.

  1. brave / courageous
  2. rapid / swift
  3. silent / quiet
  4. ancient / modern Correct answer.

Explanation

'Ancient' refers to something very old, while 'modern' refers to something current or recent, so they are opposites. The other pairs are synonyms rather than antonyms.

Question 9Verbal Reasoning

Read the sentence: 'Although the hike was exhausting, the view from the summit made every step worthwhile.' The word 'exhausting' most nearly means:

  1. dangerous
  2. expensive
  3. boring
  4. tiring Correct answer.

Explanation

The contrast with 'worthwhile' and the reference to 'every step' shows the hike drained the hikers' energy. 'Exhausting' therefore means very tiring.

Question 10Verbal Reasoning

A 'meticulous' record keeper is one who:

  1. avoids all responsibility
  2. shows great care for detail Correct answer.
  3. shares work with others
  4. works very quickly

Explanation

'Meticulous' describes a person who is extremely careful and precise about details. Speed, responsibility, and teamwork are separate qualities not implied by the word.

Question 11Verbal Reasoning

Identify the relationship in the pair BELOW : AUTHOR : MANUSCRIPT ::

  1. chef : recipe Correct answer.
  2. painter : canvas
  3. farmer : harvest
  4. driver : passenger

Explanation

An author creates a manuscript, just as a chef creates a recipe. Both pairs show a creator and the original work that person produces.

Question 12Verbal Reasoning

Which word completes the analogy? THERMOMETER : TEMPERATURE ::

  1. clock : alarm
  2. ruler : length
  3. scale : weight Correct answer.
  4. oven : kitchen

Explanation

A thermometer is an instrument that measures temperature, and a scale is an instrument that measures weight. Both pairs link a measuring tool to the quantity it measures.

Question 13Verbal Reasoning

In the sentence 'The committee reached a unanimous decision,' the word 'unanimous' indicates that the decision was:

  1. delayed for review
  2. made by a single person
  3. rejected by most members
  4. agreed to by everyone Correct answer.

Explanation

'Unanimous' means all members are of one mind, so the decision had full agreement. The word concerns agreement, not who acted or how long it took.

Question 14Verbal Reasoning

Which sentence uses the word 'bear' in its sense of 'to carry or support'?

  1. He will bear the cost of the repairs.
  2. The bridge can bear the weight of trucks. Correct answer.
  3. She could not bear the loud noise.
  4. The hikers saw a bear near the river.

Explanation

In 'the bridge can bear the weight,' the verb means to support a load. The other sentences use 'bear' to mean an animal, to tolerate, or to accept a financial obligation.

Question 15Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: 'The witness gave a ______ account of the event, describing every detail in order.'

  1. detailed Correct answer.
  2. vague
  3. brief
  4. reluctant

Explanation

The clue 'describing every detail in order' signals that the account was thorough. 'Detailed' fits because it means full of specific information.

Question 16Verbal Reasoning

The word 'benevolent' most nearly means:

  1. quiet and shy
  2. strict and harsh
  3. kind and generous Correct answer.
  4. wealthy and powerful

Explanation

'Benevolent' comes from roots meaning 'well-wishing,' so it describes someone kind and generous. The other choices describe severity, power, or temperament, which are different traits.

Question 17Verbal Reasoning

Which word is the best antonym for 'transparent'?

  1. shiny
  2. fragile
  3. opaque Correct answer.
  4. clear

Explanation

'Transparent' means allowing light through so objects behind can be seen. 'Opaque' means light cannot pass through, making it the direct opposite.

Question 18Verbal Reasoning

Which word completes the analogy? PUPPY : DOG ::

  1. kitten : cat Correct answer.
  2. bark : tree
  3. leash : collar
  4. feather : bird

Explanation

A puppy is a young dog, and a kitten is a young cat. Both pairs show an offspring and its adult animal.

Question 19Verbal Reasoning

In the sentence 'Her explanation was so lucid that even beginners understood it,' the word 'lucid' means:

  1. technical
  2. lengthy
  3. confusing
  4. clear Correct answer.

Explanation

The result clause 'even beginners understood it' shows the explanation was easy to follow. 'Lucid' therefore means clear and easily understood.

Question 20Verbal Reasoning

In the sentence 'The general's plan was so audacious that his officers doubted it could succeed,' the word 'audacious' suggests the plan was:

  1. bold and risky Correct answer.
  2. cautious and safe
  3. old and familiar
  4. cheap and simple

Explanation

The officers' doubt about success signals that the plan was daring. 'Audacious' describes boldness that takes a significant risk.

Question 21Verbal Reasoning

Which word completes the analogy? DILIGENT : NEGLIGENT ::

  1. sturdy : strong
  2. frugal : thrifty
  3. cautious : reckless Correct answer.
  4. candid : honest

Explanation

'Diligent' and 'negligent' are opposites in how carefully one works, and 'cautious' and 'reckless' are opposites in how carefully one acts. Both pairs are antonym relationships.

Question 22Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: 'Critics praised the novel for its ______ prose, which conveyed complex ideas in just a few carefully chosen words.'

  1. ornate
  2. concise Correct answer.
  3. rambling
  4. verbose

Explanation

The clue 'in just a few carefully chosen words' points to brevity. 'Concise' means expressing much in few words, so it fits the praise described.

Question 23Verbal Reasoning

In the sentence 'The scientist's skepticism was warranted, since the data had not been replicated,' the word 'warranted' most nearly means:

  1. excessive
  2. justified Correct answer.
  3. temporary
  4. unusual

Explanation

The 'since' clause gives a reason that supports the skepticism, so 'warranted' means justified by evidence. The other choices describe degree or frequency rather than justification.

Question 24Verbal Reasoning

Which sentence uses 'frugal' correctly?

  1. The frugal meal cost far more than anyone expected.
  2. Her frugal habits allowed her to save money each month. Correct answer.
  3. The frugal storm destroyed several houses.
  4. He was frugal with his anger, shouting often.

Explanation

'Frugal' means economical or careful with money, so saving money through frugal habits is the correct use. Each other sentence applies the word to an idea it cannot describe.

Question 25Verbal Reasoning

The pair 'ephemeral : permanent' is related in the same way as:

  1. abundant : plentiful
  2. temporary : fleeting
  3. genuine : authentic
  4. hostile : friendly Correct answer.

Explanation

'Ephemeral' (short-lived) and 'permanent' are opposites, just as 'hostile' and 'friendly' are opposites. Both pairs express contrasting qualities.

Question 26Verbal Reasoning

In the sentence 'The detective's deductions were so cogent that the jury accepted them at once,' the word 'cogent' most nearly means:

  1. hesitant
  2. lengthy
  3. secretive
  4. convincing Correct answer.

Explanation

'Cogent' describes an argument that compels belief because it is clear and logically forceful, so 'convincing' is the closest match. The sentence's clue is that the jury accepted the deductions immediately, which signals persuasive power rather than length or secrecy.

Question 27Verbal Reasoning

Which word is the best synonym for 'novice' as used in the sentence 'A novice at chess, she lost her first ten matches'?

  1. beginner Correct answer.
  2. spectator
  3. champion
  4. referee

Explanation

The sentence's context, losing the first ten matches, shows that 'novice' refers to someone new to the activity. A novice is a person who is just starting to learn a skill, which is exactly a beginner.

Question 28Verbal Reasoning

In the sentence 'The museum's new wing was funded by an anonymous donor,' the word 'anonymous' indicates that the donor:

  1. is not identified by name Correct answer.
  2. donated reluctantly
  3. lives far away
  4. gave a small amount

Explanation

'Anonymous' means having a name that is unknown or withheld, so an anonymous donor is one whose identity is not revealed. The word says nothing about the size of the gift, the donor's location, or the donor's attitude.

Question 29Verbal Reasoning

Identify the relationship in the pair below and choose the word that completes the analogy. CARPENTER : HAMMER ::

  1. painting : museum
  2. surgeon : scalpel Correct answer.
  3. patient : hospital
  4. hammer : nail

Explanation

A carpenter uses a hammer as the characteristic tool of the trade, so the second term is the tool a worker employs. A surgeon likewise uses a scalpel as the defining instrument of the profession, preserving the worker-to-tool relationship.

Question 30Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: 'Because the witness's testimony was ______, the jury could not decide whether the car had been red or blue.'

  1. candid
  2. meticulous
  3. contradictory Correct answer.
  4. verbose

Explanation

The second half of the sentence explains that the jury could not settle a simple factual question, which points to testimony that conflicted with itself. 'Contradictory' means containing inconsistent statements, fitting that cause-and-effect link.

Question 31Verbal Reasoning

Which sentence uses the word 'charge' in its sense of 'a price demanded for something'?

  1. The battery needs time to charge fully.
  2. The hotel added a charge for parking. Correct answer.
  3. The cavalry prepared to charge at dawn.
  4. The manager will charge the new clerk with opening the store.

Explanation

In this exam's vocabulary section, a word's sense depends on context, and 'a charge for parking' names a fee added to a bill. That is the financial sense of a price demanded, distinct from the other meanings of the same word.

Question 32Verbal Reasoning

In the sentence 'Her remarks were so terse that colleagues often mistook her efficiency for rudeness,' the word 'terse' means:

  1. loud and forceful
  2. warm and friendly
  3. confusing and vague
  4. brief and to the point Correct answer.

Explanation

'Terse' describes speech that is curt and economically worded, which is why the colleagues read efficiency into it. The contrast with rudeness confirms that the brevity, not the volume or warmth, is the key idea.

Question 33Verbal Reasoning

Which word is the best antonym for 'transient' as used in the phrase 'a transient feeling of unease'?

  1. intense
  2. fleeting
  3. permanent Correct answer.
  4. sudden

Explanation

'Transient' means lasting only a short time, so its antonym must mean lasting or enduring. 'Permanent' supplies exactly that opposite, while the other choices describe duration or intensity in ways that do not oppose transience.

Question 34Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word that best completes the analogy. THIRSTY : DRINK ::

  1. full : plate
  2. sleepy : bed
  3. hungry : eat Correct answer.
  4. tired : run

Explanation

A thirsty person satisfies the condition by drinking, so the relationship is a need followed by the action that relieves it. A hungry person relieves hunger by eating, which matches that need-to-remedy pattern exactly.

Question 35Verbal Reasoning

In the sentence 'The editor's praise was tempered by a list of required revisions,' the word 'tempered' means:

  1. concealed
  2. increased
  3. repeated
  4. moderated Correct answer.

Explanation

To temper something is to soften or moderate its force, so praise tempered by criticism is praise made less wholehearted. The presence of a list of required revisions is the clue that the praise was reduced rather than expanded.

Question 36Verbal Reasoning

In the sentence 'The committee's proposal was deemed untenable once the budget figures were reviewed,' the word 'untenable' means:

  1. unfinished
  2. indefensible Correct answer.
  3. inexpensive
  4. unclear

Explanation

'Untenable' describes a position or plan that cannot be maintained against objection, so 'indefensible' captures the meaning. The budget review supplies the objection that makes the proposal impossible to defend, not merely unclear or incomplete.

Question 37Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: 'The professor's lecture was so ______ that students who arrived late still grasped the argument within minutes.'

  1. tedious
  2. esoteric
  3. tentative
  4. lucid Correct answer.

Explanation

The outcome clause says latecomers understood the argument almost immediately, which requires a lecture that is clear and easy to follow. 'Lucid' means expressed clearly enough to be readily understood, matching that effect.

Question 38Verbal Reasoning

The pair 'prodigal : thrifty' is related in the same way as which pair below?

  1. generous : stingy Correct answer.
  2. brave : bold
  3. clever : bright
  4. quiet : silent

Explanation

'Prodigal' means wastefully extravagant and 'thrifty' means carefully economical, so the pair sets a spendthrift against a saver. 'Generous' and 'stingy' likewise oppose a free-handed giver to a tight-fisted one, preserving the antonym relationship.

Question 39Verbal Reasoning

In the sentence 'His apology was so perfunctory that she doubted he regretted the remark at all,' the word 'perfunctory' suggests that the apology was:

  1. performed as a routine duty without real feeling Correct answer.
  2. delayed until the following day
  3. sincere and detailed
  4. spoken in a whisper

Explanation

'Perfunctory' describes an action carried out as a matter of routine, with little care or genuine interest. The clause doubting his regret confirms that the apology was mechanical rather than heartfelt, which is why sincerity is ruled out.

Question 40Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: 'Far from being ______, the senator's record showed a consistent pattern of shifting positions as public opinion changed.'

  1. erratic
  2. eloquent
  3. partisan
  4. steadfast Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase 'far from being' signals that the missing word must contradict the description that follows. Since the record shows shifting positions, the senator was not steadfast, meaning firmly constant in purpose or loyalty.

Question 41Quantitative Reasoning

A pattern of square tiles grows so that figure 1 has 5 tiles, figure 2 has 9 tiles, figure 3 has 13 tiles, and figure 4 has 17 tiles. If the pattern continues at the same rate, how many tiles will figure 10 contain?

  1. 49
  2. 37
  3. 45
  4. 41 Correct answer.

Explanation

The sequence increases by 4 tiles each time, so it is arithmetic with first term 5 and common difference 4. The nth term is 5 + 4(n − 1). Substituting n = 10 gives 5 + 36 = 41 tiles.

Question 42Quantitative Reasoning

A number is multiplied by 6, and then 14 is subtracted from the result. The final value is 40. What is the original number?

  1. 6
  2. 4
  3. 8
  4. 9 Correct answer.

Explanation

Work backward by reversing the operations: add 14 to 40 to get 54, then divide by 6 to get 9. Checking forward, 9 × 6 = 54 and 54 − 14 = 40, which matches.

Question 43Quantitative Reasoning

In a survey of 200 students, 35% chose soccer as their favorite sport, 25% chose basketball, and the rest chose other sports. How many students chose other sports?

  1. 70
  2. 90
  3. 80 Correct answer.
  4. 60

Explanation

Soccer and basketball together account for 35% + 25% = 60% of the students. The remaining 40% chose other sports, and 40% of 200 is 0.40 × 200 = 80 students.

Question 44Quantitative Reasoning

Which value is greatest?

  1. 0.6
  2. 0.55
  3. 2/3
  4. 3/4 Correct answer.

Explanation

Convert each value to a decimal for comparison: 3/4 = 0.75, 2/3 ≈ 0.667, 0.6, and 0.55. The largest decimal is 0.75, so 3/4 is the greatest value.

Question 45Quantitative Reasoning

A rectangle has a length of 12 centimeters and a width of 5 centimeters. What is the length of its diagonal?

  1. 17 cm
  2. 60 cm
  3. 11 cm
  4. 13 cm Correct answer.

Explanation

The diagonal of a rectangle forms the hypotenuse of a right triangle with legs equal to the length and width. By the Pythagorean theorem, the diagonal squared is 12² + 5² = 144 + 25 = 169, so the diagonal is 13 cm.

Question 46Quantitative Reasoning

A sequence begins 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, ... and continues by the same rule. What is the next term?

  1. 84
  2. 96 Correct answer.
  3. 72
  4. 60

Explanation

Each term is twice the term before it, so the sequence is geometric with ratio 2. Doubling the last term, 48 × 2 = 96, gives the next term.

Question 47Quantitative Reasoning

A clothing store marks down a jacket originally priced at $80 by 25%. What is the sale price of the jacket?

  1. $65
  2. $55
  3. $60 Correct answer.
  4. $20

Explanation

A 25% markdown removes 0.25 × $80 = $20 from the original price. Subtracting the discount from $80 gives a sale price of $60.

Question 48Quantitative Reasoning

A bag contains 4 red marbles, 6 blue marbles, and 10 green marbles. If one marble is drawn at random, what is the probability that it is blue?

  1. 3/7
  2. 1/2
  3. 3/10 Correct answer.
  4. 1/3

Explanation

The total number of marbles is 4 + 6 + 10 = 20, and 6 of them are blue. The probability is therefore 6/20, which simplifies to 3/10.

Question 49Quantitative Reasoning

If 3x + 7 = 28, what is the value of 6x − 5?

  1. 42
  2. 35
  3. 30
  4. 37 Correct answer.

Explanation

Solving 3x + 7 = 28 gives 3x = 21, so x = 7. Substituting into 6x − 5 gives 6(7) − 5 = 42 − 5 = 37.

Question 50Quantitative Reasoning

A triangle has angle measures in the ratio 2 : 3 : 4. What is the measure of the largest angle?

  1. 40°
  2. 60°
  3. 90°
  4. 80° Correct answer.

Explanation

The angles total 180°, and the ratio parts sum to 2 + 3 + 4 = 9, so each part is 180° ÷ 9 = 20°. The largest angle corresponds to 4 parts, which is 4 × 20° = 80°.