ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning

ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning focuses on developing critical reading and verbal skills necessary for success in the ISEE exam.

SynonymsSentence CompletionContext Clues
AnalogiesWord Roots, Prefixes, and SuffixesNuanced Word Choice
Building Vocabulary DailyUnderstanding Instructions and DirectionsExpressing Ideas Clearly
Elimination MethodReading for CluesTime Management
SynonymsSentence CompletionContext CluesAnalogiesWord Roots, Prefixes...Nuanced Word ChoiceBuilding Vocabulary ...Understanding Instru...Expressing Ideas Cle...Elimination MethodReading for CluesTime Management
Advanced Topics

Analogies

Understanding Analogies

Analogies test your ability to see relationships between pairs of words. In the ISEE, you'll complete analogies by choosing the word that has the same relationship to another word as the given pair.

Types of Relationships

  • Synonym: Happy is to joyful as sad is to unhappy.
  • Antonym: Hot is to cold as up is to down.
  • Part to Whole: Finger is to hand as toe is to foot.
  • Function: Pen is to write as scissors is to cut.

How to Solve Them

  1. Figure out the relationship in the first pair.
  2. Apply that same relationship to the second pair.
  3. Choose the answer that fits best.

Why It’s Useful

Recognizing relationships between words helps you think more logically, which is helpful in all subjects!

Examples

  • Bird is to fly as fish is to swim.

  • Pencil is to write as broom is to sweep.

In a Nutshell

Analogies ask you to find relationships between pairs of words, testing logic and vocabulary.

Key Terms

Analogy
A comparison showing a relationship between pairs of words.
Antonym
A word that means the opposite of another word.
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Word Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes