All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #84 : Synonyms
A synonym of "grasp" is __________.
toss
grip
loose
reconsider
exact
grip
"Grasp" is a word that when used as a verb, means either "seize and hold firmly," "get mental hold of; comprehend fully," or "act decisively to the advantage of." As a noun, "grasp" means either "a firm hold or grip," "a person's power or capacity to attain something," "a person's understanding." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that is either a verb meaning "hold firmly," "comprehend fully," or "act decisively," or a noun that means "a firm hold" or "a person's understanding." So, neither "loose" nor "toss" can be the correct answer, because each of those answer choices is an antonym of "hold firmly." "Grip," however, when used as a verb, means "take and keep a firm hold of; grasp tightly," and because "grip" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "grasp," "grip" is the correct answer.
Example Question #85 : Synonyms
A synonym of "gorge" is __________.
starve
narrow
devour
wait
pretend
devour
All of the answer choices can be used as verbs, so we need to consider "gorge" as a verb. When used as a verb, "gorge" means "eat a large amount greedily; fill oneself with food," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "eat a lot." "Starve," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "starve" means "of a person or animal: suffer severely or die from hunger," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "gorge." "Devour," a verb that means "eat (food or prey) hungrily or quickly," is the answer choice closest in meaning to "gorge," so "devour" is the correct answer.
Example Question #86 : Synonyms
A synonym of "pledge" is __________.
rebuttal
power
will
treason
assurance
assurance
"Pledge" is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the answer choices can be used as nouns, we will need to consider "pledge" as a noun. As a noun, "pledge" means "a solemn promise or undertaking," so we will need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "a solemn promise." "Treason," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "treason" means either "the crime of betraying one's country, especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government" or "the action of betraying someone or something," both meanings of which are far from meaning "a solemn promise." "Assurance," however, is a noun that means " a positive declaration intended to give confidence; a promise," and because "assurance" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "pledge," "assurance" is the correct answer.
Example Question #91 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning
A synonym of "nick" is __________.
table
avoidance
volume
scratch
presence
scratch
"Nick" is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the potential answer choices are nouns, we will need to consider "nick" as a noun. When used as a noun, "nick" means "a small cut or notch," so we need to pick out a noun that mean something like "a small cut or notch." While "table" can refer to an object that could have a nick in it, "table" does not mean "nick," so "table" cannot be the correct answer. "Scratch," however, is a word that when used as a noun, means "a mark or wound made by scratching," or in other words, " a line or mark in the surface of something that is caused by something rough or sharp rubbing against it" or "a shallow and narrow cut in the skin that is caused by something sharp." Because "scratch" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "nick," "scratch" is the correct answer.
Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Synonyms: choose the answer closest in meaning to the word in question.
Contrast
Difference
Resources
Likeness
Similarity
Hardship
Difference
"Contrast" means difference.
Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Synonyms: choose the answer closest in meaning to the word in question.
Revolt
to draft
to support
to rebel
to command
to schedule
to rebel
"Revolt" means to rebel.
Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.
Retreat
to build
to fight
to continue
to pull back
to tease
to pull back
"Retreat" means to withdraw or pull back.
Example Question #51 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.
Rescue
to save
to exercise
to teach
to murder
to feed
to save
"Rescue" means to save.
Example Question #52 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.
Discount
to award
to increase
to study
to reduce
to explain
to reduce
"Discount" means to reduce.
Example Question #53 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.
Sack
Boat
Pouch
Airplane
Friend
Meal
Pouch
A "sack" is a pouch.
All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
