ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Lower Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #152 : Synonyms: Verbs

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

OVERFLOW

Possible Answers:

Increase

Rise

Flood

Push

Dredge

Correct answer:

Flood

Explanation:

When a body of water "overflows," it goes over the edges of its container. If you were to have the water overflow in your bathtub, it would spill out over the top of the tub. In order to "overflow" this kind of spilling is necessary - not just mere rising of water levels. Now, none of the options directly deals with this kind of spilling. However, the word "flood" does indicate what happens when some bodies of water overflow. Thus, since this is the only good option, you should choose it.

Example Question #153 : Synonyms: Verbs

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ASSEMBLE

Possible Answers:

Force

Shove

Preach

Collect

Worship

Correct answer:

Collect

Explanation:

An "assembly" is a gathering of people. Do not let this lead you to think that "assemble" (or "assembly") only has to do with religious services. (We do use it in this sense regularly.) Several of the options try to make you choose options dealing with such particular kinds of assemblies. The general meaning of "assemble" is to gather together things into a group—whether you "assemble" people, toys, or other things. Thus, "collect" is the best option provided.

Example Question #154 : Synonyms: Verbs

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

EMERGE

Possible Answers:

Delight

Jump

Appear

Fling

Frighten

Correct answer:

Appear

Explanation:

The word "emerge" means to come out. Perhaps you know the word "submerge," which means to go under. The prefix "sub-" means under, and the prefix "e-" means out of. (Sometimes, this prefix is "ex-".) Thus, we can say that "appear" is a synonym for "emerge." For example, you can say, "He emerged into sight after being in hiding." This means that the person appeared in sight.

Example Question #155 : Synonyms: Verbs

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ESCALATE

Possible Answers:

Increase

Deliver

Move

Change

Step

Correct answer:

Increase

Explanation:

You likely have seen an "escalator" in a store. These are moving stairs that go up and down mechanically. The word "escalate" means to increase or become more intense. Whenever we say, "The violence in the area escalated," we mean, It became more violent in that area. Thus, the only option that is a good synonym is "increase."

Example Question #156 : Synonyms: Verbs

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

DIMINISH

Possible Answers:

Overturn

Fulfill

Lessen

Destroy

Expand

Correct answer:

Lessen

Explanation:

The word "diminish" comes from roots meaning to become smaller. You can see in it the "-min-" root that is used in words like "miniature" and "mini." Therefore, the only option that is correct is "lessen." Whenever we "lessen" the strength of something, we make it weaker. That is, we make it "smaller" in strength.

Example Question #157 : Synonyms: Verbs

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

CREASE

Possible Answers:

Burn

Fold

Flatten

Twist

Allot

Correct answer:

Fold

Explanation:

A "crease" is a fold in something. It can be in a piece of paper or in someone's clothes. The verb "to crease" merely indicates the action of making such a fold.  

Example Question #158 : Synonyms: Verbs

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

MANUFACTURE

Possible Answers:

Design

Produce

Sell

Detail

Pollute

Correct answer:

Produce

Explanation:

The word "manufacture" actually comes from roots meaning to make with one's hands. Something is "manual" when it is able to be done or used with a hand. Even the little books that we call "manuals" are give this name because they are small enough to fit in a hand. The second half of the word means to do or make. This "-fact-" root is used in many words in English. Thus, the best option is "produce." A manufacturer is someone who produces a product. The verb "to manufacture" describes the process of making that product.

Example Question #159 : Synonyms: Verbs

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

DEVIATE

Possible Answers:

Push

Stray

Return

Rob

Gather

Correct answer:

Stray

Explanation:

Whenever someone "deviates" from the norm, he or she departs from it. Deviations are a kind of straying from what is acceptable or expected. You can also simply "deviate from the path" when walking somewhere. This means that you stray from it. In general, you can use "deviate" and "stray" to express this idea of "going away from the expected procedure, norm, or path." Therefore, they are good synonyms.

Example Question #661 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

SCATTER

Possible Answers:

Cultivate

Plant

Spread

Grow

Impress

Correct answer:

Spread

Explanation:

Whenever we "scatter" things, we toss them so that they are spread around on the ground. Whenever a group of animals scatter, they run in different directions, placing themselves apart from each other. Scattering has this element of spreading out. For this reason, the word "spread" is an acceptable synonym.  We tend to think of scattering seeds, as when we are planting a field of crops. Do not be tricked by options like "plant," "cultivate," or "grow."  These are not synonyms for "scatter"—even though we often scatter seeds so that we can plant, cultivate, and grow things!

Example Question #161 : Synonyms: Verbs

A synonym of "enamor" is __________.

Possible Answers:

provide

hold

disgust

mingle

enrapture

Correct answer:

enrapture

Explanation:

"Enamor" is a verb that means "be filled with a feeling of love for" or "have a liking or admiration for." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "be filled with love for," "have a liking of." So, "disgust" cannot be the correct answer, because as a verb, "disgust" means "cause (someone) to feel revulsion or profound disapproval," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "enamor." "Enrapture," however, is a verb that means "give intense pleasure or joy to," and because "enrapture" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "enamor," "enrapture" is the correct answer.

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