ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs

A synonym of "acknowledge" is __________.

Possible Answers:

deny

persuade

undo

limit

admit

Correct answer:

admit

Explanation:

"Acknowledge" is a verb that can mean "accept or admit the existence or truth of," "recognize the fact or importance or quality of," or "show that one has noticed or recognized (someone) by making a gesture or greeting." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "accept," "recognize the importance of," or "show that one has noticed or recognized someone." "Deny," then, cannot be the correct answer because "deny" means " state that one refuses to admit the truth or existence of," making it an antonym of the first meaning of "acknowledge," not a synonym. "Admit," however, is a verb that can mean "confess to be true or to be the case, typically with reluctance," and because "admit" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "acknowledge," "admit" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

A synonym of "consider" is __________.

Possible Answers:

deem

rewind

carry

limit

ignore

Correct answer:

deem

Explanation:

"Consider" is a verb that can mean "think carefully about (something), typically before making a decision," "regard (someone or something) as having a specified quality," or "believe; think." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "think carefully about," "regard," or "believe." So, "ignore" cannot be the correct answer because "ignore" is an antonym, not a synonym, of "think carefully about." "Deem," however, is a verb that means "regard or consider in a specified way," and because "deem" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "consider," "deem" is the correct answer.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Verbs

A synonym of "enlighten" is __________.

Possible Answers:

inform

wallow

yell

mistake

grant

Correct answer:

inform

Explanation:

"Enlighten" is a verb that can mean "give (someone) greater knowledge and understanding about a subject or situation" or "give (someone) spiritual knowledge or insight." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "give someone greater knowledge" or "give someone spiritual knowledge." "Mistake" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "mistake," when used as a verb, means "be wrong about," not "give someone greater knowledge." "Inform," however, is a verb that means "give (someone) facts or information; tell," and because "inform" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "enlighten," "inform" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Verbs

A synonym of “interrogate” is __________.

Possible Answers:

reply

enlarge

memorize

desist

question

Correct answer:

question

Explanation:

“Interrogate” is a verb that means “ask questions of someone aggressively or formally,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “ask questions of someone aggressively.” That means that “reply” cannot be the correct answer, because “reply” means “say something in response to something someone has said” when used as a verb, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “interrogate.” “Question,” however, is a word that can mean “ask questions, especially in an official context” when used as a verb, and because “question” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “interrogate,” “question” is the correct answer.

Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Verbs

A synonym of “persuade” is __________.

Possible Answers:

hold

mean

tremble

discourage

coax

Correct answer:

coax

Explanation:

“Persuade” is a verb that can mean “to convince someone,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “reason with someone to change their beahvior.” That means that “discourage” cannot be the correct answer, because “discourage” can mean “cause to lose confidence,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “persuade.” “Coax,” however, is a verb that means “to persuade someone gently,” and because “coax” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “persuade,” “coax” is the correct answer.

Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Verbs

A synonym of “bicker” is __________.

Possible Answers:

adjust

squabble

isolate

disengage

concur

Correct answer:

squabble

Explanation:

“Bicker” is a verb that means “ argue trivial things,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “argue.” That means that “concur” cannot be the correct answer, because “concur” can mean “agree,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “bicker.” “Squabble,” however, when used as a verb, means “quarrel over trivial things,” and because “squabble” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “bicker,” “squabble” is the correct answer.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Verbs

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

CONTEND

Possible Answers:

Challenge

Question

Assume

Hide

Correct answer:

Challenge

Explanation:

The word "contend" means to challenge or to compete. "Challenge" is the best choice as it is a part of the definition of "contend" and is often used as a synonym for it.

Example Question #511 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

CONFUSE

Possible Answers:

Combine

Perplex

Fickle

Ambiguous

Correct answer:

Perplex

Explanation:

The word "perplex" means to confuse. "Perplex" is the best choice because it is a synonym of "confuse." Considering the other choices, "combine" means to put together, "ambiguous" means uncertain or having many meanings, and "fickle" means frequently changing or inconstant.

Example Question #682 : Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

CLARIFY

Possible Answers:

Make 

Make clear

Make right

Make hidden

Correct answer:

Make clear

Explanation:

The word "clarify" means to make clear or understood. "Make clear" is the best choice, as it is a part of the definition of "clarify."

Example Question #521 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

VERIFY

Possible Answers:

Prove

Vertical

Know

Vermin

Correct answer:

Prove

Explanation:

The word "verify" means prove the truth of something. "Prove" is the best choice, as it is a part of the definition of "verify." Considering the other choices, "vertical" means upright, "vermin" are disgusting animals, and "know" means have knowledge of something.

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