ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #144 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

SHRIVEL

Possible Answers:

Shrink

Outline

Antagonize

Enhance

Displace

Correct answer:

Shrink

Explanation:

To "shrivel" means to become smaller, to wrinkle and lose size. To provide further help, "outline" means draw out a plan of; "enhance" means make better and larger; "antagonize" means annoy; "displace" means replace, move out the way

Example Question #651 : Identifying Synonyms

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

THRUST

Possible Answers:

Distress

Shove

Slap

Deliver

Harm

Correct answer:

Shove

Explanation:

The general idea behind "thrusting" is pushing or shoving. This might tempt you to thinking of choosing "slap." However, this is not quite correct. Think of how we use the word "thrust." We might say, "He thrust himself out into the crowd." This means that he pushed his way into the crowd. We could also say, "He thrust the duck at her," meaning that he pushed the bird toward the other person. Someone could thrust an object into a bag, meaning that he or she shoved it into the bag. Thus, the best option among those given is "shove."

Example Question #146 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

STROLL

Possible Answers:

Crawl

Walk

Wander

Jog

Run

Correct answer:

Wander

Explanation:

Notice that all of these options deal with walking or running in some way; However, to "stroll" is to walk in an aimless manner. When we stroll, we just "walk around" without anywhere in particular to go, often in a very slow manner. Thus, the best option is "wander." This best expresses this kind of walking (or, strolling)!

Example Question #147 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

DETAIN

Possible Answers:

Condemn

Hold

Force

Torture

Belittle

Correct answer:

Hold

Explanation:

The word "detain" means to hold or to imprison. Because it can indicate imprisonment, you may be tempted to pick "condemn" or "torture," but these are not correct. Yes, condemned people can be imprisoned, and imprisoned people can be tortured; however, this is not the meaning of "detain." Thus, the best option is "hold." You could say, "I detained him for three hours in the room." This means that you kept the person in the room for that long—effectively "holding" him there.

Example Question #148 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

SWELL

Possible Answers:

Grow

Drain

Tighten

Jump

Pummel

Correct answer:

Grow

Explanation:

The word "swell" means to grow larger. For example, if you have a "swollen" throat, you have a throat that is likely enlarged from illness. The word "swell" is also used informally to say that you are doing well. For example, to say, "I am doing swell," means, "I am doing very well!" The best option among those given here, however, is "grow."

Example Question #149 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

INTERROGATE

Possible Answers:

Permeate

Lighten

Frighten

Facilitate

Question

Correct answer:

Question

Explanation:

The word "interrogate" comes from roots that mean to ask or to question. You could say, "He interrogated her for many hours, trying to discover the cause of the murder." This means that he asked the other person questions for hours to discover the murder's cause. The word "question" can be used as a verb. You could rewrite that sentence with just that basic replacement: "He questioned her for many hours, trying to discover the cause of the murder."

Example Question #150 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

FASTEN

Possible Answers:

Attach

Cancel

Regulate

Deliver

Adapt

Correct answer:

Attach

Explanation:

When you "fasten" two things together, you somehow tie or attach them together. When you "fasten your belt" in the car, you are connecting its parts together, "snapping them into place." Although many words could be used as synonyms for "fasten," the simple "attach" works best among the options provided. If you fasten something to the wall, you do, certainly, attach it to the wall.

Example Question #151 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

BLEED

Possible Answers:

Sicken

Injure

Faint

Seep

Wound

Correct answer:

Seep

Explanation:

The word "bleed" does of course have to do with blood and health often; however, it basically means "to flow." For example, people will "bleed" radiators to leave out extra air so that more water can enter them. The word "seep" expresses this kind of bleeding. Think of when you paint with water colors. They often can seep into each other. We almost naturally say, "The colors are bleeding into each other." This is the meaning we are looking for in this question!

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.

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