ISEE Middle Level Verbal : ISEE Middle Level (grades 7-8) Verbal Reasoning

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

ACQUIRE

Possible Answers:

Reverse

Release 

Obtain 

Ask 

Abstain 

Correct answer:

Obtain 

Explanation:

To "acquire" means to get, obtain, or buy, so "obtain" is the synonym.

Example Question #242 : Synonyms: Verbs

A synonym of "usurp" is . . .

Possible Answers:

oversee

seize

approve

handle

mandate

Correct answer:

seize

Explanation:

"Usurp" is a verb that means "take a position of power or importance illegally or by force." While "oversee," "approve," and "mandate" might all look like potentially correct answers because they all have to do with positions of power, only "seize" ("take hold of suddenly and forcibly" or "take forcible possession of") is close in meaning to "usurp," so "seize" is the correct answer.

Example Question #243 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

RATIFY

Possible Answers:

endorse

invalidate

prototype

embark

goad

Correct answer:

endorse

Explanation:

"Ratify" means to give legal or official approval to, so "endorse" is the best choice. "Invalidate" actually has the opposite meaning, while "prototype" means a preliminary model of an invention built before the actual invention; "goad" means encourage or prod; and "embark" means set of on a trip, usually one made by ship.

Example Question #244 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

DRUDGE

Possible Answers:

Begrudge

Toil

Play

Pull

Dig

Correct answer:

Toil

Explanation:

"Drudge" means work diligently at a task, often for a prolonged period of time. "Toil" means work hard as well. Therefore, "toil" is the correct answer.

Example Question #245 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

SPEARHEAD

Possible Answers:

March

Lead

Trample

Follow

Correct answer:

Lead

Explanation:

To "spearhead" something, like a project, means to lead it. Imagine the tip of a spear piercing its target; the rest of the spear follows the head's lead. So, "lead" is the correct answer.

Example Question #821 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BUNGLE

Possible Answers:

Ruin

Advertise

Dance

Tie

Convince

Correct answer:

Ruin

Explanation:

"Bungle" means to carry out a task clumsily, ruining the outcome.

Example Question #1191 : Synonyms

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

ABOLISH

Possible Answers:

Cease

Correct

Eliminate

Seize

Surrender

Correct answer:

Eliminate

Explanation:

"Abolish" means get rid of or eliminate, so "eliminate" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "abolish": "seize" means grasp or take control of; "surrender" means give up and stop fighting; "cease" means stop completely; and "correct" means make right or fix.

Example Question #1192 : Synonyms

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

SUBDUE

Possible Answers:

Squalid

Hoary

Restrain

Save

Distort

Correct answer:

Restrain

Explanation:

"Subdue" means quiet someone down, hold someone back or restrain someone, so "restrain" is the correct answer. To help you, "distort" means twist out of shape, "hoary" means light grey or overused and stale, and "squalid" means filthy, especially as a result of having little or no money.

Example Question #20 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

EMBRACE

Possible Answers:

Kiss

Shout

Hug

Turn away

Correct answer:

Hug

Explanation:

An "embrace" is a hug, and to "embrace" someone means to hug them. So, "hug" is the correct answer.

Example Question #833 : Identifying Synonyms

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

REVEAL

Possible Answers:

Rescind

Waver

Expose

Ask

Correct answer:

Expose

Explanation:

"Reveal" is a verb meaning make known, so the answer choice closest in meaning to "reveal" is "expose," a verb that means uncover something that was secret. Considering the other answer choices, none are close in meaning to "reveal": "waver"  means shake or hesitate between two possible options; "rescind" means repeal; and "ask" is verb that means present a question.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors