All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #28 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CONVEY
Reveal
Intend
Classify
Rank
Indict
Reveal
The word "convey" is interestingly related to the word "convoy," which describes a group of vehicles that travel together. The word "convey" most generally is used to express the idea of carrying or transporting something; however, it can also be used in an extended sense meaning to communicate—as though words can "transport" meanings from one person to the next. It is in this latter sense that the word is used here, for the only acceptable option among those provided is "reveal." When we ask, "Did you convey the meaning to Bob," we could translate this as, "Did you communicate the meaning to Bob," or as, "Was the meaning revealed to Bob?"
Example Question #29 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PLOT
Antagonist
Protagonist
Parcel
Narrator
Indication
Parcel
There are two senses of the word "plot," and you must not confuse them when answering this question. On the one hand, "plot" can indicate the storyline of a book, play, movie, or other type of media. Several of the options are concerned with stories—"antagonist," "narrator," and "protagonist"; however, none of these words are synonyms for "plot" in this sense.
On the other hand, "plot" can be used to describe a piece of land, as when we say, "He bought a plot of land in the wilderness." This means that the person bought a bit of land out in the woods. Although "parcel" can describe a package, it can also be used as a synonym for a piece of land. It is in this sense that it is being used in this question.
Example Question #30 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PLOT
Scenario
Award
Shot
Discussion
Angle
Scenario
The word "plot" has several meanings. One main cluster of meanings has to do with areas of land—as when someone lives on a "plot of land." This, however, is clearly not the meaning intended among the options provided here. Instead, the options hint at another primary meaning to the word, namely, the storyline of a play or other drama. A scenario is a sequence of events—how they happen one after another. Often, the word can be used to describe a plot of a story as well (since stories are, in fact, sequences of events). Therefore, it provides an excellent synonym for "plot" as it is used in this question.
Example Question #31 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CRUDE
Simple
Unintelligent
Normal
Ordinary
Dusty
Simple
The word "crude" can be used to describe someone or something that is not refined or developed. Thus, when we call a person "crude," we generally mean that the person is crass or rude. The word can be used to describe things like tools that are just simple and undeveloped. Thus, we can say that a stone that is tied to a stick is a kind of crude hammer. It is a very simple hammer—not quite as complex and developed as the modern hammers you would buy at the store!
Example Question #32 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ASSEMBLE
Vend
Benefit
Compute
Question
Make
Make
“Assemble” can mean put together from parts or come together as a group, so "make" is the correct answer. “Benefit” means provide help to; “vend” means sell; and “compute” means calculate.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
A synonym of "maroon" is __________.
maintain
waver
pardon
strand
rescue
strand
"Maroon" is a verb that means "leave someone trapped and isolated in an inaccessible place, especially an island." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "abandon." "Rescue," then, cannot be the correct answer because "rescue" is an antonym of "maroon." "Strand," however, when used as a verb, means either "drive or leave a boat, sailor, or sea creature aground on a shore," or "leave someone without the means to move from somewhere." Because "strand" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "maroon," "strand" is the correct answer.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.
ANCHOR
follow
secure
change
imitate
lengthen
secure
"Anchor" means to secure firmly in position.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
EXTRACT
remove
write
edit
push
remove
The word "extract" literally means pull out. The prefix "ex-" should be familiar, for it is used in words like "exit" (go out) and "exhume" (dig a body out of the ground). The "-tract" portion comes from the Latin for to pull. It is related to the word "tractor"—a farm vehicle that pulls large machinery. Therefore, to "extract" means pull out. Among the options provided, "remove" is the best synonym for "extract." Sometimes, we use the word "extract" to describe how someone can "pull out" a selection of text from a larger work. This smaller section is "extracted" and is sometimes called an "extract." However, do not be fooled into thinking that "write" or "edit" mean the same thing as such textual extraction!
Example Question #21 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GORGE
Cultivate
Beautify
Poke
Stuff
Defend
Stuff
There are a couple meanings of "gorge" that you may be familiar with, both of which derive from an old French word meaning "throat." As a noun, a gorge is a narrow pass, often between mountains. Since our synonym options here are verbs, though, we need to use the verb "gorge," which means to consume greedily. The most literal sense would involve eating (filling your "throat"), though you can also gorge (or stuff) yourself metaphorically with things like knowledge or a movie marathon.
Example Question #22 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BUFF
Invited
Jesting
Malinger
Polish
Forgotten
Polish
"Buff" is a word that can take on a variety of meanings; as an adjective, it can mean " a yellowish-beige color" or, more informally, "being in good physical shape with fine muscle tone." As a verb, "buff" can mean "polish something." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "yellow," "in good physical shape," or "polish something." "Polish" is an answer choice, and because it is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "buff," "polish" is the correct answer.