ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #631 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NEGATE

Possible Answers:

Invalidate

Unpleasant

Negative

Dismay

Fight

Correct answer:

Invalidate

Explanation:

To "negate" something, like a claim, means to invalidate it, cancel it out, or deny that it exists. So, "invalidate" is the correct answer.

Example Question #632 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ELUCIDATE

Possible Answers:

Silly

Modest

Inform

Deny

Correct answer:

Inform

Explanation:

The word "elucidate" means make clear. The best choice is "clarify" because it shares the same definition as "elucidate." Considering the other choices, "silly" means foolish, "modest" means free from boastfulness, and "deny" means reject.

Example Question #54 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters.

DICTATE

Possible Answers:

Summon

Distance

Demand

Obligate

Communicate

Correct answer:

Demand

Explanation:

"Dictate" means to give orders. This is simliar to "demand."

Example Question #633 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters.

VENTILATE

Possible Answers:

Lose

Broker

Dream

Operate

Complain

Correct answer:

Complain

Explanation:
"Ventilate" is defined as giving utterance or expression to one's emotions, opinions, or complaints. This is similar to "complain."
 

Example Question #634 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COMPREHEND

Possible Answers:

Impoverish

Understand

Confuse

Baffle

Correct answer:

Understand

Explanation:

To "comprehend" information is to understand or make sense of it. If you find that a certain school subject is extremely easy, you likely "comprehend" most of the facts and explanations given in the class. "Understand" is the clear choice here. "Baffle" and "confuse" each related to not being able to understand something, so neither can be the correct answer. "Impoverish" is a verb that means make poor; therefore, it is not a relevant answer.

Example Question #635 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RELINQUISH

Possible Answers:

Apply

Renounce

Give

Excel

Correct answer:

Renounce

Explanation:

"Relinquish" means surrender or begrudgingly give an object to someone else, so the answer choice closest in meaning to "relinquish" is "renounce," a verb that means forswear or give something up. Considering the other choices, none are close in meaning to "relinquish": "apply" means put to use or request in a formal application; "excel" means be extremely good at; and "give" means hand something to someone or transfer an object to someone else's possession, often with no expectation of reciprocal gain.

Example Question #636 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROHIBIT

Possible Answers:

Forbid

Condone

Allow

Neglect

Correct answer:

Forbid

Explanation:

When an action is "prohibited," it is made illegal or otherwise forbidden by an authority (the law, your parents, a teacher, etc.). It is clear that "forbid" is the proper synonym. Of the remaining answer choices, "allow" is an antonym, since an activity that is allowed is not forbidden. "Condone" similarly refers to the acceptance of a behavior, though it is generally used in regard to behaviors that are considered negative. Finally, to "neglect" a person or activity is to ignore or abandon it, so this term is also incorrect.

Example Question #637 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GRANT

Possible Answers:

Debase

Corroborate

Found

Fabricate

Allow

Correct answer:

Allow

Explanation:

The definition that is closest in meaning to "grant" is "allow," since "grant," when used as a verb, means give or permit.

Example Question #638 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of “empower” is __________.

Possible Answers:

disobey

prohibit

authorize

hurry

engage

Correct answer:

authorize

Explanation:

“Empower” is a verb that can mean either “to give power to” or “make a person stronger and more confident.” That means that “prohibit” cannot be the correct answer, because “prohibit” means “formally forbid,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “empower.” “Authorize,” however, is a verb that means “give official permission,” and because “authorize” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “empower,” “authorize” is the correct answer.

Example Question #639 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: choose the word closest in meaning to the word in question.

REVERE
Possible Answers:

Respect

Backward

Keen

Swerve

Personify

Correct answer:

Respect

Explanation:
If you at first do not recognize the word "revere," think of other words that are similar, like "reverence." When you hold something in reverence, you hold it in great respect and awe, so it makes sense that "revere," being the verbal form of "reverence," means to hold in great respect and awe. If you did not look at the question closely and thought the word in question was "reverse," you might have picked "backward," as "backward" is a synonym of "reverse." However, "backward" is very distant in meaning from "revere," so it cannot be the correct answer. Considering the rest of the potential answers, "keen" is an adjective while "revere" is a verb, so "keen" cannot be the correct answer. "Personify" is a verb that means represent, while swerve is a verb that means to turn sharply, so neither of these answers can be correct, either. "Respect," however, is a verb that means esteem or admire, and because "respect" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "revere," "respect" is the correct answer.
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