ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1072 : Synonyms

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

ERODE

Possible Answers:

Build up

Gather together

Cancel

Wear away

Send away

Correct answer:

Wear away

Explanation:

"Erode" means to wear away, as in, “The waves breaking on the beach gradually eroded the cliff face, until the rocks started tumbling dangerously to the ground.” So, "wear away" is the correct answer.

Example Question #133 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

CATAPULT 

Possible Answers:

Hurl

Fall

Slide

Swim

Correct answer:

Hurl

Explanation:

A "catapult" is an ancient war machine that throws or hurls large objects, like boulders. So, to "catapult" something means to hurl or throw it, and "hurl" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1073 : Synonyms

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

MEANDER

Possible Answers:

Muse

Meek

Procrastinate

Confuse

Wander

Correct answer:

Wander

Explanation:

To "meander" means to wander in a winding, indirect way. Therefore, "wander" has the closest meaning to "meander" of the words provided.

Example Question #135 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

SHIRK

Possible Answers:

Demolish

Avoid

Warm

Shirt

Correct answer:

Avoid

Explanation:

The word "shirk" means avoid. The best choice is "avoid," as it is a part of the definition of "shirk."

Example Question #1074 : Synonyms

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

FALTER

Possible Answers:

Ironic 

Biased 

Accelerate 

Hesitate 

Catalyst 

Correct answer:

Hesitate 

Explanation:

To "falter" means to slow down, to delay, to hesitate. To further help you, "accelerate" means go faster; "ironic" means sarcastic, mocking the truth; "biased" means not able to think clearly, confined to one’s own opinions; a "catalyst" is a means by which a process begins or is accelerated.

Example Question #1075 : Synonyms

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

SCUTTLE

Possible Answers:

Spread

Run

Inure

Weaken

Correct answer:

Run

Explanation:

"Scuttle" means run quickly with small steps. The best choice is "run" because it is a part of the definition of "scuttle." Considering the other choices, "inure" means become useful to a person or group, "spread" means stretch out over a greater area, and "weaken" means make less strong.

Example Question #1076 : Synonyms

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

CAVORT

Possible Answers:

Encourage

Sing

Carve

Prance

Correct answer:

Prance

Explanation:

"Cavort" means jump about joyously. The best choice is "prance," which means jump about. Considering the other choices, "carve" means cut into a design or when referring to meat, cut into smaller slices suitable for eating, "encourage" means urge, and "sing" means perform a song.

Example Question #1077 : Synonyms

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

DOVETAIL

Possible Answers:

Contrast

Merge

Expand

Conceal

Emulate

Correct answer:

Merge

Explanation:

"Dovetail" means bring two things together or merge, so "merge" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices is close in meaning to "dovetail": "emulate" means copy or reproduce; "conceal" means hide; "contrast" means compare; and "expand" means grow or get bigger.

Example Question #1078 : Synonyms

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

STRUT

Possible Answers:

Fall

Sprint

Meander

Swagger

Jog

Correct answer:

Swagger

Explanation:

If you “strut” you walk with purpose and confidence. To "strut" is to swagger, so "swagger" is the correct answer. To provide further guidance, "sprint" means run quickly; "jog" means run slowly; "meander" means wander around without moving directly toward one's destination.

Example Question #1081 : Synonyms

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

LINGER

Possible Answers:

Vanish

Prolong

Encourage

Bother

Remain

Correct answer:

Remain

Explanation:

"Linger" means remain or be present or last for a time. For example, one might write, "The scent of the perfume lingered in the air." So, "remain" is the correct answer.

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