ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

AVERT

Possible Answers:

Suppress

Irate 

Prevent 

Abrasive

Desist 

Correct answer:

Prevent 

Explanation:

“Avert” means turn away or prevent. To provide further help, “desist” means stop; “abrasive” means rude; “irate” means angry; “suppress” means hold down, conceal

Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

APPROVE

Possible Answers:

Bash

Ignore

Ruin

Accept

Correct answer:

Accept

Explanation:

"Approve" is a verb that means accept or agree to, so the answer choice closest in meaning is "accept," a verb that means agree to. Considering the other answer choices, none are close in meaning to "approve": "reject," when used as a verb, means refuse to accept or deny; "bash," when used as a verb, means hit or pummel, especially in the case in which an object is used to do the hitting; and "ruin," when used as a verb, means destroy.

Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

BARTER

Possible Answers:

Borrow

Exchange

Sidle

Rent

Sneak

Correct answer:

Exchange

Explanation:

To "barter" is to trade or "exchange" one thing for another. The other words do not match the connotation of "barter" as well. "Renting" indicates borrowing; "sneaking" is stealthily lurking around; and "sidling" is moving secretly.

Example Question #821 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SQUANDER

Possible Answers:

Cease

Flourish

Tamper

Waste

Quell

Correct answer:

Waste

Explanation:

"Squander" means waste or spend unwisely, so "waste" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "squander": "flourish" means succeed or thrive; "quell" means crush or suppress; "cease" means finish or stop; and "tamper" means interfere or disrupt.

Example Question #822 : Identifying Synonyms

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 #823 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "usurp" is . . .

Possible Answers:

approve

seize

handle

oversee

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 #824 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RATIFY

Possible Answers:

goad

embark

invalidate

endorse

prototype

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 #825 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DRUDGE

Possible Answers:

Pull

Begrudge

Dig

Toil

Play

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 #16 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

SPEARHEAD

Possible Answers:

Trample

Follow

March

Lead

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 #11 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

BUNGLE

Possible Answers:

Dance

Tie

Advertise

Convince

Ruin

Correct answer:

Ruin

Explanation:

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

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