All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #821 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
AVERT
Irate
Desist
Prevent
Abrasive
Suppress
Prevent
“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 #822 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
APPROVE
Accept
Ruin
Bash
Ignore
Accept
"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 #823 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
BARTER
Sneak
Sidle
Borrow
Rent
Exchange
Exchange
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 #824 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SQUANDER
Quell
Tamper
Cease
Flourish
Waste
Waste
"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 #825 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ACQUIRE
Release
Abstain
Ask
Obtain
Reverse
Obtain
To "acquire" means to get, obtain, or buy, so "obtain" is the synonym.
Example Question #826 : Identifying Synonyms
A synonym of "usurp" is . . .
approve
mandate
handle
seize
oversee
seize
"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 #827 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
RATIFY
invalidate
embark
endorse
prototype
goad
endorse
"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 #828 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
DRUDGE
Play
Begrudge
Toil
Pull
Dig
Toil
"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 #1190 : Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
SPEARHEAD
Follow
Trample
Lead
March
Lead
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 #1191 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BUNGLE
Dance
Ruin
Tie
Convince
Advertise
Ruin
"Bungle" means to carry out a task clumsily, ruining the outcome.
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor
All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
