ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1081 : Synonyms

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

LINGER

Possible Answers:

Bother

Vanish

Encourage

Remain

Prolong

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.

Example Question #1082 : Synonyms

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

DWINDLE

Possible Answers:

Enhance

Shrink 

Ailing

Augment

Rejuvenating 

Correct answer:

Shrink 

Explanation:

“Dwindle” means to shrink or reduce, to make smaller. To provide further help, “augment” means enhance, add to in order to make better; “ailing” means sick or hurt; “rejuvenating” means healing.

Example Question #1083 : Synonyms

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

FURL

Possible Answers:

Foreign 

Fold

Confer

Congeal

Fluctuate 

Correct answer:

Fold

Explanation:

“Furl” means to fold up. It is commonly heard in the expression “to unfurl,” which means to unfold, to reveal. To provide further help, “confer” means award, bestow, give; “congeal” means thicken or come together; “foreign” means from another country; “fluctuate” means vary.

Example Question #1084 : Synonyms

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

 

GARNER

Possible Answers:

Secure

Emit

Distribute

Gather

Extol

Correct answer:

Gather

Explanation:

To "garner" is to gather or assemble in one group, so the best answer choice is "gather." In regards to the other answer choices, "emit" means give off or produce; "distribute" means disperse or deal out, and "extol" is a verb that means praise.

Example Question #1085 : Synonyms

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

SCROUNGE

Possible Answers:

Seek

Threaten

Determine

Falsify

Deter

Correct answer:

Seek

Explanation:

To "scrounge" for something such as food is to actively look for it or "seek" it. This is different from the other word choices that mean the following: to "threaten" is to endanger; to "deter" is to discourage; and to "falsify" is to lie.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

MELT

Possible Answers:

Freeze

Thaw

Underestimate

Advocate

Cool

Correct answer:

Thaw

Explanation:

"Melt" means to be liquified by heat. This is similar to "thaw." 

Example Question #1086 : Synonyms

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

PURSUE

Possible Answers:

Follow

Annoy

Befriend

Escape

Correct answer:

Follow

Explanation:

The word "pursue" is a verb meaning follow or chase. Imagine that a man in front of you drops his wallet on the sidewalk. If you were to follow behind him to return the lost property, moving quickly and making sure not to lose sight of him, you would be "pursuing" the man. This word does not imply either the start of a new friendship or the act of irritating another, so "befriend" and "annoy" can be eliminated as answer choices. To "escape" means to get away or flee from a constraining situation, so this word is also incorrect.

Example Question #1087 : Synonyms

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

DWINDLE

Possible Answers:

Diminish

Imply

Deceive

Inflate

Rectify

Correct answer:

Diminish

Explanation:

"Dwindle" means decrease in size or amount, so "diminish" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "dwindle": "inflate" means increase or fill with gas or air; "deceive" means lie or trick; "rectify" is a verb that means correct or make right; and "imply" is a verb that means hint at or suggest without stating explicitly.

Example Question #1088 : Synonyms

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

RAZE

Possible Answers:

view

elevate

brighten

demolish

Correct answer:

demolish

Explanation:

"Raze" can be a tricky word because its homophone (a word that sounds the same but has a different meaning), "raise," means almost the exact opposite. To "raze" something means to destroy or demolish it. It is related to the word "razor," which means to remove by scraping.

Example Question #1089 : Synonyms

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

SLUMBER

Possible Answers:

Sleep

Climb

Drive

Travel

Rest

Correct answer:

Sleep

Explanation:

"Slumber," when used as a verb, means sleep or doze, so the answer closest in meaning to "slumber" is "sleep," which is a verb meaning be in a state of rest in which consciousness is suspended. Considering the other answer choices, none are as close in meaning to "slumber" as is "sleep": "travel" is a verb meaning transport oneself from one location to another, often in the context of a vacation; "drive" is a verb meaning operate an automobile, and "rest" is a verb meaning lay down and relax. While "rest" may seem close in meaning to "slumber," "slumber" specifically means "sleep," so "sleep" is the correct answer.

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