ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1141 : Synonyms

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

RAZE

Possible Answers:

Amplify

Lift

Forget

Destroy

Coddle

Correct answer:

Destroy

Explanation:

Do not quickly misread this question. The word "raze" is not the same as "raise." The options try to trick you into choosing "lift" or "amplify". When someone "raises" his or her hand, he or she lifts it. Likewise, amplification is the making of something louder—that is, "raising the volume." However, "raze" means to utterly destroy, as when a city is "razed" by an army. Thus, the best option is "destroy."

Example Question #1142 : Synonyms

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

HAMPER

Possible Answers:

Obstruct

Pollute

Dry

Facilitate

Intensify

Correct answer:

Obstruct

Explanation:

"Hamper" is a verb meaning to block or obstruct. "Facilitate" and "intensity" are both antonyms to "hamper," meaning it has the opposite meaning. 

Example Question #1143 : Synonyms

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

AMEND

Possible Answers:

Modify

Cease

Corporal

Create

Transport

Correct answer:

Modify

Explanation:

"Amend" is a verb meaning to change or modify. For example: "Since they were not to our liking, we asked to AMEND the class rules."

To "cease" doing something is to stop doing that thing. To "create" something is to make that thing (referring to a new thing). "Corporal" refers to a militaristic or strict manner of doing something (eg. "corporal punishment"). To "transport" something is to move that thing from one place to another.

Example Question #1144 : Synonyms

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

RECUPERATE

Possible Answers:

Discover

Recover

Uncover

Hold

Touch

Correct answer:

Recover

Explanation:

To "recuperate" means to rest and recover from something like an illness. To provide further help, "uncover" means reveal, show; "discover" means find

Example Question #1145 : Synonyms

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

ENSNARE

Possible Answers:

Urge

Convene

Assist

Trap

Liberate

Correct answer:

Trap

Explanation:

To "ensnare" something means to trap it. To provide further help, "urge" means beg, plead; "convene" means meet; "assist" means help; "liberate" means free. "Liberate" and "ensnare" are antonyms because they have opposite meanings.

Example Question #1146 : Synonyms

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

TAPER

Possible Answers:

Admonish

Flourish

Thrive

Dwindle

Shirk

Correct answer:

Dwindle

Explanation:

"Taper" means to diminish or reduce in size or impact, to dwindle. To provide further help, "admonish" means yell at, scold; "shirk" means avoid a responsibility; "thrive" and "flourish" are synonyms, both words means to grow and develop very well

Example Question #1147 : Synonyms

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

AFFECT

Possible Answers:

Consequence

Demonstrate

Influence

Onset

Startle

Correct answer:

Influence

Explanation:

To "affect" something means to have an impact on, to influence, to change. One of the more challenging differentiations in definitions that English speakers have to deal with can be found in "affect" and "effect." To "affect" means to influence; the "effect" is the result, the consequence. So, you "affect" something to produce an "effect." To provide further help, "onset" means beginning; "demonstrate" means show, provide an example; "startle" means to shock or surprise

Example Question #1148 : Synonyms

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

FUMBLE

Possible Answers:

Pass

Control

Catch

Drop

Gift

Correct answer:

Drop

Explanation:

To "fumble" means to drop something, to do something careless and clumsy with one's hands

Example Question #1149 : Synonyms

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

WRENCH

Possible Answers:

Shove

Tug

Jest

Loathe

Leap

Correct answer:

Tug

Explanation:

To "wrench" means to pull suddenly or violently, to tug, to yank. To provide further help, "loathe" means hate; "jest" means joke; "leap" means jump high

Example Question #1150 : Synonyms

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

UPROOT

Possible Answers:

Dismember

Encroach

Succumb

Displace

Demise

Correct answer:

Displace

Explanation:

To "uproot" means to force someone from their home, or place they are comfortable in, and make them move elsewhere. To provide further help, "dismember" means take apart; "encroach" means trespass, intrude on another person's property; "succumb" means give in to, fail to resist; "demise" means death.

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