All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
USURP
abolish
truncate
seize
donate
settle
seize
"Usurp" means to take without permission. "Truncate" is incorrect because it means to reduce, "donate" means to give away, and abolish means to get rid of. "Seize" is the only possible answer choice, which means to take.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
OBVIATE
pulverize
quip
preclude
scrutinize
ruffle
preclude
"Obviate" and "preclude" both mean to make unnecessary. "Pulverize" means to smash or destroy. "Quip" means to make a witty remark or retort. "Ruffle" means to upset or irritate. "Scrutinize" means to examine closely.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
JEOPARDIZE
imperil
incite
garner
jettison
warp
imperil
"Jeopardize" and "imperil" both mean to put at risk or in danger. "Jettison" means to eject or expel. "Garner" means to collect or accumulate. "Incite" means provoke or inspire to action. "Warp" means to distort or cause to be misshapen.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ESCHEW
ignore
overlook
spurn
forgo
disdain
forgo
The word “eschew” is a rather strange English word meaning to avoid the use of (something) or to forgo the use of. For instance, it would be used in a sentence like, “Since Harold had allergic reactions to all kinds of strawberries, he chose to eschew them entirely, rather than risk any contact with the potentially deadly fruits.”
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EASE
intuition
cater
angst
mitigate
juxtapose
mitigate
The crucial thing to realize when approaching this problem is that "ease" can function either as a noun or as a verb. We have both nouns and verbs listed in the possible answer choices, so it's important to consider each of the word's different meanings. As a noun, "ease" means a lack of difficulty; neither "angst" nor "intuition" match that meaning. As a verb, "ease" means lessen the severity of something bad. As "mitigate" means cause to become less severe, it is the best answer choice.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MITIGATE
Assuage
Rouse
Aggravate
Inure
Anodize
Assuage
"Mitigate" and "assuage" both mean to diminish or lighten. "Aggravate" means to annoy or irritate. "Rouse" means to wake or stimulate. "Anodize" means to gild or encrust. "Inure" means to accustom or acclimate.
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
USURP
Repine
Stipulate
Supplant
Recant
Relinquish
Supplant
"Usurp" and "supplant" both mean to take over. "Recant" means to take back something said. "Relinquish" means to give up or let go. "Repine" means to complain or fret. "Stipulate" means to decide on conditions.
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SUSTAIN
Kindle
Crumble
Bumble
Break
Suffer
Suffer
"Sustain" is a verb with a variety of meanings, including "strengthen or support physically or mentally," "cause to continue or be prolonged for an extended period or without interruption," "undergo or suffer something unpleasant, especially an injury," or "uphold, affirm, or confirm the justice or validity of." Neither "crumble" nor "break" can be the correct answer because each word is an antonym of the second meaning of "sustain," "cause to continue or be prolonged for an extended period or without interruption." "Suffer," however, is synonymous with the third meaning of "sustain," "undergo or suffer something unpleasant, especially an injury." Because "suffer" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "sustain," it is the correct answer.
Example Question #2271 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PROPITIATE
Forge
Unearth
Appease
Enclose
Approach
Appease
The word “propitiate” comes from the same Latin root from which we get the word “propitious,” meaning “favorable,” as in, “He quit his job in the most propitious circumstances, for the market for his skills was greatly in demand at very high rates of pay.” To “propitiate” is to do an action for the gods, as though one were sacrificing to please or calm them—in the hopes of attaining favorable circumstances. Therefore, the word is synonymous with “appease.”
Example Question #2272 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ERR
Correct
Quit
Breathe
Tinker
Blunder
Blunder
"Err" is a verb that means to make a mistake. The choice that makes the most sense here is "blunder," since when used as a verb, it shares a similar meaning - to make a mistake. Considering the other choices, "breathe" means to inhale and exhale air, "correct" means to fix a mistake, and "tinker" means to work to fix something without having any skill.
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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
