All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #361 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INSTIGATE
Derive
Supervise
Question
Incite
Halt
Incite
The word “instigate” comes from Latin roots meaning to stick into (like putting a pin into something). When we instigate someone or something, we attempt to bring it into reality. To “instigate” a revolt is to attempt to start a revolt. Such activities could also be called “inciting,” which means to arouse to action or to encourage to do something, often implying that the encouraging is done with rhetoric and for bad ends. This is by far the best option.
Example Question #362 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DEFER
Blunder
Postpone
Mollify
Vex
Flourish
Postpone
Since "defer" means "to put off an action or event until a later time," we're looking for an adjective that means something like "delay." While "vex" sounds like it could potentially be correct, "vex" actually means "make someone feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, esp. with trivial matters," so it's not a synonym of "defer." "Postpone" is the best answer choice, as it means "cause or arrange for something to take place at a later time than first scheduled."
Example Question #25 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ABATE
Disown
Spurn
Diminish
Leave
Reject
Diminish
The word “abate” most directly means to become less intense. For instance, one could say, “Although Robert was quite angry at his friends, with time, this emotion abated, being replaced with a much calmer state of mind.” In its English origins, the word had a legal usage meaning to put a stop to. Since “abate” distantly has a root in the Latin for to beat, the word could be taken (in a broader sense) as indicating the beating back of something intense.
Example Question #191 : Synonyms: Verbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ENGENDER
Demonstrate
Alleviate
Mismanage
Create
Ridicule
Create
“Engender” means cause, create, or be the cause of, so "create" is the best answer choice. As for the other answer choices, “alleviate” means lessen the intensity of something bad; “demonstrate” means show how something is done by doing it oneself; “ridicule” means make fun of; and “mismanage” means manage poorly or mess up.
Example Question #361 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BUNGLE
Announce
Depreciate
Mismanage
Deplore
Consider
Mismanage
To “bungle” something means to mess it up or "mismanage" it. As for the other answer choices, “deplore” means hate; “depreciate” means decrease in worth; "consider" means think about carefully; and "announce" means declare information publicly for the first time.
Example Question #362 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
COMMEND
Falsify
Suggest
Instruct
Require
Laud
Laud
The word "commend" is found in the very familiar word "recommend." Though we usually use this latter word to mean to suggest, it means even more properly to suggest with praise and approval. The word "commend" means to praise. To "recommend" someone is to praise him or her again—to someone else, perhaps. To "laud" someone is to praise him or her. When someone graduates "cum laude," he or she graduates with praise.
Example Question #363 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ENDURE
Die
Vanish
Survive
Harm
Entreat
Survive
The word "endure" can have several meanings. One common use means to suffer or undergo. Thus, we say that someone endures massive pain after a surgery. Another use of the word can be, to keep on existing. Thus, we say, "The building endured through many storms." This means, "It continued existing through many storms." Thus, among the options provided, the best is "survive." Do not be tempted by words like "die" or "harm", which tempt you to be confused because of the first meaning discussed above.
Example Question #364 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TOIL
Work
Inquire
Labor
Proceed
Annoy
Labor
This question is not necessarily very hard, for the word "toil" is rather common; however, the two options "labor" and "work" might make you think that neither of these are correct, for they appear to be synonymous. Don't let this fact trick you! To "toil" means to work hard at something. Technically, the word "labor" implies difficult physical work. Thus, it is a slightly better option than "work." Therefore, this is the best option among those provided. Do not go searching for another option out of confusion over the two options "labor" and "work."
Example Question #365 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CHIDE
Beat
Recall
Antagonize
Irritate
Scold
Scold
When a parent chides his or her child, he or she scolds the little one. Thus, we could say, "Bob chided his daughter for staying up past her bed time." Of course, two adults could also chide each other: "Gertrude chided Wilfred for his carelessness with the mail delivery." Thus, the best option among those given is "scold", which is basically a direct definition of the word "chide".
Example Question #366 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PEDDLE
Exercise
Progress
Sell
Move
Impress
Sell
Do not confuse "peddle" with "pedal." This might make you think of biking or other such fun activities! That is not what you are looking for in this question. Instead, the word "peddle" means to sell. It indicates either the kind of selling done by door-to-door salespeople or a kind of illegal selling that happens when, for example, someone attempts to sell stolen goods to someone else. The simple option "sell" is fine for this question, as none of the other options are close to being correct.
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor