ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #371 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CULTIVATE

Possible Answers:

Complicate

Refine

Adore

Rural

Pastoral

Correct answer:

Refine

Explanation:

The word "cultivate" is often used to describe the activities undertaken to prepare and nurture the land for the growing of plants, but it can also be used to describe any process of developing something, especially a skill that a person might have. Thus, someone can "cultivate his or her mind" by reading more. The only acceptable option among the given words is "refine." When someone "refines" his or her mind, he or she improves it and makes it better. Do not be tricked by options like "rural" and "pastoral." These are trying to trick you into picking words that are related to farming only in an indirect manner.

Example Question #372 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TAUNT

Possible Answers:

Fraternize

Despise

Fulminate

Ridicule

Dislike

Correct answer:

Ridicule

Explanation:

Likely, you know that taunt means to tease. It is possible that several of the options, like "dislike" and "despise" are tempting. Sometimes a person may taunt another person because he or she does not like the person he or she is teasing, but neither of these options are strict synonyms for "taunt." Instead, the best option is "ridicule", which means to mock or to make laughable. (The word comes from the Latin for to laugh. Think about something that is ridiculous—it is certainly an amusing thing!)

Example Question #373 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BERATE

Possible Answers:

Amend

Rebuke

Correct

Suggest

Interrogate

Correct answer:

Rebuke

Explanation:

When someone berates another person, he or she scolds him or her very strongly. The intensity is a key part of the meaning of the word, so "correct," "amend," and "suggest" are all too weak of words to function as synonyms. The only option that makes sense (and is quite correct, being almost a literal synonym) is "rebuke." To "rebuke" someone is to critique that person strongly for what he or she does.

Example Question #374 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BELITTLE

Possible Answers:

Scold

Disparage

Criticize

Shrink

Decline

Correct answer:

Disparage

Explanation:

Now, it is not without reason that the word "belittle" has "little" in it, but you must be careful. It is about making a person feel smaller and of less worth. It is not about making something to be physically smaller. Thus, the best option for this is "disparage," which is almost an exact synonym. (Notice, that "belittle" does not have "criticize" or "scold" as good synonyms either. While scolding and criticizing can be used to belittle someone, these are not synonymous with belittling. The essence of belittling someone is making that person feel less important.)

Example Question #375 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NECESSITATE

Possible Answers:

Require

Legalize

Enforce

Conjoin

Follow

Correct answer:

Require

Explanation:

The word "necessitate" clearly is related to necessary. It is used to describe how one thing leads to another thing being necessary. Thus, a given choice may end up necessitating further actions to be taken in response to it. For instance, we could say, "The deep gash in Peter's hand necessitated immediate action to stop the bleeding." All of this is the same as saying that something that necessitates requires something else to be done. Thus, the sentence above could be translated, "The deep gash in Peter's hand required immediate action to stop the bleeding."

Example Question #43 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

REPARATION

Possible Answers:

Injury

Legislation

Taxation

Compensation

Retaliation

Correct answer:

Compensation

Explanation:

"Reparation" is a kind of repayment made to someone because of wrongs done to that person. It is of the essence of reparation to be a repayment—this is quite important. The only option that expresses this idea of repaying is "compensation," which is a kind of payment given in return for something, usually for damages or injuries caused.

Example Question #376 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRIORITIZE

Possible Answers:

Overlook

Order

Alleviate

Laud

Acclaim

Correct answer:

Order

Explanation:

The word "prioritize" is clearly related to "prior," which means coming before something else. When we prioritize things, we place them before less important matters; however, the word "prioritize" can be used in general to indicate the activity involved in setting the relative importance of many things. Thus, to "prioritize the tasks" means to put them in order (according to priority, of course). Thus, it is acceptable to choose something like "order" for a synonym here. Do not be tempted by options "laud" or "acclaim," which mean to praise. Just because we often like what we prioritize, this does not mean that the word means the same thing as the actual act of praising.

Example Question #378 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RESCIND

Possible Answers:

Cancel

Placate

Inspect

Contend

Order

Correct answer:

Cancel

Explanation:

To "rescind" something means to repeal, to cancel. To provide further help, "contend" means to argue something is the truth; "placate" means sooth, calm

Example Question #377 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ALLURING

Possible Answers:

Responsible

Cute

Unstable

Concerning

Deliberate

Correct answer:

Cute

Explanation:

"Alluring" is an adjective that means beautiful or attractive. The best choice is "cute," since it means attractive. Considering the other choices, "concerning" means causing worry, "unstable" means constantly changing states of being, "responsible" means able to be relied upon to complete tasks, and "deliberate" means done on purpose or working carefully.

Example Question #378 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DULCET

Possible Answers:

Delicious

Mellifluous

Ambiguous

Simple

Soft

Correct answer:

Mellifluous

Explanation:

The word "dulcet" is an adjective that means sweet and calming and is used to describe sounds and music. The best choice is the word "mellifluous," as it means sweet-sounding. Considering the other choices, "simple" means not complicated, "delicious" mean tasting very good, "soft" means having a fuzzy texture, and "ambiguous" means having multiple ways in which the meaning of something could be interpreted.

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