All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #401 : Synonyms
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
STYMIE
abjure
feint
inveigle
explicate
thwart
thwart
"Stymie" and "thwart" both mean to frustrate or hinder. "Explicate" means to clarify or explain. "Abjure" means to give up. "Feint" means a pretense or ruse. "Inveigle" means to entice or manipulate.
Example Question #402 : Synonyms
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
SPURN
extirpate
solicit
sanction
amalgamate
repudiate
repudiate
"Spurn" and "repudiate" both mean to turn away or ignore. "Sanction" means an embargo or punishment. "Solicit" means to plead for or to try to sell. "Amalgamate" means to blend or consolidate. "Extirpate" means to destroy or uproot.
Example Question #403 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
QUIBBLE
Concur
Whet
Importune
Bicker
Denigrate
Bicker
"Quibble" and "bicker" both mean to disagree over a minor point. "Concur" means to agree or approve. "Denigrate" means to belittle or malign. "Importune" means to demand or insist. "Whet" means to make sharp or hone.
Example Question #404 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BELABOR
Atone
Suborn
Doff
Rehash
Slake
Rehash
"Belabor" and "rehash" both mean to dwell on. "Slake" means to decrease or assuage. "Doff" means to remove or discard. "Suborn" means to bribe. "Atone" means to compensate or make amends.
Example Question #405 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SPURN
Rebuff
Verify
Accept
Manage
Consider
Rebuff
"Spurn" is a verb that means "reject with disdain or contempt." So, "accept" cannot be the correct answer, because it is an antonym of "spurn," not a synonym. "Rebuff," a word that when used as a verb means "reject someone or something in an abrupt or ungracious manner," is the answer choice closest in meaning to "spurn," so "rebuff" is the correct answer.
Example Question #406 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PLACATE
Position
Appease
Provoke
Enjoy
Satisfy
Appease
The word “placate” is related distantly to “to please,” but it most properly means “to please someone in order to calm him or her.” Consider its use in an example sentence: “Although the worker had been quite angry about his low pay, the promise of a raise managed to placate his rage.” The word “appease” does not merely mean “to please,” but even more properly means “to soothe the demands of someone.”
Example Question #406 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
RECOGNIZE
Forget
See
Formulate
Recollect
Think
Recollect
The word "recognize" means to identify as something previously known. The best choice here is "recollect" because is shares a similar meaning—to remember. Considering the other choices, the word "forget" is an antonym of "recognize" that means to be let slip from one's memory, "think" means consider, and "see" means look at and notice.
Example Question #401 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MANDATE
Inure
Manage
Oppress
Consist
Order
Order
"Mandate" is a word that when used as a verb means to order or demand. "Order" is the best choice here since it is a part of the definition of "mandate." Considering the other choices, "inure" means to toughen, "manage" means to take care of, and "oppress" means to subdue with restraints.
Example Question #402 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SHOUT
Whisper
Warn
Shriek
Instill
Corroborate
Shriek
"Shout" is a verb that means to cry out loudly. "Shriek" is the best answer choice, since it shares a similar definition—to utter a loud cry. Considering the other choices, "whisper" is an antonym that means to speak with soft, hushed sounds, "warn" means to give notice of, "instill" means to slowly foster in someone, and "corroborate" means attest to the truth of.
Example Question #403 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LAMENT
Cry
Plaster
Derive
Lay
Slight
Cry
The word "lament" is a verb that means to express great sorrow. The best choice is "cry," since it has a related meaning—to utter sounds in an expression of grief or sorrow. Considering the other choices, "lay" means to put in a horizontal position, "plaster" means to stick on a wall or to cover with something, "derive" means to logically arrive at one thing based on one's knowledge of another thing, and "slight," when used as a verb, means to insult.
All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
