ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #35 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

TOIL

Possible Answers:

Inquire

Work

Annoy

Proceed

Labor

Correct answer:

Labor

Explanation:

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 #36 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

CHIDE

Possible Answers:

Recall

Antagonize

Beat

Scold

Irritate

Correct answer:

Scold

Explanation:

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 #37 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

PEDDLE

Possible Answers:

Sell

Exercise

Move

Impress

Progress

Correct answer:

Sell

Explanation:

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.

Example Question #38 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

CULTIVATE

Possible Answers:

Adore

Complicate

Pastoral

Refine

Rural

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 #39 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

TAUNT

Possible Answers:

Ridicule

Despise

Dislike

Fraternize

Fulminate

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 #40 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

BERATE

Possible Answers:

Rebuke

Correct

Interrogate

Amend

Suggest

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 #591 : Synonyms

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

BELITTLE

Possible Answers:

Shrink

Criticize

Scold

Decline

Disparage

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 #592 : Synonyms

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

NECESSITATE

Possible Answers:

Conjoin

Legalize

Require

Enforce

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 #593 : Synonyms

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

REPARATION

Possible Answers:

Retaliation

Compensation

Legislation

Taxation

Injury

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 #594 : Synonyms

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

PRIORITIZE

Possible Answers:

Alleviate

Acclaim

Order

Overlook

Laud

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.

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