All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #71 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BLEND
Progress
Separation
Mixture
Activity
Mixture
As a noun, "blend" refers to a combination or mixture; as a verb, it means mix substances together. In any case, "mixture" is the best choice here. "Separation," or the act of moving parts away from each other, is the opposite of the correct synonym. "Progress" and "activity" are unrelated.
Example Question #72 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ESTIMATE
Intrigue
Defer
Yield
Pinpoint
Approximate
Approximate
"Estimate" is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the potential answer choices are verbs, we will need to consider it as a verb. When used as a verb, "estimate" means "roughly calculate or judge the value, number, quantity, or extent of," so we need to pick out a verb that means something like "roughly calculate." So, "pinpoint" cannot be the correct answer, because when used as a verb, "pinpoint" means "find or locate exactly," which is not close in meaning to "roughly calculate." "Approximate," however, is a word that when used as a verb, means either "come close or be similar to something in quality, nature, or quantity" or "estimate or calculate (a quantity) fairly accurately." Because "approximate" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "estimate," "approximate" is the correct answer.
Example Question #73 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MODERATE
Lessen
Welcoming
Scary
Encourage
Extreme
Lessen
While "moderate" can be taken to mean an adjective meaning middling, average, or intermediate, it can also be used as a verb meaning diminish or make less. If you moderate your anger, for instance, you calm down and become less angry. Based on this definition, the correct answer is "lessen."
Example Question #74 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AVERAGE
Mean
Expense
Uncertain
Talent
Fragile
Mean
The word “average” is often used as an adjective meaning of middling quality in a given group. However, the word can also be used as a noun meaning mathematical mean. The correct answer to this question requires you to recognize this secondary definition, as "fantastic" is far from meaning of middling quality and can't be the correct answer.
Example Question #111 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CONTEST
Question
Fret
Regain
Pull
Babble
Question
The word "contest" has multiple meanings, one of which is a clash between two entities. (This one is pronounced "CON-test.") It can also be used as a verb ("con-TEST") that means to dispute or question a decision and ask that it be reconsidered. "Question" is thus the correct answer.
Example Question #112 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FUNCTION
Steal
Demand
Lose
Break
Work
Work
"Function" can be used as either a noun or a verb. When used as a noun, "function" means purpose; when used as a verb, "function" means work properly. So, "work" is the correct answer. “Demand” means forcefully ask or say something has to be done.
Example Question #113 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ASSAULT
Humiliate
Jump
Slander
Offend
Attack
Attack
Do not confuse the word "assault" with "insult." A number of the wrong options are meant to tempt you to make this mistake. Do not fall for it! The word "assault" means to attack physically, or merely to attack. An army can assault a city, and a person can assault another person. In both cases, we are referring to some kind of physical attack. Sometimes, the word is used in a secondary sense to describe any kind of attack, like a "verbal assault." Still, the general meaning that is retained is that of attacking. Therefore, the best option among those provided is "attack."
Example Question #114 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRATTLE
Leap
Enunciate
Dictate
Consider
Jabber
Jabber
“Prattle” is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the potential answer choices are verbs, we will need to consider “prattle” as a verb. When used as a verb, “prattle” means “talk at length in a foolish way,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “talk in a foolish way.” That means that “enunciate” cannot be the correct answer, because while “prattle” and “enunciate” both have to do with speech, “enunciate” means “say or pronounce clearly.” So, because “enunciate” is very distant in meaning from “prattle,” it cannot be the correct answer. “Jabber,” however, is a word that means “talk rapidly about nonsense” when used as a verb, and because “jabber” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “prattle,” “jabber” is the correct answer.
Example Question #115 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
WHIRL
Windmill
Dodge
Whole
Linear
Spin
Spin
To "whirl" means to turn around in a circle quickly and repeatedly, so "spin," which also means turn around in a circle quickly and repeatedly, is the correct answer.
Example Question #116 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
NOBLE
Unforeseen
Honorable
Wealthy
Politician
Ruler
Honorable
The word "noble" has several meanings. It can be used as a noun for a particular class of people. The "nobles" are a class of people who inherit rights from their parents, often in older countries in Europe. The "nobles" or "nobility" include dukes, barons, and other kinds of people like this. (They are sometimes called the "gentry"—sort of like "gentlemen".) They are not necessarily rulers. Therefore, we need to look for another meaning for "noble."
The word can also be used as an adjective. Among the meanings of this use of "noble," we find "honorable" or "virtuous." In these cases, we would say things like, "He was a noble man who helped all of his friends in need," or, "I gave my money to a noble cause to help the poor." Therefore, the best option is "honorable", not "politician" or "ruler." (Even "wealthy" is wrong. Someone can be a noble but not necessarily be wealthy—though the two often go together.)
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