ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms: Determining Part of Speech

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

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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

Possible Answers:

Progress

Separation

Mixture

Activity

Correct answer:

Mixture

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Intrigue

Defer

Yield

Pinpoint

Approximate

Correct answer:

Approximate

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Lessen

Welcoming

Scary

Encourage

Extreme

Correct answer:

Lessen

Explanation:

While "moderate" can be taken to mean an adjective meaning middlingaverage, 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

Possible Answers:

Mean

Expense

Uncertain

Talent

Fragile

Correct answer:

Mean

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Question

Fret

Regain

Pull

Babble

Correct answer:

Question

Explanation:

The word "contesthas 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

Possible Answers:

Steal

Demand

Lose

Break

Work

Correct answer:

Work

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Humiliate

Jump

Slander

Offend

Attack

Correct answer:

Attack

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Leap

Enunciate

Dictate

Consider

Jabber

Correct answer:

Jabber

Explanation:

“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

Possible Answers:

Windmill

Dodge

Whole

Linear

Spin

Correct answer:

Spin

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Unforeseen

Honorable

Wealthy

Politician

Ruler

Correct answer:

Honorable

Explanation:

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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