All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding
Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FLATTER:
criticize
scold
disagree
accept
compliment
compliment
If someone flatters someone or something, it means that they compliment or praise that person or thing.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding
Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ASSERT:
contradict
assume
declare
dignify
praise
declare
If someone makes an assertion, it means that they make a declaration or declare something in particular.
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding
A synonym of "ascertain" is __________.
deduce
forget
portray
kindle
ingest
deduce
"Ascertain" is a verb that means "find something out for certain; make sure of." So, "forget" cannot be the correct answer, because it means the opposite of "ascertain." "Deduce," however, is a verb that means "arrive at a fact or a conclusion by reasoning; draw as a logical conclusion," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "ascertain," it is the correct answer.
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding
A synonym of "acknowledge" is __________.
deny
limit
persuade
admit
undo
admit
"Acknowledge" is a verb that can mean "accept or admit the existence or truth of," "recognize the fact or importance or quality of," or "show that one has noticed or recognized (someone) by making a gesture or greeting." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "accept," "recognize the importance of," or "show that one has noticed or recognized someone." "Deny," then, cannot be the correct answer because "deny" means " state that one refuses to admit the truth or existence of," making it an antonym of the first meaning of "acknowledge," not a synonym. "Admit," however, is a verb that can mean "confess to be true or to be the case, typically with reluctance," and because "admit" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "acknowledge," "admit" is the correct answer.
Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding
A synonym of "consider" is __________.
deem
rewind
carry
ignore
limit
deem
"Consider" is a verb that can mean "think carefully about (something), typically before making a decision," "regard (someone or something) as having a specified quality," or "believe; think." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "think carefully about," "regard," or "believe." So, "ignore" cannot be the correct answer because "ignore" is an antonym, not a synonym, of "think carefully about." "Deem," however, is a verb that means "regard or consider in a specified way," and because "deem" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "consider," "deem" is the correct answer.
Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding
A synonym of "enlighten" is __________.
grant
wallow
inform
yell
mistake
inform
"Enlighten" is a verb that can mean "give (someone) greater knowledge and understanding about a subject or situation" or "give (someone) spiritual knowledge or insight." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "give someone greater knowledge" or "give someone spiritual knowledge." "Mistake" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "mistake," when used as a verb, means "be wrong about," not "give someone greater knowledge." "Inform," however, is a verb that means "give (someone) facts or information; tell," and because "inform" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "enlighten," "inform" is the correct answer.
Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding
A synonym of “interrogate” is __________.
desist
memorize
enlarge
reply
question
question
“Interrogate” is a verb that means “ask questions of someone aggressively or formally,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “ask questions of someone aggressively.” That means that “reply” cannot be the correct answer, because “reply” means “say something in response to something someone has said” when used as a verb, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “interrogate.” “Question,” however, is a word that can mean “ask questions, especially in an official context” when used as a verb, and because “question” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “interrogate,” “question” is the correct answer.
Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding
A synonym of “persuade” is __________.
mean
hold
discourage
tremble
coax
coax
“Persuade” is a verb that can mean “to convince someone,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “reason with someone to change their beahvior.” That means that “discourage” cannot be the correct answer, because “discourage” can mean “cause to lose confidence,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “persuade.” “Coax,” however, is a verb that means “to persuade someone gently,” and because “coax” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “persuade,” “coax” is the correct answer.
Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding
A synonym of “bicker” is __________.
disengage
isolate
concur
squabble
adjust
squabble
“Bicker” is a verb that means “ argue trivial things,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “argue.” That means that “concur” cannot be the correct answer, because “concur” can mean “agree,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “bicker.” “Squabble,” however, when used as a verb, means “quarrel over trivial things,” and because “squabble” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “bicker,” “squabble” is the correct answer.
Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Verbs
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
CONTEND
Challenge
Question
Assume
Hide
Challenge
The word "contend" means to challenge or to compete. "Challenge" is the best choice as it is a part of the definition of "contend" and is often used as a synonym for it.
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