All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #660 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BLEED
Seep
Sicken
Wound
Faint
Injure
Seep
The word "bleed" does of course have to do with blood and health often; however, it basically means "to flow." For example, people will "bleed" radiators to leave out extra air so that more water can enter them. The word "seep" expresses this kind of bleeding. Think of when you paint with water colors. They often can seep into each other. We almost naturally say, "The colors are bleeding into each other." This is the meaning we are looking for in this question!
Example Question #821 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OVERFLOW
Dredge
Flood
Push
Rise
Increase
Flood
When a body of water "overflows," it goes over the edges of its container. If you were to have the water overflow in your bathtub, it would spill out over the top of the tub. In order to "overflow" this kind of spilling is necessary - not just mere rising of water levels. Now, none of the options directly deals with this kind of spilling. However, the word "flood" does indicate what happens when some bodies of water overflow. Thus, since this is the only good option, you should choose it.
Example Question #822 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ASSEMBLE
Force
Collect
Worship
Shove
Preach
Collect
An "assembly" is a gathering of people. Do not let this lead you to think that "assemble" (or "assembly") only has to do with religious services. (We do use it in this sense regularly.) Several of the options try to make you choose options dealing with such particular kinds of assemblies. The general meaning of "assemble" is to gather together things into a group—whether you "assemble" people, toys, or other things. Thus, "collect" is the best option provided.
Example Question #661 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EMERGE
Appear
Jump
Fling
Delight
Frighten
Appear
The word "emerge" means to come out. Perhaps you know the word "submerge," which means to go under. The prefix "sub-" means under, and the prefix "e-" means out of. (Sometimes, this prefix is "ex-".) Thus, we can say that "appear" is a synonym for "emerge." For example, you can say, "He emerged into sight after being in hiding." This means that the person appeared in sight.
Example Question #662 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ESCALATE
Deliver
Step
Move
Increase
Change
Increase
You likely have seen an "escalator" in a store. These are moving stairs that go up and down mechanically. The word "escalate" means to increase or become more intense. Whenever we say, "The violence in the area escalated," we mean, It became more violent in that area. Thus, the only option that is a good synonym is "increase."
Example Question #663 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DIMINISH
Destroy
Lessen
Expand
Fulfill
Overturn
Lessen
The word "diminish" comes from roots meaning to become smaller. You can see in it the "-min-" root that is used in words like "miniature" and "mini." Therefore, the only option that is correct is "lessen." Whenever we "lessen" the strength of something, we make it weaker. That is, we make it "smaller" in strength.
Example Question #664 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CREASE
Fold
Twist
Flatten
Allot
Burn
Fold
A "crease" is a fold in something. It can be in a piece of paper or in someone's clothes. The verb "to crease" merely indicates the action of making such a fold. Â
Example Question #665 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MANUFACTURE
Detail
Sell
Design
Produce
Pollute
Produce
The word "manufacture" actually comes from roots meaning to make with one's hands. Something is "manual" when it is able to be done or used with a hand. Even the little books that we call "manuals" are give this name because they are small enough to fit in a hand. The second half of the word means to do or make. This "-fact-" root is used in many words in English. Thus, the best option is "produce." A manufacturer is someone who produces a product. The verb "to manufacture" describes the process of making that product.
Example Question #666 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DEVIATE
Stray
Return
Push
Gather
Rob
Stray
Whenever someone "deviates" from the norm, he or she departs from it. Deviations are a kind of straying from what is acceptable or expected. You can also simply "deviate from the path" when walking somewhere. This means that you stray from it. In general, you can use "deviate" and "stray" to express this idea of "going away from the expected procedure, norm, or path." Therefore, they are good synonyms.
Example Question #667 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SCATTER
Plant
Grow
Impress
Spread
Cultivate
Spread
Whenever we "scatter" things, we toss them so that they are spread around on the ground. Whenever a group of animals scatter, they run in different directions, placing themselves apart from each other. Scattering has this element of spreading out. For this reason, the word "spread" is an acceptable synonym.  We tend to think of scattering seeds, as when we are planting a field of crops. Do not be tricked by options like "plant," "cultivate," or "grow."  These are not synonyms for "scatter"—even though we often scatter seeds so that we can plant, cultivate, and grow things!
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