ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

1 2 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 Next →

Example Question #161 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

DISPUTE

Possible Answers:

Anger

Discuss

Lighten

Destroy

Awareness

Correct answer:

Discuss

Explanation:

The word "dispute" can be used as a noun or as a verb. As a verb, it means to disagree about something, to debate about something, or (at least) to discuss something because of disagreement. Thus, we can say, "Katherine disputed the claim that her computer needed a new screen. She knew that something else was wrong with it and therefore tried to convince her brother not to buy the expensive new display." The word can also be used as a noun to describe the actual act of debating. Thus, there can be "a dispute" between two people—meaning that there is the activity of disagreeing and debating. The best option here "discuss," which is closest to the proper meaning of "dispute" used as a verb.

Example Question #163 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

TROUBLE

Possible Answers:

Surprise

Scarcity

Destroy

Bother

Fanciful

Correct answer:

Bother

Explanation:

This question could be confusing, for it is using "trouble" as a verb. We often think of the noun "trouble," which means problem or difficulty. We also can say something like, "The loud sound troubled her, and she could not sleep." This means that it bothered her. Sometimes, we do say "a trouble" in a way similar to a bother (or, at least, "a bothersome thing").

Example Question #164 : Isee Lower Level (Grades 5 6) Verbal Reasoning

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

PLANT

Possible Answers:

Lush

Grown

Tree

Wild

Place

Correct answer:

Place

Explanation:

For this question, you must be very careful. While a tree is a kind of plant, it is not synonymous with the word. Likewise, while plants do grow, the word "grown" is not appropriate either. It is neither synonymous nor the same part of speech. Instead, "plant" is being used here as a verb. When you "plant your feet on the ground," this means that you place them firmly on the ground. Thus, the simple word "place" is the best option!

Example Question #121 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

ALARM

Possible Answers:

Realize

Wake

Attack

Frighten

Loud

Correct answer:

Frighten

Explanation:

The word "alarm" has several meanings. As a verb, it means to surprise or frighten. For example, you could say, "The news was so alarming that Peter was unable to sleep for three days." This means that it was so surprising or unsettling that he was unable to be at peace for days. It can also be used as a noun to indicate a sound, a warning, or even the emotional state of being surprised. For this question, the meaning being used is the verb definition "frightening." Do not be confused by options like "wake" or "loud," which are trying to get you to think of "alarm clocks."

Example Question #122 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

FISH

Possible Answers:

Enhance

Search

Food

Flesh

Aquatic

Correct answer:

Search

Explanation:

Do not be tricked. This question is not immediately about the fish we find in water. Instead, the word "fish" is being used as a verb. Now, when we go fishing, we are looking for the small creatures in water. The verb "to fish" has an extended meaning. It can mean to search. Have you ever heard someone say, "I fished around in the attic but just couldn't find the item"?  This means that the person searched around—like looking for fish, though actually looking for some other item.  This is the meaning being implied in this question. Do not be tricked by "flesh" or "aquatic." These are not immediate synonyms for "fish" even when the word is used to describe the little animals in the sea.

Example Question #123 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

FORK

Possible Answers:

Placemat

Set

Grill

Divide

Poke

Correct answer:

Divide

Explanation:

While we usually use "fork" as a noun for the utensil that we use for eating, it actually is related to a verb that means to divide. Indeed, the prongs on a fork are divided, right? That is why the words are related; however, we use "fork" about many other things. For example, the "fork in a road" has nothing to do with there being a metal utensil in the road! It means that the road splits. It is in this sense that the word is being used in this question. The best option matching this meaning is "divide." None of the others are synonyms for any sense of the word "fork."

Example Question #91 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

PRODUCE

Possible Answers:

Employ

Worker

Recruit

Vegetables

Machines

Correct answer:

Vegetables

Explanation:

Be careful! The word "produce" can be a verb meaning to make. It can also be used to describe the thing that has been made. It is like "products." The word "produce" almost always means the plants that have been grown. Think of the "produce section" in the grocery store. Thus, strangely, the best option is "vegetables"!  Do not be tricked by the "making-related" words like "recruit," "employ," or "worker." While related to production, these are not synonyms for "produce" in any sense.

Example Question #124 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

SHAME

Possible Answers:

Annoy

Humiliate

Question

Recognize

Encounter

Correct answer:

Humiliate

Explanation:

When we feel "shame," we feel embarrassed. The word "shame" can be used as a verb as well. We can say, "He shamed her for her actions." This means that he made her feel embarrassed. In other words, he "humiliated" her for her actions.

Example Question #93 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

DISPUTE

Possible Answers:

Shouting

Hate

Surprise

Detest

Argument

Correct answer:

Argument

Explanation:

Note that the word "dispute" can be used either as a noun or as a verb. As a verb, it means to argue or to disagree about something. The noun version basically means the actual argument or disagreement. Thus, for this question, the only option that works is "argument." Although disputes can involve anger and shouting, none of these options are directly about disputes as such. Thus, the simple noun "argument" is the best option!

1 2 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 Next →
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors