ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #561 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COMMEND

Possible Answers:

Praise

Encourage

Summon

Order

Condemn

Correct answer:

Praise

Explanation:

The word “commend” means to say someone did something well, or in other words, to "praise." It is the opposite of “condemn,” which means to say someone is wrong or did something wrong. “Summon” means send for or call for, and "order" means direct someone to do something as if they have no other choice. You may have chosen "order" if you read "commend" as "command," so be careful when reading the word in all capital letters.

Example Question #562 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "oblige" is __________.

Possible Answers:

oppose

harangue

compel

manage

destroy

Correct answer:

compel

Explanation:

"Oblige" is a verb that means either "make (someone) legally or morally bound to an action or course of action" or "do as (someone) asks or desires in order to help or please them." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "make someone legally or morally bound to an action" or "do as someone wants." "Oppose," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "oppose" means "actively resist or refuse to comply with (a person or a system)," making "oppose" an antonym of "oblige," not a synonym. "Compel," however, is a verb that means "force or oblige (someone) to do something," and because "compel" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "oblige," "compel" is the correct answer.

Example Question #563 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of “assist” is __________.

Possible Answers:

occupy

hinder

aid

argue

drop

Correct answer:

aid

Explanation:

“Assist” is a verb that means “to help someone,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “help.” That means that “hinder” cannot be the correct answer, because “hinder” means “to create difficulties for,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “assist.” “Aid,” however, is a word that means “help” when used as a verb, and because “aid” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “assist,” “aid” is the correct answer.

Example Question #564 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

ASSIST

Possible Answers:

Pressure

Forewarn

Help

Scold

Correct answer:

Help

Explanation:

To "assist" simply means to help perform a task. Think about the word "assistant." What do assistants do? They help someone else with a job that requires multiple people! "Help" is clearly the correct choice here. To "scold" is to yell at or reprimand, which is not the same as helping someone. To "pressure" is to exert force, and to "forewarn" is to tell someone about a potentially dangerous event that is about to happen. Neither of those choices have the same meaning as the word "assist."

Example Question #565 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Choose the answer that most closely matches the word in capital letters.

COMPLY

Possible Answers:

Defy 

Resist

Oppose 

Disobey 

Obey

Correct answer:

Obey

Explanation:

"Comply" means to follow the rules, to listen to orders, to obey. To further help you, "resist," "defy," "oppose," and "disobey" are all antonyms of "comply" and mean to not listen to rules and orders.

Example Question #566 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

COMPEL

Possible Answers:

Accord

Outline

Intercept

Exert

Force

Correct answer:

Force

Explanation:

"Compel" is a verb that means force or make someone do something, so "force" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "compel": an "accord" is an agreement; "outline" means plan; "intercept" means catch something meant for someone else or interrupt the progress of something; and "exert" means make an effort or put forth.

Example Question #567 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INSPIRE

Possible Answers:

Purchase

Motivate

Detect

Preserve

Provide

Correct answer:

Motivate

Explanation:

"Inspire" means give someone the motivation to do something, or "motivate." As for the other answer choices, “detect” means notice or see; “preserve” means save or keep; “provide” means give; and “purchase” means buy.

Example Question #568 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COMMAND

Possible Answers:

Repress

Order

Exceed

Approach

Receive

Correct answer:

Order

Explanation:

To “command” someone means to order that person to do something, so "order" is the correct answer. As for the other answers, “receive” means to be given; “repress” means hold down and stop from being free; “approach” means walk up to or come up to; and “exceed” means go further than or go beyond.

Example Question #569 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EDUCATE

Possible Answers:

Teach

Elude

Demand

Learn

Irritate

Correct answer:

Teach

Explanation:

The "ed-" in "educate" stems from the "ex-" prefix, here meaning out of; the "-ducate" portion of the word stems from Latin roots meaning lead. So, to "educate" stems from roots that mean lead out of or train. "Educate" has since shifted its definition and now means instruct as a student or "teach." As for the other answer choices, “demand” means forcefully ask for or say something has to be done or given; “elude” means get away from or hide from; “irritate” means annoy or vex; and "learn" means gain knowledge about a specific concept or procedure.

Example Question #570 : Identifying Synonyms

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

IMPLY

Possible Answers:

Earn

Suggest

Contribute

Classify

Describe

Correct answer:

Suggest

Explanation:

"Imply" means suggest something without stating it explicitly, so "suggest" is the correct answer. "Describe" means provide details regarding a person or some event. "Classify" means arrange in groups according to the qualities of the thing being sorted. "Contribute" means fund or to give money to some cause. "Earn" can mean either deserve when referring to something like respect, or get in return for work when referring to money.

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