ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #721 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RECTIFY

Possible Answers:

Perplex

Undervalue

Compliment

Fix

Abdicate

Correct answer:

Fix

Explanation:

To "rectify" a situation is to repair it or make it right, generally when some problem has occurred. For example, if you failed to order enough pizza for the class party, you might rectify the situation by going out to get more. Of the answer choices given, "fix" is the only verb with a similar meaning. You may already know that to "compliment" another person is to say something nice about them, and the word structure of "undervalue" helps give away its meaning: to value, or appraise, an item at a lower amount than it is worth. Finally, "abdicate" means give up or renounce, and "perplex" means confuse.

Example Question #722 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ADAPT

Possible Answers:

Change

Advance

Differ

Contrast

Compare

Correct answer:

Change

Explanation:

To "adapt" is to "change" as circumstances change. "Advance" is to move forward; "compare" is to look at similarities; and "contrast" is to look at differences.

Example Question #723 : Identifying Synonyms

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

REIGN

Possible Answers:

Rule

Drizzle

Consider

Command

Decide

Correct answer:

Rule

Explanation:

“Reign” means rule over a country as the leader of its monarchy, e.g. a king or queen. As a word it is usually used to describe the rule of kings or queens. So, "rule" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, "consider" means think about as a possibility; "damage" means cause harm to or mar the quality of; "decide" means pick or choose definitively between multiple options; and "drizzle" means to rain lightly ("rain" having an entirely different meaning from "reign," despite the two words being homophones); and "command" means lead or demand someone to do something using one's authority as force.

Example Question #724 : Identifying Synonyms

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

REVERT

Possible Answers:

Smother

Soar

Return

Consider

Fulfill

Correct answer:

Return

Explanation:

"Revert" means go back or return to a previous state, so "return" is the correct answer. "Soar" means rise or fly. "Smother" means cover or suffocate. "Consider" means think about. "Fulfill" means achieve, complete, or carry out.

Example Question #725 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INDUCE

Possible Answers:

Carry

Cause

Lead

Throw

Correct answer:

Cause

Explanation:

The word "induce" means to cause something to happen. The best choice is "cause," as it is a part of the definition of "induce." 

Example Question #725 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROCEED

Possible Answers:

Provide

Banish 

Overthrow 

Purchase 

Continue 

Correct answer:

Continue 

Explanation:

"Proceed" means to go on, continue. To further help you, "purchase" means to buy; "overthrow" means to take power from someone; "banish" means to send away, to make illegal; "provide" means to give or supply something

Example Question #726 : Identifying Synonyms

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

REVERT

Possible Answers:

Illuminate

Change back

Retain

Dampen

Drench

Correct answer:

Change back

Explanation:

"Revert" means to change back. To further help you, "retain" means keep; "illuminate" means make light up, brighten; "dampen" means to make a little wet; "drench" means to soak with water

Example Question #727 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ADVANCE

Possible Answers:

Bewitch 

Demonize 

Proceed 

Suspend 

Detract 

Correct answer:

Proceed 

Explanation:

“Advance” means continue or proceed, so "proceed" is the correct answer. The prefix "ad-" refers to a movement or change into or away from something as seen in “adulterate" (make something impure) and “adjunct” (an addition). None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "advance": “detract” means take away from in terms of quality; “demonize” means vilify; “bewitch” means enchant; and “suspend” means pause.

Example Question #728 : Identifying Synonyms

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

OUTPERFORM

Possible Answers:

Do better than 

Underwhelm 

Do worse than 

Overwhelm 

Intrinsic 

Correct answer:

Do better than 

Explanation:

The prefix "out-" generally means surpassing or exceeding, so if you “outperform” someone, you perform better than they do. So, "do better than" is the correct answer. To provide further help, “overwhelm” means overpower emotionally and “underwhelm” means disappoint, and “intrinsic” means basic, natural, or inherent.

Example Question #729 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HINDER

Possible Answers:

Torture

Foil

Retard

Annoy

Belittle

Correct answer:

Retard

Explanation:

To "hinder" someone is to put something in his or her way to prevent him or her from completing whatever it is he or she is working on. A "hindrance" is an obstacle blocking someone from completing his or her desired task as quickly as desired. The word "retard" means to slow down. For instance, you could say either, "I hindered the development of the new apartment building," or, "I retarded the developement of the new apartment building."

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