All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #38 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
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.
ABROAD:
close
detached
flattened
impending
overseas
overseas
Abroad most closely means overseas. If someone travels or studies abroad, it means they go overseas to another country.
Example Question #39 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
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.
HUNCH:
reflex
understanding
reaction
idea
knowledge
idea
If someone has a hunch, it means they have an idea or feeling about a situation or something in particular.
Example Question #40 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
A synonym of "rot" is __________.
gross out
persuade
decay
write
grow
decay
"Rot" is a verb that means "decay or cause to decay by the action of bacteria and fungi; decompose." While something that is rotting might gross someone out, "gross out" does not mean the same thing as "rot," so it cannot be the correct answer. Because "decay" is the closest synonym to "rot" amongst the listed answer choices, "decay" is the correct answer.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
A synonym of "wince" is __________.
protect
suggest
flinch
congratulate
anticipate
flinch
"Wince" is a word that when used as a verb, means "give a slight involuntary grimace or withdrawing movement of the body in anticipation of pain or distress." "Flinch," a word that when used as a verb means "make a quick, nervous movement of the face or body as an instinctive reaction to surprise, fear or pain," is the answer choice closest in meaning to "wince," so "flinch" is the correct answer.
Example Question #42 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
A synonym of "hoax" is __________.
contention
ruse
fear
truth
explanation
ruse
"Hoax" is a word that when used as a noun means "a humorous or malicious deception," and as a verb, "deceive with a hoax." So, "truth" cannot be the correct answer because "truth" is an antonym of "hoax." "Ruse," however, is a noun that means "an action intended to deceive someone; a trick." Because "ruse" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "hoax," "ruse" is the correct answer.
Example Question #43 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
A synonym of "luster" is __________.
texture
noise
shine
dampness
dullness
shine
"Luster," when used as a noun, means "a gentle sheen or soft glow, especially that of a partly reflective surface," so we need to pick out an answer choice that is a noun and means something like "a gentle sheen." "Dullness" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "dullness" is an antonym of "sheen." "Shine," however, when used as a noun, means "a quality of brightness, especially from reflected light," and because "shine" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "luster," "shine" is the correct answer.
Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
A synonym of "grasp" is __________.
toss
exact
reconsider
grip
loose
grip
"Grasp" is a word that when used as a verb, means either "seize and hold firmly," "get mental hold of; comprehend fully," or "act decisively to the advantage of." As a noun, "grasp" means either "a firm hold or grip," "a person's power or capacity to attain something," "a person's understanding." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that is either a verb meaning "hold firmly," "comprehend fully," or "act decisively," or a noun that means "a firm hold" or "a person's understanding." So, neither "loose" nor "toss" can be the correct answer, because each of those answer choices is an antonym of "hold firmly." "Grip," however, when used as a verb, means "take and keep a firm hold of; grasp tightly," and because "grip" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "grasp," "grip" is the correct answer.
Example Question #44 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
A synonym of "gorge" is __________.
pretend
starve
wait
narrow
devour
devour
All of the answer choices can be used as verbs, so we need to consider "gorge" as a verb. When used as a verb, "gorge" means "eat a large amount greedily; fill oneself with food," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "eat a lot." "Starve," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "starve" means "of a person or animal: suffer severely or die from hunger," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "gorge." "Devour," a verb that means "eat (food or prey) hungrily or quickly," is the answer choice closest in meaning to "gorge," so "devour" is the correct answer.
Example Question #10 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
A synonym of "pledge" is __________.
treason
will
power
assurance
rebuttal
assurance
"Pledge" is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the answer choices can be used as nouns, we will need to consider "pledge" as a noun. As a noun, "pledge" means "a solemn promise or undertaking," so we will need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "a solemn promise." "Treason," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "treason" means either "the crime of betraying one's country, especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government" or "the action of betraying someone or something," both meanings of which are far from meaning "a solemn promise." "Assurance," however, is a noun that means " a positive declaration intended to give confidence; a promise," and because "assurance" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "pledge," "assurance" is the correct answer.
Example Question #45 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
A synonym of "nick" is __________.
table
volume
avoidance
scratch
presence
scratch
"Nick" is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the potential answer choices are nouns, we will need to consider "nick" as a noun. When used as a noun, "nick" means "a small cut or notch," so we need to pick out a noun that mean something like "a small cut or notch." While "table" can refer to an object that could have a nick in it, "table" does not mean "nick," so "table" cannot be the correct answer. "Scratch," however, is a word that when used as a noun, means "a mark or wound made by scratching," or in other words, " a line or mark in the surface of something that is caused by something rough or sharp rubbing against it" or "a shallow and narrow cut in the skin that is caused by something sharp." Because "scratch" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "nick," "scratch" is the correct answer.