ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #723 : Identifying Synonyms

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

REIGN

Possible Answers:

Command

Consider

Rule

Drizzle

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:

Fulfill

Smother

Soar

Consider

Return

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

Purchase 

Overthrow 

Banish 

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:

Retain

Change back

Illuminate

Drench

Dampen

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:

Proceed 

Demonize 

Bewitch 

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:

Overwhelm 

Underwhelm 

Intrinsic 

Do better than 

Do worse than 

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:

Foil

Retard

Annoy

Torture

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."

Example Question #891 : Synonyms

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

ATTAIN

Possible Answers:

Abandon

Persevere

Obscure

Overcome

Obtain

Correct answer:

Obtain

Explanation:

By "attaining" something, like a dream or goal, you obtain it or accomplish it.

Example Question #892 : Synonyms

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

ABOLISH

Possible Answers:

End

Arrive

Leave

Begin

Continue

Correct answer:

End

Explanation:

"Abolish" is a verb that means formally put an end to a rule or manner of acting. So, we need to pick out a word that means something like put an end to. "End," when used as a verb, means stop, so "end" is the best answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "abolish."

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