All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GORGE
Defend
Beautify
Stuff
Cultivate
Poke
Stuff
There are a couple meanings of "gorge" that you may be familiar with, both of which derive from an old French word meaning "throat." As a noun, a gorge is a narrow pass, often between mountains. Since our synonym options here are verbs, though, we need to use the verb "gorge," which means to consume greedily. The most literal sense would involve eating (filling your "throat"), though you can also gorge (or stuff) yourself metaphorically with things like knowledge or a movie marathon.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BUFF
Malinger
Forgotten
Jesting
Invited
Polish
Polish
"Buff" is a word that can take on a variety of meanings; as an adjective, it can mean " a yellowish-beige color" or, more informally, "being in good physical shape with fine muscle tone." As a verb, "buff" can mean "polish something." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "yellow," "in good physical shape," or "polish something." "Polish" is an answer choice, and because it is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "buff," "polish" is the correct answer.
Example Question #31 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EXACT
Unavoidable
Extract
Imprecise
Inimitable
Impoverished
Extract
When used as an adjective, "exact" means precise, but when used as a verb, "exact" means impose, compel, or take from. So, it is closest in meaning to "extract," a verb that means to take. "Impoverished" (lacking money; poor) might be a consequence of having a fee exacted, but is not a synonym of "exact," while "unavoidable" (not able to be avoided) is unrelated in meaning. "Imprecise," which means not precise or sloppy, is an antonym of "exact" when "exact" is used as an adjective; "inimitable," which means incomparable or unequal, is also dissimilar in meaning to "exact."
Example Question #32 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
JAR
Mar
Tremble
Shake
Appease
Flex
Shake
Don't get the verb confused with the noun: when used as a verb, "jar" means send a painful and damaging shock. "Shake" is the best match, because "shake" can mean shock, distress, or discompose.
Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EXTRACT
Remove
Demand
Imply
Improve
Found
Remove
To "extract" means to remove, so "remove" is the correct answer. To help you, to "imply" means to suggest without directly stating, to "founder" means to struggle and sink, and an "impasse" is a deadlock.
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MEDIUM
Concern
Material
Pungency
Jab
Spirit
Material
"Medium," when used as a noun, can mean " the intervening substance through which impressions are conveyed to the senses or a force acts on objects at a distance," "the material or form used by an artist, composer, or writer," or "a person claiming to be in contact with the spirits of the dead and to communicate between the dead and the living." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "an intervening substance through which impressions are conveyed," "the material or form used by an artist," or "a person claiming to be in contact with the spirits of the dead." While a medium might claim to be in contact with a spirit, "medium" does not mean "spirit," so "spirit" cannot be the correct answer. "Material," however, is synonymous with "the material or form used by an artist, composer, or writer," and because "material" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "medium," "material" is the correct answer.
Example Question #34 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MINUTE
Divided
Worrisome
Small
Timely
Fortunate
Small
The word "minute" is often used as a noun meaning the amount of time in one-sixtieth of an hour; however, it can also be used as an adjective meaning tiny, insignificant, or meticulous. While the noun's association with time may have led you to pick "timely" or "divided" as the answer, it's important to realize that none of the answer choices are nouns, so "minute" is not being used as a noun. "Small" is the best answer choice.
Example Question #31 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CURRENT
Flow
Antecedent
Shock
Descent
Dismay
Flow
"Current" can be used as an adjective or as a noun. When used as an adjective, it means contemporary, modern, or having to do with the time period in which we are living at the moment. When it is used as a noun, a "current" is a flow of something, like a river or electricity. So, "flow" is the correct answer. “Shock” means surprise; “dismay” is sadness and disappointment about something; “antecedent” means precursor or something that comes before something else; and “descent” means act of traveling downward.
Example Question #32 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FASHION
Burn
Yell
Whisper
Make
Destroy
Make
When used as a noun, "fashion" can mean currently popular clothing styles, but when used as a verb, it means create out of specific parts or "make." "Destroy" means ruin, demolish, or annihilate; “yell” means shout; and “whisper” means speak quietly so as not to be heard by anyone apart from the person(s) to whom you are talking.
Example Question #33 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PLUNDER
Loot
Campaign
Skirmish
Publicize
Report
Loot
For this question, your habits might help you get it correct very quickly. Perhaps you have heard the expression "loot and plunder." These words are synonyms. When used as verbs, they mean to steal, usually in the midst of wartime. As nouns, they just refer to what is stolen. Thus, you can say, "The pirate plundered his captives," but you could also say, "The pirate looted his captives."
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All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
