All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
A synonym of "maroon" is __________.
strand
maintain
pardon
waver
rescue
strand
"Maroon" is a verb that means "leave someone trapped and isolated in an inaccessible place, especially an island." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "abandon." "Rescue," then, cannot be the correct answer because "rescue" is an antonym of "maroon." "Strand," however, when used as a verb, means either "drive or leave a boat, sailor, or sea creature aground on a shore," or "leave someone without the means to move from somewhere." Because "strand" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "maroon," "strand" is the correct answer.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.
ANCHOR
follow
imitate
secure
change
lengthen
secure
"Anchor" means to secure firmly in position.
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
EXTRACT
remove
push
edit
write
remove
The word "extract" literally means pull out. The prefix "ex-" should be familiar, for it is used in words like "exit" (go out) and "exhume" (dig a body out of the ground). The "-tract" portion comes from the Latin for to pull. It is related to the word "tractor"—a farm vehicle that pulls large machinery. Therefore, to "extract" means pull out. Among the options provided, "remove" is the best synonym for "extract." Sometimes, we use the word "extract" to describe how someone can "pull out" a selection of text from a larger work. This smaller section is "extracted" and is sometimes called an "extract." However, do not be fooled into thinking that "write" or "edit" mean the same thing as such textual extraction!
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GORGE
Stuff
Cultivate
Defend
Beautify
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 #5 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BUFF
Malinger
Jesting
Invited
Polish
Forgotten
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 #6 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EXACT
Impoverished
Imprecise
Inimitable
Extract
Unavoidable
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 #7 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
JAR
Flex
Tremble
Mar
Shake
Appease
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
Found
Improve
Demand
Imply
Remove
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 #9 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MEDIUM
Pungency
Jab
Concern
Material
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 #10 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MINUTE
Small
Timely
Divided
Fortunate
Worrisome
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.
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