All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SQUANDER
Quell
Tamper
Flourish
Cease
Waste
Waste
"Squander" means waste or spend unwisely, so "waste" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "squander": "flourish" means succeed or thrive; "quell" means crush or suppress; "cease" means finish or stop; and "tamper" means interfere or disrupt.
Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ACQUIRE
Release
Obtain
Reverse
Ask
Abstain
Obtain
To "acquire" means to get, obtain, or buy, so "obtain" is the synonym.
Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
A synonym of "usurp" is . . .
handle
approve
seize
mandate
oversee
seize
"Usurp" is a verb that means "take a position of power or importance illegally or by force." While "oversee," "approve," and "mandate" might all look like potentially correct answers because they all have to do with positions of power, only "seize" ("take hold of suddenly and forcibly" or "take forcible possession of") is close in meaning to "usurp," so "seize" is the correct answer.
Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
RATIFY
invalidate
prototype
embark
goad
endorse
endorse
"Ratify" means to give legal or official approval to, so "endorse" is the best choice. "Invalidate" actually has the opposite meaning, while "prototype" means a preliminary model of an invention built before the actual invention; "goad" means encourage or prod; and "embark" means set of on a trip, usually one made by ship.
Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
DRUDGE
Toil
Play
Pull
Begrudge
Dig
Toil
"Drudge" means work diligently at a task, often for a prolonged period of time. "Toil" means work hard as well. Therefore, "toil" is the correct answer.
Example Question #826 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
SPEARHEAD
Lead
March
Trample
Follow
Lead
To "spearhead" something, like a project, means to lead it. Imagine the tip of a spear piercing its target; the rest of the spear follows the head's lead. So, "lead" is the correct answer.
Example Question #827 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BUNGLE
Tie
Advertise
Dance
Ruin
Convince
Ruin
"Bungle" means to carry out a task clumsily, ruining the outcome.
Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ABOLISH
Correct
Surrender
Seize
Cease
Eliminate
Eliminate
"Abolish" means get rid of or eliminate, so "eliminate" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "abolish": "seize" means grasp or take control of; "surrender" means give up and stop fighting; "cease" means stop completely; and "correct" means make right or fix.
Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
SUBDUE
Squalid
Save
Hoary
Restrain
Distort
Restrain
"Subdue" means quiet someone down, hold someone back or restrain someone, so "restrain" is the correct answer. To help you, "distort" means twist out of shape, "hoary" means light grey or overused and stale, and "squalid" means filthy, especially as a result of having little or no money.
Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
EMBRACE
Kiss
Hug
Shout
Turn away
Hug
An "embrace" is a hug, and to "embrace" someone means to hug them. So, "hug" is the correct answer.