ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, and Understanding

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #91 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

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

BELLOW

Possible Answers:

Whisper

Atone

Sing

Shout

Demean

Correct answer:

Shout

Explanation:

“Bellow” means yell forcefully or "shout." As for the other answer choices, “whisper” means speak quietly; “atone” means make up for something bad you have done; and “demean” means put down and make to feel of less worth.

Example Question #92 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

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

DELUDE

Possible Answers:

Uncover

Preview

Depict

Deceive

Acknowledge

Correct answer:

Deceive

Explanation:

“Delude” means trick, deceive, or lie to, so "deceive" is the best answer choice. As for the other answer choices, “depict” means show or represent someone or something in a work of visual art or a written work; “acknowledge” means give your attention to or admit is present; "uncover" means reveal or discover; and “preview” means show something before it is officially released.

Example Question #93 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

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

COVET

Possible Answers:

Intimidate

Terrorize

Desire

Detest

Postulate

Correct answer:

Desire

Explanation:

To “covet” something means to really want it, or to "desire" it. As for the other answer choices, “detest” means hate; “intimidate” means scare or frighten someone into doing something they do not want to; “postulate” means posit or put forward as a beginning point for an argument without any proof that what you say is indeed the case; “terrorize” means purposely scare people repeatedly.

Example Question #94 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

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

RUMINATE

Possible Answers:

Overwhelm

Rumble

Contemplate

Simulate

Propose

Correct answer:

Contemplate

Explanation:

“Ruminate” means to think over with care and consideration or to "contemplate." As for the other answer choices, “propose” means suggest; “overwhelm” means overpower and take over by excessive strength or emotionally devastate; "rumble" means produce loud, low sounds; "simulate" means create an imitation of.

Example Question #95 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

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

PONDER

Possible Answers:

Think

Leap

Sprint

Outlaw

Condense

Correct answer:

Think

Explanation:

“Ponder” means think about, consider, or spend time thinking about, so "think" is the best answer choice. As for the other answer choices, "leap” means jump high and far; “sprint” means run very quickly; “outlaw,” when used as a verb, means ban or prohibit; and "condense" means make something smaller without losing any of its information or density.

Example Question #96 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

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

QUERY

Possible Answers:

Ply 

Implicate

Procure 

Question

Support

Correct answer:

Question

Explanation:

To "query" someone is to question them, so "question" is the correct answer. To provide further help, “procure” means get or obtain; “implicate” means suggest someone is to be blamed; and “ply” means work or practice

Example Question #97 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

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

ENDORSE

Possible Answers:

Forgive

Recall

Recommend

Extend

Delegate

Correct answer:

Recommend

Explanation:

The word "endorse" is often used in political seasons when people are running for office. A given newspaper might "endorse" a given candidate, meaning that the paper approves of that candidate and expresses this approval to the readership. Likewise, when someone stops running for office, that person might endorse someone else so as to tell his or her own supporters to vote for the other candidate now.  (This often is done to help support a political party.) Thus, the best option presented here for synonym for the word "endorse" is the word "recommend".

Example Question #98 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

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

DISPUTE

Possible Answers:

Sue

Examine

Forget

Quarrel

Inquire

Correct answer:

Quarrel

Explanation:

Of the options provided, two of the wrong ones are likely quite tempting. When someone disputes something, he or she is questioning whether or not that thing is true. This is not, however, mere questioning like asking a question of someone about anything whatsoever. A dispute usually indicates an argument. Thus, the options "inquire" and "examine" really do not fit well. The correct answer is "quarrel", which means to disagree often with the added implication of angrily (or at least in a way that is not passive).

Example Question #99 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

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

ADVOCATE

Possible Answers:

Inquire

Support

Shout

Call

Recount

Correct answer:

Support

Explanation:

The word "advocate" comes from roots that mean to call upon. You likely know the root "-voc-" as found in words like "vocal" or "vocation." An advocate is usually someone who comes to the help of someone else or for a group. Thus, a person might advocate the teaching of philosophy in high school. Such a person would support the arguments made on behalf of philosophy teachers to gain such positions. When used as verb, this means to support in public. Thus, a sentence using the word might be, "Harvey advocated the teaching of logic in high school."

Example Question #100 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

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

RATIFY

Possible Answers:

Assert

Contend

Approve

Constitute

Express

Correct answer:

Approve

Explanation:

Perhaps you know the word "ratify" from history class. You may talk of the "ratification of the Constitution." This refers to the approval of the Constitution of the United States. When we "ratify" something, we approve or endorse it. By accident, you might think that the word has to do with asserting things or arguing/contending. Do not be tricked like this! Likewise, just because the Constitution was ratified, this does not mean that the best word is "constitute." (It is not too terribly wrong, but still is not as correct as is the option "approve.")

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors