All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SLUMBER
Climb
Drive
Rest
Travel
Sleep
Sleep
"Slumber," when used as a verb, means sleep or doze, so the answer closest in meaning to "slumber" is "sleep," which is a verb meaning be in a state of rest in which consciousness is suspended. Considering the other answer choices, none are as close in meaning to "slumber" as is "sleep": "travel" is a verb meaning transport oneself from one location to another, often in the context of a vacation; "drive" is a verb meaning operate an automobile, and "rest" is a verb meaning lay down and relax. While "rest" may seem close in meaning to "slumber," "slumber" specifically means "sleep," so "sleep" is the correct answer.
Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TAPER
Measure
Mimic
Diminish
Attach
Record
Diminish
Don't confuse the word "taper" with the piglike mammal the "tapir," or think of it as "one who tapes" something. The word "taper" used to refer to a candle. From there it came to mean "rising like a flame," and eventually came to its present meaning of gradually decreasing (much like how many candles decrease in size from the base to the wick). Both physical objects (like a cone or pants) and less-tangible things (like anger or sales figures) can be said to taper when they decrease.
Example Question #33 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EBB
Dwindle
Lighten
Protect
Increase
Improve
Dwindle
"Ebb," when used as a noun, means "the movement of the tide out to sea," and when used as a verb, it means "move away from land; recede" when referring to tides and "gradually lessen or reduce" when referring to emotions or qualities. Since none of our potential answer choices have to do with tides, we should pick one out that is a verb meaning something like "gradually lessen." While "increase" may have initially looked like a correct answer, "increase" means the opposite as "ebb," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Dwindle," however, means "diminish gradually in size, amount, or strength." Because "dwindle" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "ebb," "dwindle" is the correct answer.
Example Question #34 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
SEGREGATE
Offend
Belittle
Separate
Injustice
Hide
Separate
"Segregate" means separate from the rest of a group, often due to particular charatacteristics. Therefore, "separate," which when used as a verb means divide from the rest of a group, is the correct answer.
Example Question #35 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CULTIVATE
Study
Observe
Investigate
Invest
Develop
Develop
"Cultivate" means develop, prepare or grow. Therefore, "develop" is the proper synonym.
Example Question #36 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MAR
Horrify
Rectify
Impose
Pungent
Spoil
Spoil
"Mar" means to ruin or spoil. To further help you, "rectify" means to fix; "impose" means to assert, to force one’s will upon; "pungent" means strong smelling; "horrify" means to scare greatly.
Example Question #37 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PLUMMET
Deviate
Loathe
Plunge
Sway
Determine
Plunge
"Plummet" means plunge, nosedive, or fall straight down, so "plunge" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "plummet": "deviate" means stray from the normal course or path; "determine" means solve or figure out; "sway" means move forward and backwards in turn; and "loathe" means despise or hate.
Example Question #38 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SCAMPER
Egress
Dawdle
Ratify
Wanton
Dash
Dash
"Scamper" means to run away in a hurry; as such it is closest in meaning to "dash." To further help you, "wanton" means random; "ratify" means approve, especially with regard to lawmaking; "egress" means exit or way out; "dawdle" means to delay or to walk slowly and without purpose.
Example Question #39 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISPEL
Scatter
Spell
Fall
Enchant
Reconsider
Scatter
"Dispel" is a verb that means to do away with or scatter. The best choice is "scatter" since it is a part of the definition of "dispel." Considering the other options, "enchant" means to put under magical influence literally or figuratively, "spell" is a noun that means list the consecutive letters in a given word, "fall" means to drop from the force of gravity, and "reconsider" means think about a given choice one more time, perhaps going back on one's original decision.
Example Question #40 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CUT
Damage
Repair
Sow
Forget
Pierce
Pierce
"Cut" is a verb that means to divide with a sharp edge. "Pierce" is the best choice since it shares the meaning to penetrate. Considering the other choices, "sow" means to plant seeds, "repair" means to fix, and "damage" means to harm.
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