ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, or Location

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

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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

Possible Answers:

Climb

Drive

Rest

Travel

Sleep

Correct answer:

Sleep

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Measure

Mimic

Diminish

Attach

Record

Correct answer:

Diminish

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

Dwindle

Lighten

Protect

Increase

Improve

Correct answer:

Dwindle

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Offend

Belittle

Separate

Injustice

Hide

Correct answer:

Separate

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Study 

Observe

Investigate

Invest

Develop

Correct answer:

Develop

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Horrify 

Rectify 

Impose 

Pungent 

Spoil

Correct answer:

Spoil

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Deviate

Loathe

Plunge

Sway

Determine

Correct answer:

Plunge

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Egress 

Dawdle 

Ratify 

Wanton 

Dash 

Correct answer:

Dash 

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Scatter

Spell

Fall

Enchant

Reconsider

Correct answer:

Scatter

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

Damage

Repair

Sow

Forget

Pierce

Correct answer:

Pierce

Explanation:

"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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