ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #28 : Synonyms

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

CONVEY

Possible Answers:

Rank

Reveal

Classify

Indict

Intend

Correct answer:

Reveal

Explanation:

The word "convey" is interestingly related to the word "convoy," which describes a group of vehicles that travel together. The word "convey" most generally is used to express the idea of carrying or transporting something; however, it can also be used in an extended sense meaning to communicate—as though words can "transport" meanings from one person to the next. It is in this latter sense that the word is used here, for the only acceptable option among those provided is "reveal." When we ask, "Did you convey the meaning to Bob," we could translate this as, "Did you communicate the meaning to Bob," or as, "Was the meaning revealed to Bob?"

Example Question #29 : Synonyms

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

PLOT

Possible Answers:

Narrator

Protagonist

Indication

Antagonist

Parcel

Correct answer:

Parcel

Explanation:

There are two senses of the word "plot," and you must not confuse them when answering this question. On the one hand, "plot" can indicate the storyline of a book, play, movie, or other type of media. Several of the options are concerned with stories—"antagonist," "narrator," and "protagonist"; however, none of these words are synonyms for "plot" in this sense.

On the other hand, "plot" can be used to describe a piece of land, as when we say, "He bought a plot of land in the wilderness." This means that the person bought a bit of land out in the woods. Although "parcel" can describe a package, it can also be used as a synonym for a piece of land. It is in this sense that it is being used in this question.

Example Question #30 : Synonyms

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

PLOT

Possible Answers:

Discussion

Angle

Shot

Scenario

Award

Correct answer:

Scenario

Explanation:

The word "plot" has several meanings. One main cluster of meanings has to do with areas of land—as when someone lives on a "plot of land." This, however, is clearly not the meaning intended among the options provided here. Instead, the options hint at another primary meaning to the word, namely, the storyline of a play or other drama. A scenario is a sequence of events—how they happen one after another. Often, the word can be used to describe a plot of a story as well (since stories are, in fact, sequences of events). Therefore, it provides an excellent synonym for "plot" as it is used in this question.

Example Question #31 : Synonyms

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

CRUDE

Possible Answers:

Dusty

Simple

Normal

Ordinary

Unintelligent

Correct answer:

Simple

Explanation:

The word "crude" can be used to describe someone or something  that is not refined or developed. Thus, when we call a person "crude," we generally mean that the person is crass or rude. The word can be used to describe things like tools that are just simple and undeveloped. Thus, we can say that a stone that is tied to a stick is a kind of crude hammer. It is a very simple hammer—not quite as complex and developed as the modern hammers you would buy at the store!

Example Question #32 : Synonyms

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

ASSEMBLE

Possible Answers:

Vend

Make

Compute

Benefit

Question

Correct answer:

Make

Explanation:

“Assemble” can mean put together from parts or come together as a group, so "make" is the correct answer. “Benefit” means provide help to; “vend” means sell; and “compute” means calculate.

Example Question #33 : Synonyms

A synonym of "maroon" is __________.

Possible Answers:

pardon

maintain

waver

rescue

strand

Correct answer:

strand

Explanation:

"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 #34 : Synonyms

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

ANCHOR

Possible Answers:

lengthen

secure

follow

change

imitate

Correct answer:

secure

Explanation:

"Anchor" means to secure firmly in position.

Example Question #35 : Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

EXTRACT

Possible Answers:

remove

edit

write

push

Correct answer:

remove

Explanation:

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 #36 : Synonyms

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

GORGE

Possible Answers:

Stuff

Defend

Poke

Cultivate

Beautify

Correct answer:

Stuff

Explanation:

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 #37 : Synonyms

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

BUFF

Possible Answers:

Malinger

Forgotten

Polish

Invited

Jesting

Correct answer:

Polish

Explanation:

"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.

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