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

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Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

EXACT

Possible Answers:

Extract

Inimitable

Imprecise

Unavoidable

Impoverished

Correct answer:

Extract

Explanation:

When used as an adjective, "exact" means precise, but when used as a verb, "exact" means imposecompel, or take from. So, it is closest in meaning to "extract," a verb that means to take. "Impoverished" (lacking money; poor) might be a consequence of having a fee exacted, but is not a synonym of "exact," while "unavoidable" (not able to be avoided) is unrelated in meaning. "Imprecise," which means not precise or sloppy, is an antonym of "exact" when "exact" is used as an adjective; "inimitable," which means incomparable or unequal, is also dissimilar in meaning to "exact."

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

JAR

Possible Answers:

Flex

Shake

Appease

Tremble

Mar

Correct answer:

Shake

Explanation:

Don't get the verb confused with the noun: when used as a verb, "jar" means send a painful and damaging shock. "Shake" is the best match, because "shake" can mean shock, distress, or discompose.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

EXTRACT

Possible Answers:

Found

Improve

Remove 

Imply 

Demand 

Correct answer:

Remove 

Explanation:

To "extract" means to remove, so "remove" is the correct answer. To help you, to "imply" means to suggest without directly stating, to "founder" means to struggle and sink, and an "impasse" is a deadlock.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

MEDIUM

Possible Answers:

Material

Pungency

Jab

Concern

Spirit

Correct answer:

Material

Explanation:

"Medium," when used as a noun, can mean " the intervening substance through which impressions are conveyed to the senses or a force acts on objects at a distance," "the material or form used by an artist, composer, or writer," or "a person claiming to be in contact with the spirits of the dead and to communicate between the dead and the living." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "an intervening substance through which impressions are conveyed," "the material or form used by an artist," or "a person claiming to be in contact with the spirits of the dead." While a medium might claim to be in contact with a spirit, "medium" does not mean "spirit," so "spirit" cannot be the correct answer. "Material," however, is synonymous with "the material or form used by an artist, composer, or writer," and because "material" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "medium," "material" is the correct answer.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

MINUTE

Possible Answers:

Timely

Small

Worrisome

Fortunate

Divided

Correct answer:

Small

Explanation:

The word "minute" is often used as a noun meaning the amount of time in one-sixtieth of an hour; however, it can also be used as an adjective meaning tiny, insignificant, or meticulous. While the noun's association with time may have led you to pick "timely" or "divided" as the answer, it's important to realize that none of the answer choices are nouns, so "minute" is not being used as a noun. "Small" is the best answer choice.

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

CURRENT

Possible Answers:

Flow

Dismay

Antecedent

Descent

Shock

Correct answer:

Flow

Explanation:

"Current" can be used as an adjective or as a noun. When used as an adjective, it means contemporary, modern, or having to do with the time period in which we are living at the moment. When it is used as a noun, a "current" is a flow of something, like a river or electricity. So, "flow" is the correct answer. “Shock” means surprise; “dismay” is sadness and disappointment about something; “antecedent” means precursor or something that comes before something else; and “descent” means act of traveling downward.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

FASHION

Possible Answers:

Yell

Make

Destroy

Whisper

Burn

Correct answer:

Make

Explanation:

When used as a noun, "fashion" can mean currently popular clothing styles, but when used as a verb, it means create out of specific parts or "make." "Destroy" means ruin, demolish, or annihilate; “yell” means shout; and “whisper” means speak quietly so as not to be heard by anyone apart from the person(s) to whom you are talking.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

PLUNDER

Possible Answers:

Campaign

Publicize

Report

Skirmish

Loot

Correct answer:

Loot

Explanation:

For this question, your habits might help you get it correct very quickly. Perhaps you have heard the expression "loot and plunder." These words are synonyms. When used as verbs, they mean to steal, usually in the midst of wartime. As nouns, they just refer to what is stolen. Thus, you can say, "The pirate plundered his captives," but you could also say, "The pirate looted his captives."

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

FIELD

Possible Answers:

Answer

Talent

Publish

Recreation

Joy

Correct answer:

Answer

Explanation:

This question is using "field" in a way that you might not recognize at first glance. The word does indeed indicate a kind of physical field in which grass (and other things) might be found. The word can also be used as a verb. In this sense, we say things such as, "He fielded questions regarding the event." This means that the person received and answered the questions. (This is somewhat like a baseball catcher being in the field and catching balls—though, in this case, the "balls" are questions!)

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

PARCEL

Possible Answers:

Divide

Sylvan

Wealth

Announce

Broadcast

Correct answer:

Divide

Explanation:

The word "parcel" has several meanings. It can be a noun indicating a package. It can also be a noun indicating some portion of a larger thing, as when we talk about a "parcel of land." In this latter way of speaking, the word can also be used as a verb meaning to divide up. It is in this sense that it is being used in this question, for none of the other options directly answer to one of the other meanings of "parcel."

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