ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Middle Level Verbal
All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location
A synonym of "grovel" is __________.
pardon
yield
ring
crawl
face
crawl
"Grovel" is a verb that means either "to kneel, lie, or crawl on the ground," or "to treat someone with too much respect or fear in a way that shows weakness in order to be forgiven or to gain approval or favor." So, we need to pick out a verb that means something like "to kneel" or "to treat someone with too much respect or fear to gain approval." While "pardon" may look like a potentially correct answer, "pardon" means "forgive or excuse (a person, error, or offense)," so while someone may grovel to a person who can pardon them for past offenses, "pardon" does not mean the same thing as "grovel," so "pardon" cannot be the correct answer. "Crawl," however, is synonymous with the first meaning of "grovel," so "crawl" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "grovel."
Example Question #123 : Synonyms: Verbs
Synonyms: choose the word closest in meaning to the word in question.
MAR
Sail
Jest
Inhabit
Drench
Disfigure
Disfigure
"Mar" means to spoil the appearance of or disfigure. A scar might mar someone's face or a wooden table could be marred by a deep scratch.
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location
Synonyms: choose the word closest in meaning to the word in question.
Courageous
Example Question #1 : 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.
LANGUISH
Stagnate
Flourish
Deteriorate
Enliven
Concern
Deteriorate
"Languish" means to weaken and become feeble, so it is most similar in meaning to "deteriorate," which means to waste away. "Enliven" and "flourish" both have positive connotations and mean to prosper or to come alive. "Stagnate" means to remain without growth or movement, and "concern" (which means consternation) is unrelated in meaning to "languish."
Example Question #6 : 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.
TARRY
Scramble
Maintain
Frustrate
Dawdle
Hasten
Dawdle
"Dawdle" is most appropriate here because both "dawdle" and "tarry" mean linger or procrastinate. "Hasten" is an antonym of "dawdle" that means to move more quickly or to cause to occur sooner, while "frustrate" can mean thwart or spoil. "Scramble" means clamber or muddle, and "maintain" means to continue or to persist.
Example Question #2 : 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.
DOUSE
Drain
Captivate
Drench
Instill
Drench
"Douse" means submerge briefly in water or throw liquid at, so "drench," which means soak, is the best match. "Drain" means remove liquid from something, making it an antonym, or opposite, of "douse."
Example Question #6 : 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.
TAINT
Contaminate
Erase
Cover
Justify
Color
Contaminate
"Taint" means contaminate, so "contaminate" is the correct answer.
Example Question #7 : 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.
HAMPER
Delay
Destroy
Hurdle
Hinder
Wound
Hinder
"Hamper" means obstruct or hinder. For example, one might write, "Excessive noise can hamper a teacher's effectiveness in the classroom." So, "hinder" is the correct answer.
Example Question #11 : 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.
HASTEN
Run
Panic
Reckless
Hurry
Waste
Hurry
To "hasten" means to hurry or to rush. For example, one might write, "The woman hastened her speech as she realized she was running out of time to communicate what she wanted to say." So, "hurry" is the correct answer.
Example Question #12 : 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.
ACCOMPANY
Mercurial
Whet
Enigmatic
Vend
Escort
Escort
To "accompany" someone means to go with him or her. This is closest in meaning to “escort,” which is the correct answer. To help you, "variable" means not consistent or hard to predict, "enigmatic" means mysterious, to "vend" means to sell, and "whet" means sharpen or stimulate something, like someone's appetite.
All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
