ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #741 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PURGE

Possible Answers:

Fail

Protect

Decline

Remove

Inhabit

Correct answer:

Remove

Explanation:

"Purge" derives from the same Latin root as "pure" (having no blemishes or unadulterated), so it's not surprising that it means remove something in order to benefit or cleanse the whole. "Remove" is thus the closest listed synonym. To “inhabit” a place or building to live in it; “decline” means decrease or reject in a polite way; “protect” means look after or stop from being hurt or damaged; and "fail" means unsuccessfully attempt to accomplish or achieve something.

Example Question #742 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MAGNIFY

Possible Answers:

Pamper

Enlarge

Repair

Display

Erect

Correct answer:

Enlarge

Explanation:

"Magnify" means cause to appear bigger through the use of some instrument aiding one's vision, such as a handheld glass lens or a microscope. So, the correct answer is "enlarge." Considering the other answer choices, "display” means visually show, often publicly; “erect” means build a building or, more generally, construct; “repair” means fix; and “pamper” means spoil or let someone have everything they want.

Example Question #743 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "fortify" is __________.

Possible Answers:

annoy

respond

weaken

handle

toughen

Correct answer:

toughen

Explanation:

"Fortify" is a verb that can mean "strengthen (a place) with defensive works so as to protect it against attack" or "strengthen or invigorate (someone) mentally or physically," or "strengthen (a drink) with alcohol." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "strengthen." "Weaken," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "weaken" is an antonym of "strengthen." "Toughen," however, is a verb which means "make or become tougher," and because "toughen" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "fortify," "toughen" is the correct answer.

Example Question #46 : 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.

ASCEND

Possible Answers:

Decline

Arbitrate

Justify

Rise

Identify

Correct answer:

Rise

Explanation:

To "ascend" means to rise or move upwards, so "rise" is the correct answer. To "arbitrate" something, like a dispute, means to judge or make a decision over a dispute or disagreement. To "decline" means to move downwards or lessen. To "identify" means to recognize or or to determine who a person is or what something is. To "justify" means to explain or give reasons for a point of view or choice.

Example Question #744 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ATROPHY

Possible Answers:

Decline

Award

Strength

Tropical

Correct answer:

Decline

Explanation:

The word "atrophy" means waste away. The best choice is "decline" which means lose strength. A loss of strength is what happens when something atrophies. Considering the other choices, an "award" is something given for an acheivement, "tropical" means hot and humid, and "strength" is force or power.

Example Question #745 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROCEED

Possible Answers:

Seize

Continue

Program

Money

Correct answer:

Continue

Explanation:

The word "proceed" means continue or go forward. "Continue" is the best choice because it is a part of the definition of "proceed." Considering the other choices, "seize" means take by force, a "program" is a plan, and "money" is coins or paper notes that can be exchanged for goods and services.

Example Question #746 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ABSCOND

Possible Answers:

Complacent 

Oppressed by heat

Run away 

Derogatory 

Prominent 

Correct answer:

Run away 

Explanation:

"Abscond" is a verb that means run away secretly or escape, so "run away" is the correct answer. To help you, "oppressed" means dominated or restricted, "complacent" means smug, "prominent" means important, noteworthy, or famous, and "derogatory" means critical and disparaging.

Example Question #747 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ELONGATE

Possible Answers:

Lenghten

Hackneyed

Concede

Absolve

Shorten

Correct answer:

Lenghten

Explanation:

"Elongate" means to make longer or to lengthen, so "lengthen" is the correct answer. To help you, "absolve" is a verb that means means free from blame, "concede" means accept defeat, and "hackneyed" means trite, clichéd and unoriginal.

Example Question #748 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DISMANTLE

Possible Answers:

Take apart 

Send away 

Gather together 

Put together 

Edify 

Correct answer:

Take apart 

Explanation:

"Dismantle" means take apart, so "take apart" is the correct answer. To help you, "edify" means improve someone's morals or intellect, often by teaching them.

Example Question #749 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROPAGATE

Possible Answers:

Limitless

Multiply

Barrier

Property

Correct answer:

Multiply

Explanation:

The word "propagate" means make more of. The word "multiply" is the best choice because it has a similar meaning. Considering the other choices, "property" is something owned by or in the possession of someone or a characteristic of something, a "barrier" is anything built as an obstacle, and "limitless" means without limits.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors