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 #771 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RECUPERATE

Possible Answers:

Eradicate

Disunite

Recover

Yearn

Iterate

Correct answer:

Recover

Explanation:

To "recuperate" means to recover or regain health and energy after exerting oneself or being ill, so "recover" is the correct answer. To "iterate" means to reoccur or to repeat. To "disunite" means to separate or break up, as you might have been able to guess from the word being a combination of the negative prefix "dis-," which means to do the opposite of, and "unite." To "yearn" means to strongly desire or want. To "eradicate" means to destroy or remove completely.

Example Question #772 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RECUPERATE

Possible Answers:

Recover

Decline

Cease

Supplement

Refine

Correct answer:

Recover

Explanation:

To "recuperate" is to recover from an illness or injury, so "recover" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "recuperate": to "supplement' is to add something helpful but not necessary to something else; to "refine" is to improve something by removing impurities from it; to "cease" is to stop; and to "decline" is to lessen.

Example Question #773 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SUBSIDE

Possible Answers:

Appease

Eliminate

Fortify

Weaken

Reinforce

Correct answer:

Weaken

Explanation:

When something, such as a wave, "subsides," it means that it lessens in intensity; therefore, the best answer choice is "weaken," which is synonymous with lessening in degree or force. "Reinforce" is to strengthen; "appease" is to calm; "fortify" is to strengthen; and "eliminate" is to completely remove.

Example Question #774 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GNAW

Possible Answers:

Devour

Snap

Prohibit

Chew

Chase

Correct answer:

Chew

Explanation:

“Gnaw” means to chew on something large and tough without swallowing it, so "chew" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “devour” means eat greedily or use up; "prohibit" means ban or not allow; "snap" can mean break into two pieces or click one's jaws at in an attempt to bite, and this second usage usually refers to animals; and "chase" means pursue or follow at a fast pace something or someone that does not want to be caught.

Example Question #77 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

MANEUVER

Possible Answers:

Applaud

Drive

Praise

Dance

Laud

Correct answer:

Drive

Explanation:

"Maneuver” means to steer, navigate, or "drive." As for the other answer choices, "laud" means praise, and “applaud” means clap one's hands in order to praise or show appreciation for.

Example Question #78 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

EVADE

Possible Answers:

Avoid

Counter

Reform

Exhort

Alter

Correct answer:

Avoid

Explanation:

“Evade” means run away from or "avoid." As for the other answer choices, “counter” means retaliate or attack back while dodging an attack; “reform” means change dramatically for what is considered to be the better; “alter” also means change, but suggests less dramatic changes than “reform”; and “exhort" means beg or urge strongly.

Example Question #79 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

DEFACE

Possible Answers:

Wince

Embrace

Disfigure

Insinuate

Tamper

Correct answer:

Disfigure

Explanation:

“Deface” means mar, spoil, or ruin the appearance of, so it is very close in meaning to “disfigure,” which means to change the appearance of something in a way that ruins it. As for the other answer choices, “wince” means draw back as if in pain; “embrace” means hug or agree with; “insinuate” means imply or suggest that something is true; and “tamper” means mess with or break.

Example Question #80 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

DEVOUR

Possible Answers:

Despise

Consume

Mollify

Illustrate

Meander

Correct answer:

Consume

Explanation:

To “devour” something means to completely eat it or "consume" it. As for the other answer choices, “despise” means hate; “illustrate” means draw or demonstrate; “meander” means zigzag or amble and is often used to describe rivers, and “mollify” means make calm.

Example Question #81 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

INTERCEPT

Possible Answers:

Calm

Continue

Relax

Advance

Stop

Correct answer:

Stop

Explanation:

To "intercept” something or someone means to stop or get in the way of that person or thing. “Advance” means move forward; “continue” means keep going; “relax” means calm down and reduce one's level of stress; and "calm," when used as a verb, means cause to feel relaxed and serene.

Example Question #775 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RAZE

Possible Answers:

Coddle

Lift

Amplify

Forget

Destroy

Correct answer:

Destroy

Explanation:

Do not quickly misread this question. The word "raze" is not the same as "raise." The options try to trick you into choosing "lift" or "amplify". When someone "raises" his or her hand, he or she lifts it. Likewise, amplification is the making of something louder—that is, "raising the volume." However, "raze" means to utterly destroy, as when a city is "razed" by an army. Thus, the best option is "destroy."

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors