ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #851 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CONFISCATE

Possible Answers:

Remove

Attend

Desire

Manage

Apprehend

Correct answer:

Remove

Explanation:

When an item is "confiscated," it means the item is taken away; a common instance of "confiscation" is when a parent takes away a toy due to bad behavior from a child; therefore, the closest word in meaning is "remove." The other words have definitions as follows: "apprehend" is to capture; "attend" is to be present; and "manage" is to organize.

Example Question #852 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RECUR

Possible Answers:

Recycle

Repeat

Occur

Relapse

Reuse

Correct answer:

Repeat

Explanation:

An event that "recurs" continually happens or "repeats" itself. "Recycle" often refers to environmental reusing; "reuse" is using something again and again; "occur" refers to something that happens once; and "relapse" is deterioration.

Example Question #35 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

PROVOKE

Possible Answers:

Find

Underscore

Cause

Perform

Slide

Correct answer:

Cause

Explanation:

"Provoke" means to stimulate, give rise to, or cause something.

Example Question #853 : Identifying Synonyms

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

REMUNERATE

Possible Answers:

Steal

Jealous

Responsive

Pay

Withhold

Correct answer:

Pay

Explanation:

"Remunerate" is a verb meaning "to pay someone for services or work done." If you don't know the definition of this word, you can still get to the correct answer-- jealous and responsive are both adjectives, and words ending with "-ate" in English can often be verbs. Withhold and steal are both verbs, but they both are connected to taking something away, rather than giving. So in this case, "pay" is the best answer.

Example Question #854 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase that best matches the word in capital letters. 

MANUFACTURE

Possible Answers:

Trade

Attempt

Vend

Make

Insist

Correct answer:

Make

Explanation:

To "manufacture" something means to make, to build, to create. To provide further help, "vend" means sell; "insist" means forcefully maintain something is right

Example Question #855 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RECTIFY

Possible Answers:

Reduce

Redo

Raise

Overestimate

Correct

Correct answer:

Correct

Explanation:

"Rectify" means to fix or to correct. For example, one might write, "After the mother had yelled inappropriately at her child, she apologized, hoping to rectify the sitaution." So, "correct" is the correct answer.

Example Question #857 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DOMINATE

Possible Answers:

Discover

Unearth 

Topple

Support

Control 

Correct answer:

Control 

Explanation:

To "dominate" means to conquer, or to "control."

Example Question #856 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TERMINATE

Possible Answers:

Interject

End

Withhold

Commence

Linger

Correct answer:

End

Explanation:

To “terminate” means to finish, end, or conclude, so "end" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “commence” means begin; "interject" means interrupt a conversation or other continuous communication with something one says; "linger" means remain in a place longer than expected; and “withhold” means hide or refuse to provide information.

Example Question #857 : Identifying Synonyms

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

OPTIMIZE

Possible Answers:

Explain

Improve

Rupture

Descend

Inhibit

Correct answer:

Improve

Explanation:

“Optimize” means make something as good as it can possibly be, making “improve” the best synonym amongst the given answer choices. As for the other answer choices, “descend” means go down, “rupture” means break or burst; “inhibit” means slow down or prevent; and "explain" means provide details about something so someone else can better understand it.

Example Question #858 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ELECT 

Possible Answers:

Decide

Campaign

Political

Canvass

Speak

Correct answer:

Decide

Explanation:

For most people, "elect" and "election" are words related directly to the political process. We think of electing senators and presidents and speak of the next "election cycle." These meanings are not improper, but they are only a limited application of the more general meaning of "elect". To "elect" literally means to choose. When we elect a president, we choose that person. However, we can also say that we elect to do something or other. For example consider the sentence, "Peter elected to stay home instead of going out for dinner." This means that he chose to stay home. Thus, the best option provided here is "decide".

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