All ISEE Middle Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
REMEDY
Fix
Sicken
Worsen
Deteriorate
Fix
You might already know that the word "remedy" can refer to a treatment for an ailment or injury. In that case, however, "remedy" is used as a noun. When this word is instead used as a verb, its meaning becomes slightly different. Here, to "remedy" something means to correct it, and "remedy" generally is used to refer to a situation that has gone wrong. Our clear answer, then, is "fix." The three answers that remain are antonyms, since they refer to the act of making a condition worse.
Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Synonyms: Choose the word or phrase that most closely matches the word in capital letters.
AVERT
Prevent
Irate
Suppress
Desist
Abrasive
Prevent
“Avert” means turn away or prevent. To provide further help, “desist” means stop; “abrasive” means rude; “irate” means angry; “suppress” means hold down, conceal.
Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
APPROVE
Ignore
Ruin
Accept
Bash
Accept
"Approve" is a verb that means accept or agree to, so the answer choice closest in meaning is "accept," a verb that means agree to. Considering the other answer choices, none are close in meaning to "approve": "reject," when used as a verb, means refuse to accept or deny; "bash," when used as a verb, means hit or pummel, especially in the case in which an object is used to do the hitting; and "ruin," when used as a verb, means destroy.
Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
BARTER
Sidle
Rent
Borrow
Exchange
Sneak
Exchange
To "barter" is to trade or "exchange" one thing for another. The other words do not match the connotation of "barter" as well. "Renting" indicates borrowing; "sneaking" is stealthily lurking around; and "sidling" is moving secretly.
Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SQUANDER
Flourish
Cease
Waste
Quell
Tamper
Waste
"Squander" means waste or spend unwisely, so "waste" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "squander": "flourish" means succeed or thrive; "quell" means crush or suppress; "cease" means finish or stop; and "tamper" means interfere or disrupt.
Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ACQUIRE
Release
Reverse
Abstain
Obtain
Ask
Obtain
To "acquire" means to get, obtain, or buy, so "obtain" is the synonym.
Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
A synonym of "usurp" is . . .
oversee
mandate
seize
handle
approve
seize
"Usurp" is a verb that means "take a position of power or importance illegally or by force." While "oversee," "approve," and "mandate" might all look like potentially correct answers because they all have to do with positions of power, only "seize" ("take hold of suddenly and forcibly" or "take forcible possession of") is close in meaning to "usurp," so "seize" is the correct answer.
Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
RATIFY
embark
invalidate
endorse
prototype
goad
endorse
"Ratify" means to give legal or official approval to, so "endorse" is the best choice. "Invalidate" actually has the opposite meaning, while "prototype" means a preliminary model of an invention built before the actual invention; "goad" means encourage or prod; and "embark" means set of on a trip, usually one made by ship.
Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
DRUDGE
Pull
Play
Begrudge
Toil
Dig
Toil
"Drudge" means work diligently at a task, often for a prolonged period of time. "Toil" means work hard as well. Therefore, "toil" is the correct answer.
Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
SPEARHEAD
Trample
Follow
March
Lead
Lead
To "spearhead" something, like a project, means to lead it. Imagine the tip of a spear piercing its target; the rest of the spear follows the head's lead. So, "lead" is the correct answer.