ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Verbs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #181 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

ERR

Possible Answers:

Quit

Blunder

Correct

Breathe

Tinker

Correct answer:

Blunder

Explanation:

"Err" is a verb that means to make a mistake. The choice that makes the most sense here is "blunder," since when used as a verb, it shares a similar meaning - to make a mistake. Considering the other choices, "breathe" means to inhale and exhale air, "correct" means  to fix a mistake, and "tinker" means to work to fix something without having any skill.

Example Question #182 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

ABATE

Possible Answers:

Lessen

Convince

Expand

Trick

Bait

Correct answer:

Lessen

Explanation:

The word "abate" is a verb that means to reduce in amount or intensity. The best answer is "lessen," since it shares the same meaning—to reduce. Considering the other choices, "bait" is not an appropriate answer because when used as a verb, it means either taunt or put food in a trap in order to lure animals to it. As a noun, "bait" is something used to attract. The word "trick" means to deceive and "expand" means to increase in extent.

Example Question #183 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

CHANGE

Possible Answers:

Bombard

Mutate

Limit

Convince

Perceive

Correct answer:

Mutate

Explanation:

"Change" is a verb that means to alter the state of something. The best choice is "mutate" since it shares the same definition as "change"—to alter. Considering the other answer choices, "perceive" means actively notice, "convince" means get someone to change their opinion to another one, "limit" means set a certain amount or extent to which one may accumulate or do something, and "bombard" means overwhelm with a great number of something.

Example Question #184 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

AMELIORATE

Possible Answers:

Disprove

Carry

Improve

Antagonize

Infer

Correct answer:

Improve

Explanation:

To “ameliorate” a situation means to improve it, or to make it better, so "improve" is the correct answer. To “disprove” something means to prove that it is wrong or incorrect; "infer" means to come to a conclusion that requires a logical jump from one point to another that may not immediately be obvious; "carry" means transport by picking up in one's arms and walking around; and "antagonize" means provoke.

Example Question #185 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

CONFORM

Possible Answers:

Demean

Forget

Match

Demean

Aggrandize

Justify

Justify

Aggrandize

Correct answer:

Match

Explanation:

"Conform" means adhere to a set standard just as others do or match and agree, so "match" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, "forget" means lose the memory of; "aggrandize" means make seem more important or powerful than something or someone really is; "justify" means explain one's reasons for doing something; and "demean" means insult and degrade.

Example Question #186 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

NECESSITATE

Possible Answers:

Desire

Ascertain

Fasten

Aspire

Entail

Correct answer:

Entail

Explanation:

When one thing “necessitates” another, it requires that the latter thing happen. One event is said to “entail” another when the latter is a necessary consequence of the former. For instance, “Because it requires a good deal of mathematical thought, learning to program a computer almost always entails becoming proficient at certain types of mathematics as well.”

Example Question #187 : Synonyms: Verbs

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

DIVEST

Possible Answers:

deprive

goad

maintain

beguile

wane

Correct answer:

deprive

Explanation:

"Divest" and "deprive" both means to dispossess or take off. "Maintain" means to care for or keep up. "Wane" means to diminish or lessen. "Goad" means to egg on or incite. "Beguile" means to fool or charm

Example Question #188 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

CONCOCT

Possible Answers:

poison

instill

stir

fabricate

boil

Correct answer:

fabricate

Explanation:

The word “concoct” most generally means to make by combining together a number of parts or ingredients. For instance, one could refer to a stew or a potion as a “concoction.” The word can take on the further meaning of something that has been put together untruthfully, as when someone concocts a story to cover up the truth. The word “fabricate” does literally mean to make, but it also can have the same negative sense of to come up with a false tale.

Example Question #20 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

CONFER

Possible Answers:

foreshadow

simulate

meddle

grant

Correct answer:

grant

Explanation:

Confer means to grant or bestow something.

Example Question #189 : Synonyms: Verbs

Answer the following sample question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

 

ABDICATE

Possible Answers:

relinquish

assuage

dissemble

manifest

arbitrate

Correct answer:

relinquish

Explanation:

"Abdicate" means to relinquish or give up power, position, or authority. "Manifest" means to make clear or obvious. "Assuage" means to soothe or relieve. "Dissemble" means to disguise or pretend. "Arbitrate" means to achieve a settlement or straighten out

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