ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Verbs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

BUNGLE

Possible Answers:

Consider

Mismanage

Deplore

Depreciate

Announce

Correct answer:

Mismanage

Explanation:

To “bungle” something means to mess it up or "mismanage" it. As for the other answer choices, “deplore” means hate; “depreciate” means decrease in worth; "consider" means think about carefully; and "announce" means declare information publicly for the first time.

Example Question #33 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

COMMEND

Possible Answers:

Falsify

Instruct

Suggest

Require

Laud

Correct answer:

Laud

Explanation:

The word "commend" is found in the very familiar word "recommend." Though we usually use this latter word to mean to suggest, it means even more properly to suggest with praise and approval. The word "commend" means to praise. To "recommend" someone is to praise him or her again—to someone else, perhaps. To "laud" someone is to praise him or her. When someone graduates "cum laude," he or she graduates with praise.

Example Question #34 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

ENDURE

Possible Answers:

Entreat

Die

Vanish

Survive

Harm

Correct answer:

Survive

Explanation:

The word "endure" can have several meanings. One common use means to suffer or undergo. Thus, we say that someone endures massive pain after a surgery. Another use of the word can be, to keep on existing. Thus, we say, "The building endured through many storms." This means, "It continued existing through many storms." Thus, among the options provided, the best is "survive." Do not be tempted by words like "die" or "harm", which tempt you to be confused because of the first meaning discussed above.

Example Question #35 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

TOIL

Possible Answers:

Work

Inquire

Proceed

Labor

Annoy

Correct answer:

Labor

Explanation:

This question is not necessarily very hard, for the word "toil" is rather common; however, the two options "labor" and "work" might make you think that neither of these are correct, for they appear to be synonymous. Don't let this fact trick you! To "toil" means to work hard at something. Technically, the word "labor" implies difficult physical work. Thus, it is a slightly better option than "work." Therefore, this is the best option among those provided. Do not go searching for another option out of confusion over the two options "labor" and "work."

Example Question #36 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

CHIDE

Possible Answers:

Antagonize

Beat

Recall

Irritate

Scold

Correct answer:

Scold

Explanation:

When a parent chides his or her child, he or she scolds the little one. Thus, we could say, "Bob chided his daughter for staying up past her bed time." Of course, two adults could also chide each other: "Gertrude chided Wilfred for his carelessness with the mail delivery." Thus, the best option among those given is "scold", which is basically a direct definition of the word "chide".

Example Question #37 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

PEDDLE

Possible Answers:

Move

Progress

Exercise

Sell

Impress

Correct answer:

Sell

Explanation:

Do not confuse "peddle" with "pedal." This might make you think of biking or other such fun activities! That is not what you are looking for in this question. Instead, the word "peddle" means to sell. It indicates either the kind of selling done by door-to-door salespeople or a kind of illegal selling that happens when, for example, someone attempts to sell stolen goods to someone else. The simple option "sell" is fine for this question, as none of the other options are close to being correct.

Example Question #38 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

CULTIVATE

Possible Answers:

Rural

Pastoral

Complicate

Refine

Adore

Correct answer:

Refine

Explanation:

The word "cultivate" is often used to describe the activities undertaken to prepare and nurture the land for the growing of plants, but it can also be used to describe any process of developing something, especially a skill that a person might have. Thus, someone can "cultivate his or her mind" by reading more. The only acceptable option among the given words is "refine." When someone "refines" his or her mind, he or she improves it and makes it better. Do not be tricked by options like "rural" and "pastoral." These are trying to trick you into picking words that are related to farming only in an indirect manner.

Example Question #39 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

TAUNT

Possible Answers:

Fraternize

Despise

Ridicule

Fulminate

Dislike

Correct answer:

Ridicule

Explanation:

Likely, you know that taunt means to tease. It is possible that several of the options, like "dislike" and "despise" are tempting. Sometimes a person may taunt another person because he or she does not like the person he or she is teasing, but neither of these options are strict synonyms for "taunt." Instead, the best option is "ridicule", which means to mock or to make laughable. (The word comes from the Latin for to laugh. Think about something that is ridiculous—it is certainly an amusing thing!)

Example Question #201 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

BERATE

Possible Answers:

Suggest

Correct

Rebuke

Amend

Interrogate

Correct answer:

Rebuke

Explanation:

When someone berates another person, he or she scolds him or her very strongly. The intensity is a key part of the meaning of the word, so "correct," "amend," and "suggest" are all too weak of words to function as synonyms. The only option that makes sense (and is quite correct, being almost a literal synonym) is "rebuke." To "rebuke" someone is to critique that person strongly for what he or she does.

Example Question #201 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

BELITTLE

Possible Answers:

Criticize

Decline

Disparage

Shrink

Scold

Correct answer:

Disparage

Explanation:

Now, it is not without reason that the word "belittle" has "little" in it, but you must be careful. It is about making a person feel smaller and of less worth. It is not about making something to be physically smaller. Thus, the best option for this is "disparage," which is almost an exact synonym. (Notice, that "belittle" does not have "criticize" or "scold" as good synonyms either. While scolding and criticizing can be used to belittle someone, these are not synonymous with belittling. The essence of belittling someone is making that person feel less important.)

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