All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #26 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SEDATE
Forget
Lazy
Furnish
Tranquilize
Ambulate
Tranquilize
The word “sedate” comes from Latin roots that give us many, many English words dealing with sitting. For instance, think of “sedentary,” “sediment,” and even “residence.” The word “sedative” could be said to mean literally “something that puts someone in the condition of sitting still.” (This is, of course, not the exact English.) When we "tranquilize" someone, we likewise make him or her to be sedative. The word “sedate” can be used either as an adjective or a verb. As the latter, it finds a good synonym in “tranquilize.”
Example Question #27 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SIGIL
Prophet
Gesture
Symbol
Alarm
Oracle
Symbol
This question is really meant to trick you if you do not know the word “sigil,” so just eliminate answers that must be wrong. The words “alarm” and “gesture” are attempting to make you confuse “sigil” with “signal.” The words “oracle” and “prophet” are trying to make you read “sigil” as “sibyl." A "sigil" is a type of painted symbol, sometimes used for magical purposes and sometimes just used as a symbol for someone’s authority (as in a sigil of a kingdom).
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GARNER
Accumulate
Bedeck
Decorate
Forge
Embellish
Accumulate
Generally speaking, people use “garner” to mean “gather,” as when one says, “He garnered support for the petition, hoping to have a majority by the time of the vote.” To "accumulate" things is to gather them together, and this is adequately synonymous with “garner.” A number of the options are trying to make you confuse “garner” with “garnish,” meaning to decorate.
Example Question #31 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MOCK
Abuse
Replicate
Imitation
Destroy
Maltreat
Imitation
We often think of the word “mock” as a term of abuse: “The children all mocked the new student because of his thick glasses.” However, directly deals with the laugher or ridiculed involved (though it is also often in a nasty way). While several of these options (like “maltreat” and “abuse”) would be options if no better choice were available, the word “imitation” is best. “Mock” can be used as an adjective meaning “imitation,” as when one speaks of “mock leather” that is cheaper to buy than real leather.
Example Question #32 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GRAPHIC
Detailed
Cartesian
Baneful
Beautiful
Photography
Detailed
When you see the word “graphic,” you likely think of a picture on your computer or in a magazine. This is a true use of the word when it is a noun. However, it can also be an adjective, meaning several things. It can merely mean something like related to art that can be seen. This clearly is related to the aforementioned use of “graphic” as “image.” It can also describe something that provides a detailed account of something. Hence, you could say “a graphic description,” meaning a very lively and detailed description.” This is why “detailed” is the correct answer. The others do not provide an adequate synonym form. A graphic is not "photography," so this can be eliminated immediately. The word “Cartesian” is attempting to get you to think of a Cartesian graphing plane, like what you use in algebra class. However, that is not what “graphic” means either. Something that is graphic might be “beautiful,” but not necessarily. Therefore, the humble answer “detailed” suffices.
Example Question #32 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
QUARTER
Money
Select
Finances
Destroy
Region
Region
The word “quarter” has many uses, many related to the sense of being “one-fourth” of a larger whole. Among these options, do not be tempted by words like “money” or “finances,” which are merely superficial ploys to try to get you to choose something related to the American coin. Sometimes, the word “quarter” is used to describe a district or area in a larger geographical region. For instance, one sometimes speaks of the “Slovak quarter” of a city perhaps because many Slavs moved there, thus giving that section a certain character.
Example Question #33 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
QUARTER
Inexpensive
Money
Cheap
Select
Housing
Housing
The word “quarter” has many uses, many related to the sense of being “one-fourth” of a larger whole. Among these options, the only matching word is “house.” At first, this might seem strange, but “house” can be used as a verb meaning “to provide living / storage space.” In the American Constitution, the third amendment places restrictions on the government’s ability to force citizens to house soldiers, whether in peace or in war. Observe how it uses ‘quarter’ in this sense: “No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.”
Example Question #34 : Synonyms
Temper most closely means __________.
exultation
exhilaration
strengthen
despot
overbearing
strengthen
Although we think of “temper” as having to do with someone’s disposition (or the state of being angry in particular), the word does have the additional use of to harden. The word is related to Latin roots meaning to mix. When one makes “tempered steel,” it is heated and cooled in order to change its hardness. While it is heated, other materials might be added to the steel to alter its condition. Among the options, the only one that matches this sense is “strengthen.” The other options appear to deal with “temperament,” but none of them are general enough even to fit that usage.
Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
FATHOM
invocation
fidelity
mettle
fallow
depth
depth
"Fathom" and "depth" are synonyms. "Fallow" means a cultivated area left unplanted. "Fidelity" means loyalty or trustworthiness. "Invocation" means a prayer or appeal. "Mettle" means boldness or strength of character.
Example Question #35 : Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GOSSAMER
Incessant
Exuberant
Delicate
Inferior
Contrite
Delicate
“Gossamer," when used as a noun, means a very fine spiderweb. When used as an adjective, this word means fine, lightweight, fragile, and gauzy, so "delicate" is the correct answer. "Incessant" means non-stop; "inferior" means worse in quality than something else; "contrite" means feeling guilty; and "exuberant" means enthusiastic and energetic.
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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
