All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #201 : Identifying Synonyms
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
ACQUIESCE
distend
dissuade
concur
abdicate
cajole
concur
"Acquiesce" and "concur" both mean to agree or approve. "Dissaude" means to talk out of doing something. "Abdicate" means to give up a right, position, or power. "Cajole" means to attempt to coax or flatter. "Distend" means to bulge or swell.
Example Question #202 : Identifying Synonyms
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
RENEGE
redress
bemoan
default
embezzle
nettle
default
"Renege" and "default" both mean to go back on one's word. "Nettle" means to provoke or upset. "Bemoan" means to express sorrow. "Embezzle" means to steal money, often from an employer. "Redress" means to change or rectify.
Example Question #203 : Identifying Synonyms
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
DESCRY
perceive
overlook
cajole
blandish
dissemble
perceive
"Descry" and "perceive" both mean to discover or behold. "Overlook" means to disregard or neglect. "Blandish" means to flatter or cajole. "Cajole" means to attempt to coax or flatter. "Dissemble" means to disguise or pretend.
Example Question #204 : Identifying Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
DIGRESS
Deviate
Inflame
Compound
Evade
Expunge
Deviate
"Digress" means deviate or move off topic, so "deviate" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "digress": "compound" means make worse or to exacerbate; "evade" means avoid or escape; "expunge" means erase or get rid of; and "inflame" means enrage.
Example Question #205 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CONCUR
nod
agree
gesticulate
argue
embrace
agree
Perhaps you have heard the word “concur” used in the very short expression, “I concur,” meaning, I agree. The word literally means to run with. The “con-” prefix means with and is found in many words such as “concord” and “constant.” The “-cur” portion of the word is derived from the Latin for to run, as is found in words like “current” and “incursion.” Those who “concur” can be said to “run with each other” in the sense of “having ideas in the same direction.” The meaning is perhaps a bit stretched, but it will help you to remember it!
Example Question #206 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EXTOL
Rejoice
Coral
Adulate
Praise
Congratulate
Adulate
The word “expendable” literally means “able to be used” in the sense of “able to be used and then thrown away.” It does not necessarily mean that the item is cheap (though that might be the case). For example, consider the following: “Many packages for lunches have become expendable; people throw them away after using them instead of washing and retaining them.”
Example Question #207 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CORROBORATE
Validate
Execute
Debilitate
Acquiesce
Belittle
Validate
"Corroborate" means to validate or authenticate, so "validate" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "corroborate": "execute" means to carry out a task, accomplish something, or kill someone who has been sentenced to death; "belittle" means criticize in a way that makes the person or thing being criticized seem unimportant; "debilitate" means incapacitate or disable; and "acquiesce" means to agree with some reluctance.
Example Question #208 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EXPOSTULATE
Impinge
Remonstrate
Expunge
Obfuscate
Enervate
Remonstrate
"Expostulate" and "remonstrate" both mean to reason with or argue. "Enervate" means to tire or wear out. "Expunge" means to destroy or obliterate. "Impinge" means to trespass or encroach. "Obfuscate" means to confuse or baffle.
Example Question #209 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EXTOL
Undermine
Neglect
Reassure
Criticize
Praise
Praise
If you extol someone or something, it means you praise that person or thing. For instance, if you extol a dancer, it means you admire or praise the dancer.
Example Question #210 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ASCERTAIN
Censor
Stupefy
Deceive
Determine
Allure
Determine
"Ascertain" means determine or find out, so "determine" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "ascertain": "deceive" means mislead or trick; "stupefy" means stun or greatly surprise; "allure" means attract or lure; and "censor" means delete all or part of something because it is considered inappropriate.
All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
