All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #241 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FEIGN
Deceive
Pretend
Vanquish
Lie
Invent
Pretend
When someone feigns illness, he or she pretends to be sick. The word "feign" most directly signifies the act of pretending or dissimulating. Often (likely most of the time), this is done so as to lie. The actual act of pretending is the "feigning." The lying may well just be the reason for the pretending. The two are not the same, so do not be tricked by several of the options that try to lead you to say that they are. Thus, the best option is the simple, "pretend."
Example Question #242 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MODULATE
Liquify
Agree
Regulate
Consult
Devolve
Regulate
The word "modulate" contains the same roots that are found in the related word "moderate." The "mod-" prefix has a rich history, though it generally indicates that something has been measured. Thus, a "moderate" temper is one that has just the right amount of anger, excitement, sadness, and so forth. To "accomodate" is to match the needs of someone else (thus, to meet his or her "measure"). When someone modulates his or her voice, he or she adjusts it to a given situation—thus "measuring" the voice to match the situation. Thus, the best option for this question is "regulate."
Example Question #243 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
RECANT
Delegate
Approximate
Formulate
Coincide
Deny
Deny
The word "recant" comes from two somewhat common roots. The "re-" prefix can mean again. It can also indicate that something turns around (as in re-verse, for instance). The "-cant" portion of the word is derived from the Latin for to sing. Thus, we have words like "chant" and "cantor." When someone recants something, he or she takes back a remark made in the past. Thus, when we say that someone "recants his allegiance to the king of Spain", that person denies that he has such allegiance, though he did have it once upon a time. Although "renounce" would be an even better synonym, the option "deny" is sufficient for this question.
Example Question #244 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BEFUDDLE
Diminish
Obscure
Enlarge
Confuse
Explain
Confuse
"Befuddle" means to cause someone to think unclearly. Of the answer choices only "confuse" is related to unclear thoughts. "Enlarge" and "diminish" both refer to changes in size, getting bigger and smaller respectively. "Explaining" makes a concept clearer which makes it an antonym of "befuddle." "Obscure" is the most similar word after "confuse," but it often refers to physical obstruction of a view rather than making an idea unclear.
Example Question #81 : Synonyms: Verbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
REBUT
Exclaim
Contradict
Slip
Agree
Argue
Contradict
"Rebut" means to prove a claim is false in the course of an argument.
"Contradict" is closer than "argue" because a "rebuttal" is a rhetorical device often used within an argument rather than the argument itself, "agree" is an antonym of "rebut," "slip" means to fall or trip, and "exclaim" means to say something excitedly.
Example Question #2181 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PEDDLE
Reach
Purchase
Sell
Portray
Sentence
Sell
"Peddle" means to sell or to travel around selling something. To provide further help, "sentence" means determine the punishment for; "portray" means depict, show.
Example Question #2182 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SWINDLE
Create
Mollify
Plead
Cheat
Redeem
Cheat
To "swindle" someone means to cheat him or her out of money. To provide further help, "mollify" means sooth, calm, relieve; "redeem" means make right something done wrong; "plead" means beg, urge.
Example Question #2183 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INTERROGATE
Ponder
Question
Advise
Surmise
Replenish
Question
To "interrogate" means to question, to investigate for a crime through questioning. To provide further help, "ponder" means think carefully; "replenish" means refuel, restock; "surmise" means deduce, figure out.
Example Question #2184 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
RUMINATE
Abscond
Abuse
Ponder
Yell
Meander
Ponder
To "ruminate" means to think carefully and deliberately about (something). So the best possible answer choice is "ponder" which has the same meaning. To provide further help, "abscond" means run away with; "meander" means to move in a winding manner, like a river.
Example Question #2185 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INFRINGE
Violate
Embellish
Fetter
Kindle
Ignite
Violate
To "infringe" means to actively break the rules or to actively disturb someone. As such the closest answer choice is "violate." To provide further help, "kindle" means the same thing as "ignite," they both mean to start a fire; "fetter" means shackle, tie to something; "embellish" means to adorn with details.
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All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
