ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #281 : Identifying Synonyms

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

OCCLUDE

Possible Answers:

Enervate

Facilitate

Assuage

Impede

Castigate

Correct answer:

Impede

Explanation:

"Occlude" and "impede" both mean to hinder or block a process. "Facilitate" means to assist the progress of. "Enervate" means to tire or wear out. "Castigate" means to criticize severely. "Assuage" means to soothe or relieve

Example Question #282 : Identifying Synonyms

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

OSCILLATE

Possible Answers:

Abdicate

Levitate

Refuse

Bungle

Fluctuate

Correct answer:

Fluctuate

Explanation:

"Oscillate" means to fluctuate or change back and forth; think of an oscillating fan. "Levitate" means to rise into the air. "Abdicate" means to give up a right, position, or power. "Bungle" means to blunder or mess up. "Refuse" means to deny or say no.

Example Question #283 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TRUNCATE

Possible Answers:

Shorten

Storage

Accumulate

Luggage

Reserve

Correct answer:

Shorten

Explanation:

The word “truncate” comes from Latin roots for “to maim” (to wound by causing a body part to become useless). This word is generally applied metaphorically to mean “to cut short.” For instance, one can say, “The message was truncated unexpectedly, sending only the first half of the contents.”

Example Question #284 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CONJURE

Possible Answers:

Vanish

Witchcraft

Judgment

Fasten

Produce

Correct answer:

Produce

Explanation:

We might often think of “conjuring” in terms of magical tricks. The word actually can mean “to bring to mind,” as in, “The smell of pumpkin pie conjures images of Thanksgiving Day dinner for many American adults.” Likewise, it can have the more general meaning of “to produce unexpectedly,” as in, “I was always amazed that my mother could conjure up the most beautiful Christmas decorations in spite of our dire poverty.” For this reason, “produce” is the best option among those provided.

Example Question #285 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ENERVATE

Possible Answers:

Time

Fortify

Enfeeble

Recite

Dash

Correct answer:

Enfeeble

Explanation:

"Enervate" is a verb that means "cause (someone) to feel drained of energy or vitality; weaken." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "weaken." "Fortify" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "fortify" can mean "strengthen or invigorate (someone) mentally or physically," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "enervate." "Enfeeble," however, is a verb that means "make weak or feeble," and because "enfeeble" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "enervate," "enfeeble" is the correct answer.

Example Question #286 : Identifying Synonyms

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

REFINE

Possible Answers:

Adjudicate

Powdery

Purify

Dusted

Small

Correct answer:

Purify

Explanation:

When something is refined, it is cleansed of any impurities. For instance, one might say, “The water is refined so as to contain no solids by boiling the fluid and capturing only the vapor that rises from it.”

Example Question #287 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ADULTERATE

Possible Answers:

Simmer

Corrupt

Purify

Vex

Matriculate

Correct answer:

Corrupt

Explanation:

The word "adulterate" is a verb that means to corrupt the purity of by adding an impure element to something. The best choice is "corrupt," since it is a part of the definition of "adulterate." Considering the other choices, "purify" is an antonym of "adulterate" that means to remove impurities or corruption, "matriculate" means to register at a college or university, "vex" means to annoy, and "simmer" means heat to a temperature just below boiling.

Example Question #288 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DEVASTATE

Possible Answers:

Refine

Raze

Augment

Limit

Respond

Correct answer:

Raze

Explanation:

The word "devastate" is a verb which can mean to utterly destroy. "Raze," which also means to destroy, is the best choice. Considering the other choices, "augment" means add to, "respond" means react to, and "refine" means make better.

Example Question #289 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ABRIDGE

Possible Answers:

Shorten

Bolster

Excavate

Hallow

Chaperone

Correct answer:

Shorten

Explanation:

To “abridge” a text means to edit it by leaving out parts in order to make it shorter, so "shorten" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “bolster” means improve; “chaperone” means accompany someone or a group in order to make sure that person or group doesn't misbehave; “excavate” means dig up; and “hallow” means make holy.

Example Question #290 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CURTAIL

Possible Answers:

Coda

Prolong

Appraise

Undertake

Limit

Correct answer:

Limit

Explanation:

Since "curtail" is a verb which means "reduce in extent or quantity; impose a restriction on," we need to pick out another verb that means something like "lessen." While "coda" may sound like an attractive answer choice because it means "tail" in Italian and specifically refers to the conclusion of a piece of music, it doesn't mean "lessen," so it can't be the correct answer. Of the listed answer choices, "limit" is closest in meaning to "lessen," so "limit" is the correct answer.

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