ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #301 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ABSCOND

Possible Answers:

Endure

Sate

Inhibit

Flee

Imply

Correct answer:

Flee

Explanation:

"Abscond" and "flee" both mean to run away or escape. "Endure" means to withstand or bear a hardship. "Imply" means to suggest or indicate. "Inhibit" means to restrict or prevent. "Sate" means to satisfy.

Example Question #302 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MIGRATE

Possible Answers:

Flee

Relocate

Retreat

Invade

Occupy

Correct answer:

Relocate

Explanation:

The word “migrate” is derived from the Latin root word for “to move or transport.” Among the options given here, only “relocate” signifies this general sense of the word. This word can apply not only to humans but also to animals. For instance, consider the sentence, “George was quite knowledgeable about the migratory patterns of spotted geese, which relocated themselves to Mexico every winter.” The word “migrate” is related to “immigrate” and “immigrant.”

Example Question #303 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DAWDLE

Possible Answers:

Harry

Draw

Incite

Proliferate

Linger

Correct answer:

Linger

Explanation:

“Dawdle” means delay, linger, or stay somewhere too long, or move too slowly, so "linger" is the best answer, as "linger" means remain in a place longer than one is expected to. As for the other answer choices, “Harry” means annoy or harass; "incite" means cause someone to feel strong emotions or act definitively, often in a negative way; "draw" means illustrate or sketch the image of; and "proliferate" means multiply in number.

Example Question #304 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ASSIMILATE

Possible Answers:

Incorporate

Frequent

Insist

Peak

Embarrass

Correct answer:

Incorporate

Explanation:

To “assimilate” something means to take it over and add it to something else. It is very close in meaning to “incorporate,” which means take in and add into the whole. As for the other answer choices, to "insist" means to encourage someone forcefully to do something your way; "peak," when used as a verb, means to reach a high point; "embarrass" means cause someone to feel ashamed, often in front of others; and "frequent," when used as a verb, means patronize or visit a certain location or establishment often.

Example Question #305 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AMASS

Possible Answers:

Intervene

Tamper

Collect

Interject

Bellow

Correct answer:

Collect

Explanation:

“Amass” means gather or "collect." As for the other answer choices, to “tamper” with something means to interfere with it, or to mess around with it so that it breaks; “interject” means interrupt the flow of a conversation with one's own comments; “intervene” means get involved to stop something from happening; and “bellow” means shout or yell loudly.

Example Question #306 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROCURE

Possible Answers:

Peddle

Demonstrate

Obtain

Furnish

Barter

Correct answer:

Obtain

Explanation:

To “procure” means to get something or to "obtain" something. As for the other answer choices, “furnish” means provide; “peddle” means sell, “barter” means trade, particularly to try and buy something for less money than it is worth, or to obtain something through exchange and not direct purchase; and "demonstrate" means show to be the case.

Example Question #307 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FLUCTUATE

Possible Answers:

Vary

Surreptitious

Hoary

Meticulously

Eerie

Correct answer:

Vary

Explanation:

“Fluctuate” means change in quantity randomly, or "vary." As for the other answer choices, “eerie” means spooky and suggestive of danger; “hoary” means old and having white hair or clichéd; “surreptitious” means stealthy or secretive; and “meticulous” means careful, considering all options, and dedicated.

Example Question #308 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RESTRAIN

Possible Answers:

Damage

Contain

Toil

Locate

Attempt

Correct answer:

Contain

Explanation:

The word "restrain" comes from roots that mean to tie back. It is related to words like "restrict," "restrictions," and "stricture." When we restrain our words, we hold them back so as not to say something nasty. When we physically restrain someone (with "restraints"), we hold them in place so they can't move. In this case, we contain them within a given space or locale. Thus, the best option is "contain."

Example Question #309 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AFFIX

Possible Answers:

Correct

Attach

Include

Harm

Bloat

Correct answer:

Attach

Explanation:

"Affix" means to fasten something to something else and closely matches the common word "attach." "Correct" means right or proper. "Include" means to add something to a group, "bloat" means to make something unduly large, and "harm" means to hurt.

Example Question #310 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TRUNCATE

Possible Answers:

Deviate

Relocate

Augment

Extrapolate

Shorten

Correct answer:

Shorten

Explanation:

"Truncate" means to shorten, to abbreviate. To provide further help, "deviate" means go away from, turn away from; "augment" means enhance, make better; "relocate" means move; "extrapolate" means to take further, to think beyond. 

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