ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, and Understanding

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

FLATTER:

Possible Answers:

accept

disagree

compliment

scold

criticize

Correct answer:

compliment

Explanation:

If someone flatters someone or something, it means that they compliment or praise that person or thing.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ASSERT:

Possible Answers:

declare

assume

praise

dignify

contradict

Correct answer:

declare

Explanation:

If someone makes an assertion, it means that they make a declaration or declare something in particular.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

A synonym of "ascertain" is __________.

Possible Answers:

deduce

forget

kindle

portray

ingest

Correct answer:

deduce

Explanation:

"Ascertain" is a verb that means "find something out for certain; make sure of." So, "forget" cannot be the correct answer, because it means the opposite of "ascertain." "Deduce," however, is a verb that means "arrive at a fact or a conclusion by reasoning; draw as a logical conclusion," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "ascertain," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #681 : Synonyms

A synonym of "acknowledge" is __________.

Possible Answers:

admit

persuade

deny

limit

undo

Correct answer:

admit

Explanation:

"Acknowledge" is a verb that can mean "accept or admit the existence or truth of," "recognize the fact or importance or quality of," or "show that one has noticed or recognized (someone) by making a gesture or greeting." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "accept," "recognize the importance of," or "show that one has noticed or recognized someone." "Deny," then, cannot be the correct answer because "deny" means " state that one refuses to admit the truth or existence of," making it an antonym of the first meaning of "acknowledge," not a synonym. "Admit," however, is a verb that can mean "confess to be true or to be the case, typically with reluctance," and because "admit" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "acknowledge," "admit" is the correct answer.

Example Question #682 : Synonyms

A synonym of "consider" is __________.

Possible Answers:

deem

limit

rewind

carry

ignore

Correct answer:

deem

Explanation:

"Consider" is a verb that can mean "think carefully about (something), typically before making a decision," "regard (someone or something) as having a specified quality," or "believe; think." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "think carefully about," "regard," or "believe." So, "ignore" cannot be the correct answer because "ignore" is an antonym, not a synonym, of "think carefully about." "Deem," however, is a verb that means "regard or consider in a specified way," and because "deem" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "consider," "deem" is the correct answer.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

A synonym of "enlighten" is __________.

Possible Answers:

mistake

inform

wallow

yell

grant

Correct answer:

inform

Explanation:

"Enlighten" is a verb that can mean "give (someone) greater knowledge and understanding about a subject or situation" or "give (someone) spiritual knowledge or insight." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "give someone greater knowledge" or "give someone spiritual knowledge." "Mistake" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "mistake," when used as a verb, means "be wrong about," not "give someone greater knowledge." "Inform," however, is a verb that means "give (someone) facts or information; tell," and because "inform" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "enlighten," "inform" is the correct answer.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

A synonym of “interrogate” is __________.

Possible Answers:

question

desist

reply

enlarge

memorize

Correct answer:

question

Explanation:

“Interrogate” is a verb that means “ask questions of someone aggressively or formally,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “ask questions of someone aggressively.” That means that “reply” cannot be the correct answer, because “reply” means “say something in response to something someone has said” when used as a verb, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “interrogate.” “Question,” however, is a word that can mean “ask questions, especially in an official context” when used as a verb, and because “question” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “interrogate,” “question” is the correct answer.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

A synonym of “persuade” is __________.

Possible Answers:

coax

mean

hold

tremble

discourage

Correct answer:

coax

Explanation:

“Persuade” is a verb that can mean “to convince someone,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “reason with someone to change their beahvior.” That means that “discourage” cannot be the correct answer, because “discourage” can mean “cause to lose confidence,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “persuade.” “Coax,” however, is a verb that means “to persuade someone gently,” and because “coax” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “persuade,” “coax” is the correct answer.

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

A synonym of “bicker” is __________.

Possible Answers:

adjust

squabble

isolate

disengage

concur

Correct answer:

squabble

Explanation:

“Bicker” is a verb that means “ argue trivial things,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “argue.” That means that “concur” cannot be the correct answer, because “concur” can mean “agree,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “bicker.” “Squabble,” however, when used as a verb, means “quarrel over trivial things,” and because “squabble” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “bicker,” “squabble” is the correct answer.

Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

CONTEND

Possible Answers:

Question

Assume

Challenge

Hide

Correct answer:

Challenge

Explanation:

The word "contend" means to challenge or to compete. "Challenge" is the best choice as it is a part of the definition of "contend" and is often used as a synonym for it.

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