All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
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.
SUCCUMB:
appease
yield
concur
acquiesce
sanction
yield
If someone succumbs, it means they yield or surrender; an example is succumbing in battle.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.
AMELIORATE
grind
improve
quiet
provoke
improve
Ameliorate means to make better or improve.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
USURP
truncate
donate
abolish
settle
seize
seize
"Usurp" means to take without permission. "Truncate" is incorrect because it means to reduce, "donate" means to give away, and abolish means to get rid of. "Seize" is the only possible answer choice, which means to take.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
OBVIATE
preclude
scrutinize
quip
pulverize
ruffle
preclude
"Obviate" and "preclude" both mean to make unnecessary. "Pulverize" means to smash or destroy. "Quip" means to make a witty remark or retort. "Ruffle" means to upset or irritate. "Scrutinize" means to examine closely.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
JEOPARDIZE
incite
imperil
jettison
warp
garner
imperil
"Jeopardize" and "imperil" both mean to put at risk or in danger. "Jettison" means to eject or expel. "Garner" means to collect or accumulate. "Incite" means provoke or inspire to action. "Warp" means to distort or cause to be misshapen.
Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ESCHEW
ignore
forgo
disdain
spurn
overlook
forgo
The word “eschew” is a rather strange English word meaning to avoid the use of (something) or to forgo the use of. For instance, it would be used in a sentence like, “Since Harold had allergic reactions to all kinds of strawberries, he chose to eschew them entirely, rather than risk any contact with the potentially deadly fruits.”
Example Question #2271 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EASE
angst
intuition
juxtapose
mitigate
cater
mitigate
The crucial thing to realize when approaching this problem is that "ease" can function either as a noun or as a verb. We have both nouns and verbs listed in the possible answer choices, so it's important to consider each of the word's different meanings. As a noun, "ease" means a lack of difficulty; neither "angst" nor "intuition" match that meaning. As a verb, "ease" means lessen the severity of something bad. As "mitigate" means cause to become less severe, it is the best answer choice.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MITIGATE
Aggravate
Assuage
Inure
Rouse
Anodize
Assuage
"Mitigate" and "assuage" both mean to diminish or lighten. "Aggravate" means to annoy or irritate. "Rouse" means to wake or stimulate. "Anodize" means to gild or encrust. "Inure" means to accustom or acclimate.
Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
USURP
Supplant
Stipulate
Recant
Relinquish
Repine
Supplant
"Usurp" and "supplant" both mean to take over. "Recant" means to take back something said. "Relinquish" means to give up or let go. "Repine" means to complain or fret. "Stipulate" means to decide on conditions.
Example Question #2271 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SUSTAIN
Kindle
Suffer
Break
Bumble
Crumble
Suffer
"Sustain" is a verb with a variety of meanings, including "strengthen or support physically or mentally," "cause to continue or be prolonged for an extended period or without interruption," "undergo or suffer something unpleasant, especially an injury," or "uphold, affirm, or confirm the justice or validity of." Neither "crumble" nor "break" can be the correct answer because each word is an antonym of the second meaning of "sustain," "cause to continue or be prolonged for an extended period or without interruption." "Suffer," however, is synonymous with the third meaning of "sustain," "undergo or suffer something unpleasant, especially an injury." Because "suffer" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "sustain," it is the correct answer.
All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources
