ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning Flashcards: Distinguishing Related Meanings

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Distinguishing Related Meanings, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Choose the word that means "to officially accuse of wrongdoing": indict or indite?

Answer: Indict. Formal charging in legal contexts sets it apart from literary composition.

Flashcard 2: What is the difference between "emigrate" and "immigrate"?

Answer: Emigrate: leave a country; Immigrate: enter a country to live. The difference centers on the direction of movement relative to a country, emphasizing departure versus arrival for residence.

Flashcard 3: Choose the word that means "to intensify a problem": ameliorate or exacerbate?

Answer: Exacerbate. Aggravation heightens negativity, opposed to alleviation.

Flashcard 4: What is the difference between "allusion" and "illusion"?

Answer: Allusion: indirect reference; Illusion: false appearance or trick. Similar spellings but contrasting in reference type, indirect literary nod versus deceptive perception.

Flashcard 5: Choose the word that means "to remove or suppress content": censure or censor?

Answer: Censor. Suppression involves editing objectionable material, not mere criticism.

Flashcard 6: Choose the word that means "to criticize severely": censure or censor?

Answer: Censure. Severe disapproval or rebuke differentiates it from content suppression.

Flashcard 7: What is the difference between "assure," "ensure," and "insure"?

Answer: Assure: reassure a person; Ensure: make certain; Insure: buy insurance. Verbs separated by object and purpose, personal reassurance, guaranteeing occurrence, or financial protection.

Flashcard 8: What is the key difference between "imply" and "infer" in reading comprehension?

Answer: Imply: suggest indirectly; Infer: conclude from evidence. These terms clarify the direction of unspoken communication, with the former from the source and the latter by the interpreter.

Flashcard 9: Choose the word that means "to give up formally": abdicate or abrogate?

Answer: Abdicate. Renunciation typically applies to positions of power, distinguishing it from nullifying agreements.

Flashcard 10: What is the difference between "historic" and "historical"?

Answer: Historic: important in history; Historical: related to past events. Nuance lies in significance, with one implying momentous events and the other general connection to history.

Flashcard 11: Choose the word that means "to make better" rather than "to make worse": ameliorate or exacerbate?

Answer: Ameliorate. Improvement implies positive change, contrasting with worsening conditions.

Flashcard 12: What is the difference between "persecute" and "prosecute"?

Answer: Persecute: harass/oppress; Prosecute: bring legal action against. Verbs with legal connotations but differing in systematic oppression versus formal charging.

Flashcard 13: What is the difference between "discreet" and "discrete"?

Answer: Discreet: tactful/private; Discrete: separate and distinct. Adjectives with same pronunciation but meanings of prudent secrecy versus individually separate.

Flashcard 14: What is the difference between "fewer" and "less" in standard usage?

Answer: Fewer: countable items; Less: uncountable quantity. Usage depends on whether the noun modified is countable or measures quantity without discrete units.

Flashcard 15: What is the difference between "adapt" and "adopt"?

Answer: Adapt: adjust to fit; Adopt: take up or accept as one's own. Verbs confused due to similarity but distinct in modification versus acquisition of ideas or practices.

Flashcard 16: What is the difference between "jealous" and "envious"?

Answer: Jealous: fear of losing what one has; Envious: want what another has. Emotional states differentiated by possession, fear of loss versus desire for others' belongings.

Flashcard 17: What is the difference between "elicit" and "illicit"?

Answer: Elicit: draw out; Illicit: illegal or forbidden. One is a verb for evoking responses, the other an adjective denoting unlawfulness.

Flashcard 18: What is the difference between "principal" and "principle"?

Answer: Principal: main or school leader; Principle: rule or belief. Homophones differentiated by context, with one denoting importance or leadership and the other fundamental truths.

Flashcard 19: Choose the word that means "to write or compose" (often formally): indict or indite?

Answer: Indite. Composition refers to authoring texts, unlike accusatory proceedings.

Flashcard 20: Choose the word that means "to repeal or abolish a law": abdicate or abrogate?

Answer: Abrogate. Revocation specifically targets formal rules or treaties, unlike personal relinquishment.

Flashcard 21: What is the difference between "eminent" and "imminent"?

Answer: Eminent: famous/respected; Imminent: about to happen soon. Adjectives often mixed up, one for prominence and the other for impending occurrence.

Flashcard 22: What is the key difference between "affect" and "effect" in most sentences?

Answer: Affect: usually a verb meaning influence; Effect: usually a noun meaning result. The distinction hinges on part of speech and causality, where one acts as a verb for influence and the other as a noun for outcome.

Flashcard 23: What is the difference between "compliment" and "complement"?

Answer: Compliment: praise; Complement: complete or go well with. Spelling variation reflects distinct concepts of verbal admiration versus harmonious addition or completion.

Flashcard 24: Choose the word that means "to weaken or undermine" rather than "to support": attenuate or buttress?

Answer: Attenuate. Reduction in strength or effect contrasts with reinforcement or bolstering.

Flashcard 25: What is the difference between "continual" and "continuous"?

Answer: Continual: repeated with breaks; Continuous: unbroken without stopping. Distinction based on interruption, recurring with pauses versus seamless persistence.