Synonyms: Determining Part of Speech - ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning

"Ditch" is a word that when used as a noun, means "a narrow channel dug in the ground, typically used for drainage alongside a road or the edge of a field." When used as a verb, "ditch" can mean "provide with ditches," or, informally, "get rid of; give up." Because all of the answer choices are verbs, we will need to consider "ditch" as a verb pick out an answer choice that means something like "provide with ditches" or "get rid of." "Follow," then, cannot be the correct answer, because if one is following someone, they are not abandoning them. "Desert," however, is a word that when used as a verb means "abandon (a person, cause, or organization) in a way considered disloyal or treacherous," and because "desert" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "ditch," "desert" is the correct answer.

All of the answer choices can be used as verbs, so we need to consider "gorge" as a verb. When used as a verb, "gorge" means "eat a large amount greedily; fill oneself with food," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "eat a lot." "Starve," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "starve" means "of a person or animal: suffer severely or die from hunger," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "gorge." "Devour," a verb that means "eat (food or prey) hungrily or quickly," is the answer choice closest in meaning to "gorge," so "devour" is the correct answer.

"Pledge" is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the answer choices can be used as nouns, we will need to consider "pledge" as a noun. As a noun, "pledge" means "a solemn promise or undertaking," so we will need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "a solemn promise." "Treason," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "treason" means either "the crime of betraying one's country, especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government" or "the action of betraying someone or something," both meanings of which are far from meaning "a solemn promise." "Assurance," however, is a noun that means " a positive declaration intended to give confidence; a promise," and because "assurance" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "pledge," "assurance" is the correct answer.

The word "vow" means to promise. "Promise" is the best answer choice because it is a part of the definition of "vow." Considering the other choices, "bow" means bend or curve forward, "say" means speak, and "balk" means stop short and refuse to go on.

"Acclaim," when used as a verb or as a noun, means praise. "Praise" is the best choice as it is a part of the definition of "acclaim." The remaining choices are unrelated to the word "acclaim."

The word "summit" means the highest point of something. The best answer choice is "top" because it is the most similar in meaning to "summit." Considering the other choices, the word "summit" is often used to refer to the top of a mountain, but "summit" does not mean the same thing as "mountain." "Sky" and "summary" are unrelated in meaning to "summit."

The word "transport" means carry an object or a person from one location to another. The word "bear," when used as a verb, means carry as well. "Bear" is the best choice because it shares the same definition as "transport." When none of the answer choices seem obviously correct to you, remember to consider their secondary definitions.

The word "chuckle," when used as a verb, means to laugh. "Laugh" is the best choice because it is a part of the definition of "chuckle." The rest of the choices are all unrelated actions.

The correct answer is "absence." Both "lack" and "absence" mean the status of something not being present or available, especially when it is needed. "Abundance" is an opposite, or antonym, of "lack."

A "barrage" is an overwhelming number of explosions. The best choice is "blast," as means explosion and is the only word that refers to explosions. Considering the other choices, "anger" is a strong feeling of displeasure,"defend" means protect, and "tie" means_connect two strands together with a knot_.

"Source" means where a person or thing comes from, or "origin." A "blizzard" is a large snowstorm. A "companion" is a friend or partner. A "strategy" is a tactic or course of action. An "aroma" is a distinct smell or a fragrance.

To "rebuke" is to criticize or "yell at" someone who has misbehaved. For example, a teacher may rebuke students who have been talking loudly in class or otherwise breaking the rules. Both "cherish," which means love dearly, and "compliment" represent positive emotions, so they are very unlike the term "rebuke." To "ignore" is simply to pay no attention to a person or thing.

Torment can be used as either a verb or a noun. When used as a verb, it means to make someone feel pain. When used as a noun, it means great suffering or pain. To further help you, preserve means save; pardon means forgive; petrify means scare.

A "gorge" is a narrow valley with a stream at the bottom, so "canyon," which means a deep ravine in the ground carved by a river over time, is the correct answer. When used as a verb, "gorge" means eat a great amount in a small amount of time; someone might be said to gorge themselves on food at a buffet if they eat a lot there. While "food" is an answer choice and the verb "gorge" is related to food, "gorge" does not mean "food," so it cannot be the correct answer.

To "counsel" means to advise or to give advice. So, "advise" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "counsel": "detect" means notice; "display" means show; "debate" means argue; and "admonish" means criticize or tell off.

"Endeavor" means to try to do something. To further help you, "withdraw" means pull away, go into hiding; "taunt" means make fun of; "mimic" means copy; "profess" means to admit to something.

"Taunt" means to tease, to make fun of and is similar in meaning to "ridicule." To further help you, "assist" means help; "enlist" means sign up; a "professional" is someone who is paid for what they do; a "mercenary" is a professional soldier who is hired for money.

A "fray" is a fight or a disturbance. The best choice is "fight," as it is a part of the definition of "fray." Considering the other choices, "light" refers to the thing that makes things visible or means not heavy, "atone" means make up for an offense, and "scared" means frightened.

"Toil" is work, and to "toil" means to work.The best choice is "work" because it is a part of the definition of "toil."

"Curb" means keep in check or restrain, so "restrain" is the correct answer. "Detain" means hold in custody, usually for a crime or for trial. "Decipher" means decode or break a code. "Complicate" means make something harder to understand or more confusing. "Prepare" means get ready for something.