All ISEE Lower Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #171 : Adjectives And Adverbs
Choose the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.
The author chose to remain __________ so that no one would be able to identify him.
controversial
solitary
anonymous
blatant
apathetic
anonymous
The word we are looking for is one that would explain why the author cannot be identified. The correct answer choice is "anonymous," which means not identifiable by name. Since the author did not use his name, "no one would be able to identify him." None of the other answer choices would make sense in the blank: "apathetic" means not showing emotion; "blatant" means obvious; "controversial" describes an issue that will lead to public disagreement; and "solitary" means alone.
Example Question #172 : Adjectives And Adverbs
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
The __________ knight rode into battle without fear.
slender
miniature
terrific
excited
valiant
valiant
From the context of the sentence, you know that the action carried out by the knight was "done without fear." This suggests that the answer choice must mean something like “brave” or “bold.” This should lead you to pick the word “valiant,” which means brave or honorable. This is also a word often used to describe “knights,” which is an additional clue. The word “slender” means thin or skinny and the word “miniature” means very small.
Example Question #173 : Adjectives And Adverbs
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
His mother said he was not __________ enough to be allowed to go to the movies with his friends since he rarely acted his age and couldn't be trusted to be home on time.
zany
calm
mature
stupendous
sneaky
mature
Because the boy "rarely acted his age and couldn't be trusted to be home on time" (at least according to his mother), you know that the word that goes in the blank is likely to be a word meaning grown up or responsible. The correct answer is therefore “mature,” which means able to be trusted with adult responsibilities.
Example Question #174 : Adjectives And Adverbs
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Clara's mother was getting quite __________; she was running around the house trying to find where she had left her car keys and they were very late for school.
content
terrified
frantic
thoughtful
humble
frantic
The children are late for school and their mother can't find her car keys, so it makes sense that the mother would be feeling anxious. This should lead you to the correct answer, which is “frantic.” The word “content” means happy with things as they are; someone who is “thoughtful” is kind and thinks about other people; and “humble” means not boastful about your skills.
Example Question #175 : Adjectives And Adverbs
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Eleanor was feeling very aggressive and __________ on the soccer field; she would do whatever it took for her team to score.
happy
assertive
alive
competitive
fast
competitive
In this sentence, we know that Eleanor wants her soccer team to score a goal, and that she feels something similar to "aggressive," which precedes the conjunction "and." Therefore, the correct answer will be similar to "aggressive." Here, the most similar word to "aggressive" is "competitive," which is therefore the correct answer.
Example Question #176 : Adjectives And Adverbs
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
While most chefs make the soup with one tablespoon of salt, Jose made his soup with three tablespoons of salt because he wanted a more __________ taste of salt.
useful
intense
delicious
big
complex
intense
In this sentence, increasing the salt of the soup will increase how salty its taste is. As a result, the increased salt will make that salty taste more "intense." "Intense" means to be very strong or overt in a particular quality. Therefore, "intense" is the correct answer.
Example Question #177 : Adjectives And Adverbs
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
One of my favorite things about Lauren is that she always arrives right on time for her meetings; she is very __________.
coordinated
helpful
proper
polite
punctual
punctual
"Punctual" means always on time. Given that the sentence describes Lauren as always arriving at the appropriate time for her meetings, "punctual" is the best word that can be used to complete this sentence, given the answer choices.
Example Question #178 : Adjectives And Adverbs
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Quasimodo is a character who is very __________, as he has a deformed face, a hunch in his back, and an ugly eye.
miserable
grotesque
skilled
unlucky
unimportant
grotesque
Quasimodo is described as having a deformed face, an ugly eye, and a hunch in his back. These descriptors indicate that he is extremely unattractive. The blank in the sentence should be a word that conveys this information. "Grotesque" means very ugly in appearance. Therefore, it is the best word that can be used to complete the sentence.
Example Question #179 : Adjectives And Adverbs
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Many students feel __________ by the professor because he likes to show off his knowledge and often corrects his pupils in ways that make them feel small and insignificant.
destroyed
disgruntled
shrunk
intimidated
empowered
intimidated
When someone is made to feel afraid of another person because of that person's power, the best word descriptor is "intimidated." Given that the students feel afraid of the professor's knowledge (and his tendency to use that knowledge to correct them in ways that make them feel insignificant), "intimidated" is the best answer choice.
Example Question #178 : Adjectives And Adverbs
Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.
Whenever I try to have a conversation with Greg, he acts very __________ and distant, often seeming completely uninterested in whatever I have to say.
exotic
laughable
hesitant
aloof
intrigued
aloof
When someone acts uninterested in another person and appears distant, they are acting in a way that is "aloof." This word means not caring about what another person says in a way that is somewhat rude. Given the definition of "aloof" and the context of this sentence, it is the best answer.
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