ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Adjectives and Adverbs

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

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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.

Possible Answers:

controversial

solitary

anonymous

blatant

apathetic

Correct answer:

anonymous

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

slender

miniature

terrific

excited

valiant

Correct answer:

valiant

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

zany

calm

mature

stupendous

sneaky

Correct answer:

mature

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

content

terrified

frantic

thoughtful

humble

Correct answer:

frantic

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

happy

assertive

alive

competitive 

fast

Correct answer:

competitive 

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

useful 

intense

delicious

big

complex

Correct answer:

intense

Explanation:

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 __________

Possible Answers:

coordinated

helpful

proper

polite

punctual 

Correct answer:

punctual 

Explanation:

"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.

Possible Answers:

miserable

grotesque

skilled

unlucky

unimportant

Correct answer:

grotesque

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

destroyed

disgruntled

shrunk

intimidated

empowered

Correct answer:

intimidated

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

exotic

laughable

hesitant

aloof

intrigued

Correct answer:

aloof

Explanation:

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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