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 #191 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

After spending so much time away from my family, I was very __________ to get home.

Possible Answers:

constrained

resolute

empty

surprised

keen

Correct answer:

keen

Explanation:

Because the speaker spent so much time away from his family, we can assume he was happy or excited to see them. So, this leads us to the correct answer, which is “keen.” To be “keen” means very much wanting to do something. The word “resolute” means certain and sticking to what you believe.

Example Question #192 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

It gets very cold in the winter in New England, and I refuse to go outside in such __________ conditions.

Possible Answers:

significant

hectic

frigid

stifling

comforting

Correct answer:

frigid

Explanation:

From the context of the sentence, you know that the answer choice must mean something like very cold or wintry. This should lead you to the correct answer, which is “frigid.” The word “frigid” means very cold and the word “stifling” means very hot. Something that is “comforting” is something that makes you feel better; “significant” means important; and “hectic” means rushed, happening too quickly, and making you feel nervous.

Example Question #193 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Her friends thought she was very __________, but she liked to think she was merely unique and different.

Possible Answers:

peculiar

lonely

mediocre

average

plentiful

Correct answer:

peculiar

Explanation:

Because the girl liked to think she was special, it is very likely that this sentence is describing an unkind way of saying someone is different. The word “but” tells us that the girl had a different way of thinking about herself than her friends had. So while her friends thought she was weird, she thought she was just “different.” This means that the best answer is “peculiar,” because this means strange or weird. The word “mediocre” means average in a bad way. If you are “lonely,” you are sad that you are by yourself. “Plentiful” means existing in large quantities.

Example Question #194 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

It is quite __________ to do your homework if you want to do well in school.

Possible Answers:

useless

personal

irrelevant

essential

dominating

Correct answer:

essential

Explanation:

You know from your classes that it is important to do your homework if you want to do well in school; this means that the correct answer must mean something similar to “important.” The correct answer is therefore “essential.” “Essential” means needed or highly important. The word “useless” means not having any use or purpose; the word “irrelevant” means not important to a given situation; something “personal” is something that affects you; and someone who is “dominating” is bossy and likes to be in charge.

Example Question #195 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

He was a very __________ man; he looked after those less fortunate and always did the right thing.

Possible Answers:

risky

intense

noble

eager

haughty

Correct answer:

noble

Explanation:

The description of the man tells us that he was a good man who looked after others and acted correctly in the world. This means the answer choice must be “noble,” as someone who is “noble” is brave, values honor, and does the right thing. The word “risky” means having a high chance of failing or going wrong.

Example Question #196 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

She is intelligent and brave, but her __________ is that she is lazy and irresponsible.

Possible Answers:

flaw

intent

puzzle

virtue

claim

Correct answer:

flaw

Explanation:

The fact that the underlined word is something of which "lazy and irresponsible" are examples of means that the correct answer must be “flaw.” A “flaw” is something that is wrong or imperfect about someone. A “virtue” is the opposite of a “flaw”; it is something that is good or honorable about someone. The word “intent” means what you mean to do; the word “claim” means stated idea that is not yet backed up with facts.

Example Question #197 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

It is not very __________ to always be boasting and showing off your accomplishments.

Possible Answers:

shabby

heroic

modest

fraudulent

arrogant

Correct answer:

modest

Explanation:

From the context of the sentence, it is clear we are looking for a word that describes someone who does not boast and is not a show off, so the correct answer is “modest.” “Modest” is the opposite of “arrogant,” which means having a high opinion of oneself as being superior to other people. The word “heroic” means brave and acting like a hero; “shabby” means in poor condition and not looking nice; and "fraudulent" means fake or inauthentic.

Example Question #198 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Marshall never does his chores or homework, demonstrating how __________ he is.

Possible Answers:

entertaining

irresponsible

puzzling

funny

unusual

Correct answer:

irresponsible

Explanation:

If someone does not do his or her chores or homework, those actions demonstrate the trait of being "irresponsible," or unable to be relied on.

Example Question #199 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Jerry is very __________; he has so much money that he does not have to worry about securing a job someday to support himself.

Possible Answers:

wealthy

wary

depressed

uncertain

frustrated

Correct answer:

wealthy

Explanation:

If someone has a lot of money, such that he or she does not ever have to worry about getting a job someday to support him- or herself, the best word to complete the sentence would be "wealthy," which means rich. Therefore, "wealthy" is the correct answer.

Example Question #200 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

Her family sometimes took an __________ route that involved side roads to her grandmother's house if traffic on the main highway was heavy and hard to navigate.

Possible Answers:

apparent

reserve

primary

concluding

alternate

Correct answer:

alternate

Explanation:

The route using side roads to the girl's grandmother's house was presumably a secondary or "alternate" route compared to the "main highway." The other answer choices mean the following: "concluding" is ending; "primary" is main or first; "apparent" is obvious; and "reserve" is something in store.

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