ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Adjectives and Adverbs

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #211 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

The kitten moved __________ around the room, and no one could predict whether it would next dash left, bolt right, scurry under the couch, or run over to the curtains and try to climb them.

Possible Answers:

conveniently

erratically

boisterously

steadily

sluggishly

Correct answer:

erratically

Explanation:

We can infer that because "no one could predict" where the kitten would move next, we need to pick out an adverb for the blank that means something like "unpredictably." So, "steadily" cannot be the correct answer because "steadily" means "at a steady pace or rate," so it means the opposite of "unpredictably." "Erratically," however, is an adverb that means "in a manner that is not even or regular in pattern or movement; unpredictably," and because it best fits the context of the sentence, "erratically" is the correct answer.

Example Question #212 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

The class did not go out for recess because of a(n) __________ thunderstorm; everyone could see the dark storm clouds and occasional lightning bolts in the distance, and thought this was a smart idea.

Possible Answers:

imminent

calming

annual

supposed

unpredicted

Correct answer:

imminent

Explanation:

We can infer from the sentence that the class did not go out for recess because a thunderstorm was about to begin right away, because people could see it in the distance. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "approaching." While "unpredicted" might look like a good answer choice, it would not make sense in the sentence's context because the subjects clearly knew that the thunderstorm was coming and canceled recess, so the storm wasn't "unpredicted." "Imminent," however, is the best choice for the sentence because "imminent" means "about to happen." So, "imminent" is the correct answer.

Example Question #213 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

Butterflies' wings are __________, so you should be gentle and careful not to hurt them if you catch one in a net.

Possible Answers:

delicate

hardened

sturdy

merry

dangerous

Correct answer:

delicate

Explanation:

Since the sentence warns readers to "be gentle and careful not to hurt" butterflies' wings, we can infer that we need to pick out an adjective for the blank that means something like "fragile." "Delicate," an adjective that means "easily broken or damaged; fragile," is the answer choice that best fits the sentence's context, so "delicate" is the correct answer.

Example Question #214 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

Her stellar spelling test was placed __________ on the fridge.

Possible Answers:

accidentally

discreetly

prominently

carelessly

indistinctly

Correct answer:

prominently

Explanation:

The fact that the student's spelling test was placed on the fridge indicates her parents were proud of her and wanted to place it prominently on display.

Example Question #215 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

She stuck ­__________ to her principles and could not be swayed by outsider opinion. 

Possible Answers:

motionless

rigidly

merrily

energetically

absurdly

Correct answer:

rigidly

Explanation:

The second part of the sentence tells us that she could not have her mind changed by other people. This tells us that she must have stuck firmly to her principles. The answer choice that most closely resembles firmly is “rigidly.” "Rigid" means firm, inflexible, unbending. To further help you, "principles" are ideas of what is right that guide our decisions; "merrily" means happily; "swayed" means convinced, changed; "energetically" means with energy; "motionless" means still, without motion; "absurdly" means ridiculously

Example Question #216 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

Despite his many achievements, he remained modest and __________ when other people tried to praise him.

Possible Answers:

stifling

humble

boastful

frigid

deplorable

Correct answer:

humble

Explanation:

This sentence suggests that even though the subject had many successes, he was not arrogant. When someone is not boastful or arrogant we call them “humble.” To further help you, "frigid" means very cold; "stifling" means very hot; "deplorable" means deserving of hatred; "boastful" means bragging.

Example Question #217 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

The meteorologist predicted that a blizzard would hit the Northeast on Saturday, but no snow ended up occurring, so the meteorologist's predictions were clearly __________.

Possible Answers:

perfect

organized

dedicated

inaccurate

temperate

Correct answer:

inaccurate

Explanation:

We need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "wrong" or "inconsistent" because the sentence tells us that the meteorologist's prediction of snow was not correct. So, "inaccurate," an adjective that means not accurate or wrong, is the correct answer choice because it best fits the sentence's context. None of the other answer choices would make sense in the blank space: "organized" means neatly arranged; "dedicated" means devoted; and "perfect" means lacking any errors or flaws or as good as something can be.

Example Question #218 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

The children were __________ that school was cancelled because they were able to spend the day playing in the snow.

Possible Answers:

thrilled

angry

concerned

upset

fearful

Correct answer:

thrilled

Explanation:

We need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "excited" or "elated" because the sentence tells us that the children were able to play in the snow all day long. So, "thrilled," an adjective that means excited, is the correct answer choice because it best fits the sentence's context. None of the other answer choices would make sense in the blank space: "upset" means very unhappy; "angry" means mad; and "fearful" means afraid.

Example Question #219 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

Sarah, a quiet, withdrawn girl who spends most of her time reading, is friends with a boy who lives on her street. Like Sarah, the boy is __________; in fact, the two friends have nearly identical personalities.

Possible Answers:

excitable

athletic

gregarious

talkative

reserved

Correct answer:

reserved

Explanation:

The word that we are looking for is an adjective that describes Sarah's friend. We know that this boy is very similar to Sarah, and the only information that we have about her tells us that she is a quiet, very possibly shy girl. The word "reserved," which means keeping to oneself, is the best choice here. "Gregarious" and "talkative" both refer to people who often socialize with others, which is the opposite of our answer. Finally, since sports are never mentioned, we have no way of knowing whether the two friends are athletic.

Example Question #220 : Adjectives And Adverbs

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

In spite of the persistent efforts of his family to get him excited about Halloween, Jake still felt __________ about the holiday.

Possible Answers:

passionate

thrilled

enthusiastic

hopeful

indifferent

Correct answer:

indifferent

Explanation:

The key words "in spite of" tell us that Jake's family was not able to get him excited about Halloween. Since he isn't excited, he must either feel negatively about the holiday or not care one way or the other. Of the answer choices, all of them are positive feelings except for "neutral," which is our answer. "Neutral" means impartial; it means that Jake has no specific feelings of emotion about this day.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors