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 #628 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

The __________ material felt really unpleasant to touch.

Possible Answers:

populous

vast

tranquil

coarse

serene

Correct answer:

coarse

Explanation:

Based on the context you know that the adjective that you are looking for must relate to something that is not pleasant to touch. The correct answer is therefore "coarse." "Coarse" means not soft, rough. Additionally, "serene" means quiet and peaceful; "populous" means heavily populated, full of many people; "vast" means very large; "tranquil" means calm and peaceful.

Example Question #629 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

A glass of warm milk before bed makes me feel __________ and helps me to sleep.

Possible Answers:

courteous

drowsy

industrious

coy

apologetic

Correct answer:

drowsy

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence you know that the correct answer must relate to being sleepy or to falling asleep. The correct answer is therefore "drowsy" which means sleepy, lacking energy, half-asleep. Additionally, "apologetic" means feeling sorry; "industrious" means hard-working; "courteous" means polite; "coy" means shy and reserved and secretive.

Example Question #631 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

The money was __________ and the bank would not accept it.

Possible Answers:

counterfeit

elevated

genuine

permitted

titanic

Correct answer:

counterfeit

Explanation:

If the bank would not accept the money then there must have been something wrong with it. The correct answer needs to reflect this. Therefore the correct answer is "counterfeit" which means not real, fake, fraudulent. Additionally, "genuine" means real, it is an antonym of "counterfeit"; "permitted" means allowed; "titanic" means giant, very big; "elevated" means raised up.

Example Question #632 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

The __________ tower of bricks collapsed easily.

Possible Answers:

brawny

flimsy

sinewy

reliable

sturdy

Correct answer:

flimsy

Explanation:

If the tower collapsed easily then it stands to reason that it cannot have been very secure or stable. Something that is not secure, easily broken or ruined is called "flimsy." The other answer choices are all loosely synonyms of one another and antonyms of "flimsy." For example, "brawny" means strong; "sinewy" means muscular; "sturdy" means stable, reliable, firm.

Example Question #261 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

Peter did not feel the need to have many belongings but, instead, was _____________ with his few possessions.

Possible Answers:

irritated

housed

content

saddled

invested

Correct answer:

content

Explanation:

The general implication is that Peter is happy enough with his current possessions. He does not want anything more really. This means that he is content with them. To be "content" is to be satisfied. Since Peter doesn't want anything more, he is well satisfied with his belongings.

Example Question #634 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The paths by the railroad were quite ______________ to the two old men. When they were children, they would walk along them for hours every day after school, getting to know every detail about them.

Possible Answers:

questionable

emotional

intriguing

familiar

orderly

Correct answer:

familiar

Explanation:

Be careful. All that the sentence says is that the old men got to know every detail of the trails when they were young. This does not indicate anything about their emotional attachment to the trails. We only know that they have an excellent knowledge of them. This means that they are familiar with them. The word is related to "family." Just as family members are "close" to us, so too are familiar things "close" in the sense of being well known.

Example Question #635 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The __________ evening inspired little passion or emotion of any kind.

Possible Answers:

menacing

ominous

vigorous

dreary

compiled

Correct answer:

dreary

Explanation:

In this sentence the evening seems to be boring and uninspiring and dull. It could best be described as "dreary," which means dull, unexciting, lacking energy, uninspiring. Additionally, "compiled" means put together, made a list of; "vigorous" means strong and healthy, full of energy; "menacing" means threatening; "ominous" means warning, suggesting some future danger

Example Question #636 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The teacher told the children to be careful with the baby rabbits because the baby rabbits have __________ bones.

Possible Answers:

brittle

ancient

zany

sturdy

jolly

Correct answer:

brittle

Explanation:

To solve this problem you need to figure out which of these answers is an adjective that describes something fragile that children need to be careful not to break. The correct answer is therefore "brittle," which means not tough or firm, easily broken. Additionally, "sturdy" means tough, reliable, not likely to break or fall; "ancient" means very old; "zany" means wacky, wild, crazy; "jolly" means good-natured, happy and cheerful

Example Question #637 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

His advisors urged caution so that he would not make another __________ decision.

Possible Answers:

prudent

just

delicate

rash

supreme

Correct answer:

rash

Explanation:

To begin with "urged" means strongly encouraged, begged, pleaded and "caution" means carefulness. So, if the subject's advisors suggested that he be extra careful this time it probably means his decision last time was foolish and reckless. The correct answer is therefore "rash" which means done foolishly without proper planning, reckless, imprudent, careless. Additionally, "prudent" means careful, not rash, not foolish; "just" means fair, right, equal and balanced; "delicate" means soft, fine, easily broken; "supreme" means ideal, best.

Example Question #638 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Thousands of men are needed to manage the __________ empire.

Possible Answers:

portly

vast

sacred

oblivious

petite

Correct answer:

vast

Explanation:

If a large number of men are needed to manage the empire than it can be safely assumed to be very large, massive, or "vast." Additionally, "portly" means chubby, fat; "petite" means very small; "sacred" means holy; "oblivious" means unaware.

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