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 #788 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Reginald was a(n) ___________ friend who would never abandon his friends. No matter what difficulties arose, he would remain true to those whom he loved.

Possible Answers:

Amazing

Stubborn

Faithful

Standard

Energetic

Correct answer:

Faithful

Explanation:

If nothing else, Reginald must be a loyal friend. In this sense, it is fair to say that he is faithful. Whenever we are faithful to someone or something, we never abandon it. A faithful husband never falls in love with another woman. A faithful friend always helps those whom he or she loves. A faithful worker will stay with an employer for years.

Example Question #789 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Although Richard was very concerned with the mistake, it was actually quite ___________ and would not cause many problems for his friends.

Possible Answers:

Consequential

Minor

Amusing

Enjoyable

Amazing

Correct answer:

Minor

Explanation:

Since the sentence begins with "although", we know that it will express a contrast. It contrasts Richard's concern with the actual reality of the mistake in question. If he is very worried about the mistake, this would seem to indicate that it is a major or large mistake. In contrast to this, it must have been a rather small mistake. Now, the best word to describe such a small or unimportant mistake is "minor." This word can be used to describe anything that is small or undeveloped. Hence, we call a young person a "minor" because he or she has not yet "grown up." That is, he or she has not fully matured. 

Example Question #651 : Parts Of Speech In Word Based Sentence Completions

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

The idea just was not _____________. There was no way that three people could complete so much work in so short a period of time.

Possible Answers:

Available

Friendly

Temporal

Contrite

Practical

Correct answer:

Practical

Explanation:

If we wanted to speak in a very straightforward manner, we could say that the idea proposed was not "doable." This is the basic idea of the second sentence. The word "practical" is used in several different ways. Sometimes, we contrast practical things to theoretical ones. Some people are always thinking of ideas that are too abstract, idealistic, or impossible to be accomplished. Such people are impractical. Whenever we say that someone is "practically minded," we mean that he or she likes to accomplish things—to "get things done." Whenever a task is not practical, it is not "doable." This is the case with the idea mentioned in the first sentence in this question.

Example Question #281 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

Weak from a long-term illness, Thomas _____________ tried to move the chair across the room, only to collapse due to exhaustion.

Possible Answers:

Lightly

Irregularly

Feebly

Sickly

Medically

Correct answer:

Feebly

Explanation:

The most tempting wrong answer for this question is likely "sickly," but that doesn't make much sense regarding someone's ability to move a chair. Instead, the idea is that Thomas made weak attempt to move the chair, meaning that it was a feeble attempt. The adverb "feebly" describes an action that is physically weak, often due to illness or being old. (It can also be used metaphorically, as when we say that a lamp gives off "feeble light.")

Example Question #282 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

Patricia was known for her __________ disposition. She would stay with people who were grieving for hours, hoping to give them some comfort.

Possible Answers:

regular

compassionate

attentive

feminine

intelligent

Correct answer:

compassionate

Explanation:

The second sentence describes Patricia as being a person who is able to suffer with other people. When we can show sympathy in this way, we are "compassionate." Interestingly both "sympathy" and "compassionate" come from similar roots, but from different languages! "Sympathy" comes from Greek roots meaning suffering with. "Compassionate" comes from Latin roots meaning the same thing!

Example Question #283 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

Although the __________ response to math class was anxiety, Jessica did not experience anything of the sort. Indeed, she loved math and found the class relaxing.

Possible Answers:

amazing

stupid

healthy

typical

foolish

Correct answer:

typical

Explanation:

The contrast in this sentence is between Jessica's unique response to math class and what seems to be the normal response—anxiety. When something is "typical" it is ordinary or normal. We can say, for example: "That was his typical greeting; he always said, 'Hey you,' when he ran into someone."

Example Question #284 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

After he nearly died in the accident, the young man realized that he was not ___________ but actually could die.

Possible Answers:

frightened

irregular

mortal

regular

immortal

Correct answer:

immortal

Explanation:

The young man apparently did not think he could ever die. This means that he doubted his mortality. The words "mortal" and "mortality," as well as "morgue" and "morbid" all come from roots having to do with death. The adjective "mortal" means able to die. Thus, the word "immortal" means not able to die. (Remember that the "i-" prefix can mean "not".) The man seems to have realized that he is actually not immortal.

Example Question #285 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

Peter thought that Rachel's words were very __________, hurting his feelings greatly.

Possible Answers:

frightening

abusive

foolish

saddening

exciting

Correct answer:

abusive

Explanation:

It seems that Rachel's words were very hurtful. Therefore, you should choose a word that most closely describes such hurtful action. When we abuse someone, we hurt them—either physically or at least emotionally. In this sentence, the abuse in question is verbal and emotional. Thus, the adjective "abusive" is the best option.

Example Question #796 : Word Based Sentence Completions

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

Since he was __________ that his brother would hit him, Henry stood, waiting for the slapping hand to land on his back.

Possible Answers:

angered

anticipating

frightened

afraid

aware

Correct answer:

anticipating

Explanation:

This sentence does not really indicate much about Henry's attitude. We do not know if he is frightened or angered by his brother's upcoming slap. All that we know is that he is waiting for it to happen. When we think that something is about to happen and then wait for it, we are said to "anticipate" that thing. That is what Henry is being described as doing in this sentence.

Example Question #286 : Adjectives And Adverbs

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

Although William did very well in his English class, he was ___________ of finishing a single math problem, even when he tried to do so for hours.

Possible Answers:

conscious

incapable

reflective

afraid

aware

Correct answer:

incapable

Explanation:

This sentence contrasts William's abilities in English to his lack of abilities in math. Apparently, he cannot do any math problems at all. This means that he has no capability whatsoever. In other words, he is totally incapable of completing such problems.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors